In Search Of Truth, 1st Corinthians 14:1-19

Paul commands the Corinthians to pursue love, as he had just defined it in chapter 13. But he also wanted them to desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. Paul spends some time here pointing out the superiority of prophecy in a Christian community over the gift of tongues.

 

When the gift of tongues is referred to in the Bible, it's important to recognize that it has two potential meanings. The first refers to an existing ethnic language that the speaker does not normally speak or understand. The second is an "ecstatic"(characterized by overpowering emotion) language understood only by God and those who are gifted by God to interpret it. When the singular Greek word "glossa" is used, as it is in this chapter, "tongue" refers to this kind of ecstatic language.

 

Although "ecstatic" tongues may be exciting to witness and may be an encouragement to the speaker, they don't accomplish anything of substance for those listening unless someone present is able to interpret them. For this reason, Paul values prophecy in the church community setting more than he values speaking in tongues. The value of tongues is equal to prophecy in a church setting only if someone can interpret what is being said in the ecstatic tongue.(.v. 4-5)

 

Prophecy is naturally useful to a church community by serving the purpose of edification("building up"), exhortation (encouraging) and consolation(comforting). (v.3) But if prophecy or other teaching are brought to the church through a tongue, without interpretation, it serves no purpose. (v. 6)

 

Paul illustrates his point in a few ways. If someone plays a musical instrument, but only plays one or two notes, how will anyone know what song they are playing. (Ever play "name that tune" with a tone-deaf person? Not fun.) Horns were used in Paul's time to give battle instructions in war. But if the rhythm or notes are not precise, the army will be confused and unable to do their job. Paul is not content for tongues to be an emotional spectacle. He wants them to serve others instead of just speaking "into the air". (v. 9)

 

In verse 12, Paul sums up his desire for the Corinthians in the realm of spiritual gifts. "Try to excel in gifts that build up the church." And in the realm of tongues, Paul encourages those with this gift to also pray for the ability to interpret. Even when alone, someone praying in a tongue is not producing the language with their mind. It is only a spiritual and emotional experience. But worship is not meant to be this way. Our worship of God is meant to engage both our hearts and our minds.

 

John 4:23-24

"But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

So Paul tells those with the gift of tongues to pray for the ability to interpret, so that they can be encouraged by their own words and so others may be encouraged by them as well. (v. 13)

 

No matter how beautiful or sincere a prayer in tongues may be, no one nearby can say "Amen" (meaning "it is true" or "so be it") and participate or be "built up" in the moment if they can't understand what is being said. Paul could evidently speak in tongues extensively (v. 18) but would rather speak five words that instruct and make sense than ten thousand words that mean nothing to those who hear them. (v. 19)

 

We can pull an important general principle for worship from this chapter and from John 4:23-24. Our worship should fully incorporate both the mind and the emotions. Many churches are steeped in one or the other, but few make a purposeful effort to incorporate both. We should share and contemplate the truth, and then respond to it emotionally. Without emotion, the life and worship of a Christian is only a detached, empty shell and a true relationship with God is impossible. Without the mind, our lives can quickly move away from God and end up focusing on things completely counter to his will for us.

 

 

Next Week- More On Prophecy And Tongues

 

Coffee House Question

 

If your life as a Christian neglects one element more than the other, would you say it is your mind or your emotions?