1 Corinthians 14:1-19
1 Pursue love, yet earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
2 For the one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people, but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.
3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification, exhortation, and consolation.
4 The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but rather that you would prophesy; and greater is the one who prophesies than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edification.
6 But now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophecy, or of teaching?
7 Yet even lifeless instruments, whether flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp?
8 For if the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?
9 So you too, unless you produce intelligible speech by the tongue, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will just be talking to the air.
10 There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and none is incapable of meaning.
11 So if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be unintelligible to the one who speaks, and the one who speaks will be unintelligible to me.
12 So you too, since you are eager to possess spiritual gifts, strive to excel for the edification of the church.
13 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue is to pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive.
15 What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit, but I will sing with the mind also.
16 For otherwise, if you bless God in the spirit only, how will the one who occupies the place of the outsider know to say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you are saying?
17 For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified.
18 I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all;
19 nevertheless, in church I prefer to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.
Prophecy Over Tongues
Pursue the gift of prophecy
Beginning with today’s passage, Paul finally addresses the problem of the misuse of tongues. He once again repeats, “Pursue love.” He then urges, “Yet earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” Comparing the verbs “pursue” and “earnestly desire,” the former carries a stronger sense in the original language. In other words, the discussion proceeds on the premise established in chapter 13, that love is the highest virtue. (1) Paul is not denying the value of tongues. The one who prays in tongues edifies himself. Paul himself prayed in tongues more than anyone in the church at Corinth. (2) However, tongues have a certain limitation. They involve speaking to God the things that are incomprehensible to others (mysteries). (3) Christians should speak in a way that others can understand. That is the purpose of prophecy. A sermon is something prepared in advance, whereas prophecy is speaking the word of God as taught by the Holy Spirit. Its purpose is “for edification, exhortation, and consolation.” Some understand “prophecy” to be the gift of foretelling future events, but in light of the context, the emphasis is on Spirit-taught words that build up the church.
To edify the church
Paul’s emphasis is that, from the perspective of the principle of love, prophecy, which edifies the church, is superior to tongues, which edify oneself. (1) While acknowledging the value of tongues, Paul encourages believers to seek prophecy as the higher priority. (2) The one who speaks in tongues should also seek the gift of interpretation. If a person only prays in tongues, the spirit may be fervent, but the mind remains unfruitful. Prayer in tongues without the engagement of the mind cannot edify others. (3) In the public gatherings of the church, five intelligible words are more beneficial than ten thousand words spoken in tongues. What Paul is encouraging becomes immediately clear when the principle of love is applied. The principle of love applies not only to the issue of tongues but to every situation as well. Let’s walk today with the principle of love consciously guiding your heart.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to walk today with a heart that continually asks how I can build up others. Please guide me by Your Holy Spirit. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.