1 Corinthians 14:1-12 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is 1 Corinthians 14:1-12. Let’s go!
1 Corinthians 14:1 (NIV)
1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
On verse 1: In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul has just finished showing us what is “the most excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:31): it’s “the way of love” (v1). But he also tells his church in Corinth to “eagerly desire spiritual gifts” (v1). In other words, there are two things we should seek: (1) to love people with excellence and (2) to discover, develop and deploy our spiritual gifts. Don’t just be busy trying to get “ministry success” in the eyes of people; be the best lover of people and of God that you can be. Seek to be excellent in the way you love relationally and effective in the way you serve in ministry. It’s not one or the other; it’s both.
1 Corinthians 14:2-12 (NIV)
2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.
3 But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.
4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.
6 Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?
7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes?
8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?
9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.
10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.
12 So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.
On verses 2-12: The church in Corinth was very passionate about pursuing and practicing spiritual gifts. That is a good thing. However, it appears that the church in Corinth emphasized the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues so much that they would let people speak in tongues as a way to publicly address the rest of the congregation. Of course, without anyone to interpret, no one could understand what was being said!
Paul cautioned his church against this. In 1 Corinthians 14, he is basically saying, “If you’re going to speak to people in the church, do it in ways that they can understand and appreciate.”
To be clear, Paul valued speaking in tongues. He confirms that speaking in tongues is a good way for a Christian to edify himself, that is, build himself or herself up spiritually (v4). Paul himself spoke in tongues more than any of the Corinthian Christians (v18). Given the benefits of speaking in tongues, he wished that every Christian in Corinth had the gift of speaking in tongues (v5).
Still, Paul recognized that speaking in tongues, while it builds up the person speaking, does little for those who are trying to understand what that person is saying (v6-11). For this reason, Paul writes that when individuals in the church address others in the church publicly, they should not use tongues, but use gifts that build up those who are listening (v12), such as prophecy (v3-4, v6), preaching and teaching (v6).
What can we learn from all this?
First, if you want to lead others effectively, you need to speak a language that they can understand. To me, you can apply this principle not just to the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues, but to leading people generally. If you use a bunch of Christian-ese when you talk to unchurched people, there will be a disconnect between you and the unchurched people you are trying to lead. If you don’t understand the culture of the person you’re trying to reach, it will be tough for them to understand what you’re saying. Speak in ways that are easy and clear for those you are leading to understand.
Second, it is good to be passionate about pursuing and practicing spiritual gifts. But always do it in a loving way, being sensitive to your other brothers and sisters in Christ who may not be in the same place as you. Use your spiritual gifts in ways that serve, edify, strengthen and encourage others, rather than ways that discourage or confuse them. That’s why God gives spiritual gifts in the first place — to serve and build others up.
Here at THRIVE, we try to keep this principle in mind as well. That’s why while we encourage people to speak in tongues, we don’t use tongues to address people publicly. Rather, we’ll encourage people to pray in tongues during their own private time with God and in times when we’re all praying out loud together (i.e. when we’re all talking to God at the same time and when we’re not supposed to be listening to what our neighbour is saying). However, when we lead others in prayer, when we preach and teach, or otherwise address people publicly, we use a language that everyone understands, using gifts that build up the entire church.
Once again, just as we’ve seen over and over in 1 Corinthians, it’s about living in a way that builds up not just yourself, but others as well. Whether it’s in how we eat, how we conduct church discipline, how we use our bodies, or how we use spiritual gifts, let love (i.e. doing what is best not just for yourself but for everyone involved) always be our guide.
Holy Spirit, may we be passionate about pursuing and practicing the spiritual gifts that You give us, and may we do so always for the good of the whole body of Christ, not just for ourselves. Thank You God that every situation we face is another opportunity to practice how to love one another better. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
