1 Corinthians, Chapter 14
© Copyright 2002 Darroll Evans, all
rights reserved
The opening words of this chapter are
unfortunate, because they belong at the end of chapter 13.
Because love is the greatest of the three
(faith, Hope, and love)---we should ‘follow after
love."
Then, chapter 14 begins.
Paul uses this chapter to set the Church in
order.
We should desire all the spiritual gifts, but
especially that we are able to prophesy.
Where does that place the theologians that
say the prophecy has ended?
Men may speak in tongues, but its use is
limited.
True New Testament prophecy is uplifting to
the entire
One of the uses of "tongues" is to
edify yourself, the spiritual you.
It might be nice if all Christians spoke in
tongues, but the implication in verse 15 is that all do not.
Paul desires all to be bold enough in the
Spirit to prophesy.
Public "tongues" is valid for
corporate use only if it is interpreted.
Private “tongues” is often not interpreted,
but it is edifying to the individual spirit.
The implication of this section is that
tongues should be limited.
That also indicates that "tongues"
may not be a human native language.
You may find this radical, but all teaching
in the Church should be the result of divine revelation, biblical studies,
Spirit inspired prophecy, or Church doctrine.
Many---too many Pastors are Sunday morning
psychologists.
Paul often used athletic symbols as teaching
tools.
Here he uses music.
I have noticed that music sounds fuller and richer
when all the musicians are playing together under One Conductor.
Are you playing in God’s symphony or are you
out alone playing an improvised solo?
In the old west moves, nothing was so
horrible to my ears as a bugler playing charge out of tune and out of meter.
Many years ago, at the end of a practice, the
conductor asked if there were any questions.
Being somewhat bold, I raised my hand.
The conductor pointed to me and I asked,
"Is the orchestra going to tune up for the performance?"
You might think that musicians tune up every
time.
You would be wrong about that bunch.
There is nothing wrong with preparation and
practice.
What if your Church pianist/organist never
practiced?
He/she might not have the job too long.
There are many voices in the world seeking to
be heard.
The various public voices seem to have
something to say, but not all are worthy of being heard.
V. 2--Technically, a barbarian was a person
that did not speak Greek.
Paul quickly returns to his theme of desiring
spiritual gifts.
Paul gave the reason for that desire as being
able to help the Church.
The reason is still valid.
The word "unknown" in verse 13 is
added, but is there by inference.
There is a protocol in Church, but all too
often the Holy Spirit does not fit into the protocol.
Is the Holy Spirit welcome in your Church, or
have things been so structured for years that there is no place for Him?
Here we are told that when Paul prayed his
understanding was “unfruitful”.
V. 14---do things that are fruitful.
How can we pray fruitfully if our prayers are
unfruitful?
Paul tells us that when we pray with the
Spirit we need an interpreter!
Obviously if we understood the words of our
Spirit prayer we would not need an interpreter!
When Paul prayed with the Spirit, he spoke a
language that he did not know!
Fruit does not grow on dead trees!
Paul told us that he prayed both “with the
Spirit” and “with understanding” (v 15)!
He admitted that when he prayed in the Spirit
he needed interpretation. In essence Paul did not humanly understand what he
was saying when he spoke in tongues.
Most people do not understand their spiritual
gifts.
When properly used, the gifts are for our
benefit.
When the Holy Spirit takes up residence with
us, He takes up residence!
The Spirit is with you when you take a shower
in the morning, or brush your teeth.
He is with you when you go to sleep and when
you arise the next day.
If the Holy Spirit dwells within you, there is
no moment of any day that He is not there to guide and assist you in your life.
But, there is another part of the Spirit-led
life that most do not understand.
God’s gifts to you are now your possessions.
That is why the Spirit is grieved when
children of God abuse and misuse the gifts He has given them.
1 Corinthians 14: 32---And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the
prophets.
I will address this further later in the
chapter, but for now---believe it!
We can offer praises to God both in the spirit
and in the physical world.
Both are acceptable to Him.
How can we agree with spiritual things that
we do not understand?
In a corporate setting it is best to pray
with understanding so that other may join us in agreement.
Paul had put away "childish things"
(1 Corinthians 13:11). And yet, he spoke in tongues more that all others.
That single statement takes tongues out of
the "childish" realm and puts it into the realm of the Spirit-led.
While speaking in "tongues" has a
place in the body of Christ, it must be explained that it is not useful in all
circumstances.
Paul would rather speak five words in a
locally known language then to speak ten-thousand in some unknown language—be
it heavenly or earthly.
I Love verse 20! Paul says plainly,
"grow up!"
Far too often a Church is fed on emotion and
not the Spirit.
Although, when we understand what Christ has
done for us we may indeed be emotional, if we are led only by emotion we will
be misled!
Personal
translation of verse 20: “Brothers {in Christ} don’t be childish in
your understanding. Contrary to that be innocent! And, in you
understanding, become mature.”
Verse 21 is Paul’s paraphrased reference to
Isaiah 28:11-12.
Personal paraphrasing of Scripture comes from
Jewish tradition and is carried on in Synagogues today
In this section Paul may leave some behind.
Tongues and prophecy are signs to different
groups at various times.
“Tongues” is primarily for unbelievers, while
prophecy is primarily for believers.
By why?
Of the two, tongues and interpretation is
more pointed and personal!
Prophecy is a non-starter for those who do not
believe! It requires insight and spiritual
understanding!
Re-read verse 26.
The true 1st Century Church was
interactive!
Far to
many Churches today are one-dimensional.
Far too many Christians consider Church to be
a "sitting-on-the-pew" time.
Unfortunately most of those that want it that
way are Pastors.
Verses 26-30 are 1st Century rules
of worship.
How many Churches follow them today?
Does the word "zero" come to
mind?
Let me assure you that Paul did not write or
say, "Ye all may prophesy."
The reason I am so certain is because he
wrote it in Greek and he could not speak English.
"May" (Gr. dunasthe/dunasqe) indicates that Spirit-led Christians have the power, rights
ability, and qualifications to prophesy.
The reason we may all participate is so all
will learn, and be comforted by the words God gives us.
Preaching may be prophetic, but all preaching
is far from prophetic.
Let’s discuss prophecy. "Jesus is coming
soon" is not a prophetic statement.
"Jesus is coming back next
Thursday" is.
So, how do you know that it is accurate?
Just wait and see!
When something passes into the realm of
commonly held Church knowledge it ceases to be a prophetic utterance.
Again, verse 32 says explicitly that the
spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
If you have a ministerial gift, it is yours
to use.
In the case of prophecy, one need not study a
brother/sister to find out what he/she needs to hear.
In fact it is better if there is not prior
knowledge.
The Prophet just opens up, and he/she is as
surprised by the utterance as the recipient.
If you wish to prophesy, read Jeremiah
23:15-40 before you open your mouth.
What a Prophet speaks may be his
decision.
What the Prophet says is totally God’s
decision, those who speak in the name of the Lord when He as
not given them anything to say are skating on thin
ice.
God is not the author of confusion or
ignorance.
God wants us to be aware of His gifts and
their proper use.
He gives us peace in their proper use.
Verses 34-35 reflect the activities in the
Synagogues of that day, and some today.
Many Christians of Paul’s day were Jews or
attendees of Synagogues.
They could be chaotic with various
discussions going on at the same time.
Churches operated under different rules.
Open discussion during services was
discouraged.
In some cases Jewish women were teachers to
their husbands.
Personally, I would rather listen to one
sentence spoken by a Spirit-filled woman, than to spend an entire year trying
to learn from some non-Spirit filled male teacher (no matter how well educated
he seems).
There are still many religious
Neanderthals attending Church.
If it were not for Christian women, the
Church would have died centuries ago.
God chose a woman to carry the first message
that Christ had risen.
Make certain that your ego does not take
precedence over the Spirit.
In other places God says that the Holy Spirit
will lead you.
However, to the Corinthians He says, "If
any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant."
The Bible explicitly says do not forbid
speaking in tongues!
Many Churches today in the biblical ignorance
forbid speaking in tongues.
They tell us the tongues are a known
language.
1
Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with
the tongues of men and of angels,
but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. You may know French, but what does the
language of an angel sound like?
The Bible says to "covet" to
prophesy.
Does your Church follow the rules?
Most folks read verse 40 and miss it!
Verse 40 says that all things should be done
decently and in order.
The heart of verse 40 is "Let all
things be done!"
Of course things should be done decently and
in order, but they should be done!