1 Corinthians (Written)

Monday, 26 January 2015

Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. 1 Corinthians 14:12

“Even so” relies on what he just said and leads into the rest of this verse. Taken as a whole, it thus reads:

“Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.”

Again and again in Chapter 14, Paul has attempted to wake up the believers in Corinth (and thus us!) to pursue that which is useful and edifying rather than that which is self-centered and merely for show. The abuse of speaking in tongues was such that it had become a complete distraction to what would otherwise be a normally functioning church.

If speaking in a tongue which no one understands means that we remain a foreigner to those around us, then we should pursue a gift other than speaking in tongues. Paul is trying to be diplomatic about the issue without directly bringing insult upon those who continued to speak in tongues. The purpose of tongues was to demonstrate to the Jewish believers that God was working through the name of Jesus (Acts 2), and to convince them that He is the fulfillment of their Scriptures, their worship, and their hopes.

A further demonstration of tongues was again given to show them (through Peter’s visitation to the house of Cornelius in Acts 10) that the Gentiles had been accepted by the Lord as they were. It was to show that they were brought into the same New Covenant as the Jews without converting to being Jews or observing the Law of Moses.

The only other time that tongues were mentioned in Acts (the account of the establishment of the church) is in Acts 19. Certain believers had been baptized into John’s baptism, but not into Jesus’ baptism. When they were baptized into Jesus, they received the gift of tongues. This was done to show them the difference between the two baptisms. This was in Ephesus that it occurred and the congregation in Corinth would probably have heard this exciting news.

Because of the grand nature of what transpired, the now-established church continued to force the use of tongues where it was no longer needed. Thus Paul is spending an inordinate amount of time on the issue in order to get them to grow up and stop acting like children (verse 20). Nowhere else in the New Testament are tongues mentioned in this type of context, and the word “tongues” is only used again in Revelation under a completely different context.

And so, without trying to humiliate these immature believers, he is attempting to get them to stop with unneeded tongues and to pursue greater gifts. Tongues were a gift given as a sign at the establishment of the church. They were never intended to be used in the church age in the manner that they are being used by the Pentecostal movement of today. If believers would simply read the Bible, study the words of Paul, and apply these studies to their lives, they would see that the use of tongues was a specific gift with limited purpose. Other than for times when translation between languages is needed, tongues are something Paul actually argues against in the now-established church.

This is seen with perfect clarity by his words that, “since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.” Rather than making a self-centered show which edifies no one, he asks them to seek gifts which actually edify the members of the church. The word “gifts” is inserted by the translators. Literally it reads “since zealous you are (for) spirits…” As Vincent’s Word Studies notes –

“Paul treats the different spiritual manifestations as if they represented a variety of spirits. To an observer of the unseemly rivalries it would appear as if not one spirit, but different spirits, were the object of their zeal.”

In other words, instead of looking at the gifts of the Spirit as having one intent and purpose, which is the edifying of the church, they were looking at the “gift” of tongues as a case of “I have the Spirit because I can speak in a foreign language.” Add in a “ne ni ne ni boo boo” and you can see the attitude of these immature believers. It is an attitude which continues to permeate immature believers and churches in an ever-increasing manner since the establishment of the Pentecostal movement. It demonstrates a departing from sound doctrine intended for edification and a return to the immature behavior of the dysfunctional church of Corinth.

Life application: Conduct in the church should be “Edify!” not “Look! How spiritual am I!”

Lord God, I pray that one person today who is praying with me will make a commitment to read their Bible everyday for the rest of the year. I pray that as they fulfill this commitment, that You will bless them both in their walk with You and in their personal lives as well. I pray that You demonstrate to them that pursuing You through Your word is worthy of abundant blessing. And Lord, may this desire  then spread like wildfire among all people. Even to much-needed revival. Amen.

Sunday, 25 January 2015

 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. 1 Corinthians 14:11

“Therefore” is given for us to look back and consider what was said in order to understand what will now be conveyed. Paul has written about different instruments, each which conveys its own distinct sound. He then discussed the individual tunes which an instrument can make. He also noted that there are many languages in the world. Each has its own voice which is unique and which can be comprehended by anyone who understands that voice. Chinese is not Russian; Navaho is not Spanish; English is not Vietnamese; etc. Unless one understands the voice of the language, it is simply unintelligible noise without meaning or cohesion.

However, to a person who understands the language, each word identifies something which can be described by the word – nouns, verbs, conjunctions, etc all begin to form a cohesive thought which conveys a reasonable, understandable message to those who know that language. Based on this, Paul gives his “therefore” by saying, “If I do not know the meaning of the language…” The word “voice” is used here. It literally says, “the power of the voice.” The “power” is its meaning, and the “voice” is what is being relayed. If one doesn’t know the meaning behind what is being relayed (think of the battle trumpet that sounds out a tune you have never heard), then “I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks.”

This term “foreigner” is the Greek word barbaros (barbarian, hence a foreigner). Here it is not intended as a deprecatory phrase as it often is, but rather it is indicating unintelligible words. The Greeks viewed any foreign language as harsh or rude in comparison to their language. Thus they applied the term “bar bar” to them. It indicated any language that wasn’t Greek; known languages which to them seemed like unintelligible sounds. This is what Paul is conveying here. He is saying that even though the language is a real language with an actual “voice,” it is simply a confused sound if it isn’t understood by the hearer.

Paul is not speaking of made up, incoherent sounds without meaning behind them. He is speaking about the perception of those sounds by the hearer who doesn’t understand them. Thus, he is not speaking of a personal “prayer language” or a supposedly “Spirit-inspired” language that only God knows. He is speaking of a real language spoken by another group which is not understood by the hearer. To confirm this, he completes his sentence with “and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me.” Just as the sounds of the speaker are unintelligible to the hearer, even though the speaker obviously understands them (because they are the “voice” of the speaker; meaning an understandable concept put into real words), the hearer will interpret the speaker  as a barbaros (foreigner) for failing to understand the words.

This occurs around the world about 10 jillion times a day. People get frustrated at others who don’t speak their own language, and hearers get frustrated at those they don’t understand. For particular emphasis, go to France and test this concept there. They have a special knack for treating foreign speakers, particularly English speakers, in a most frustrating way.

Again as has been noted, Paul has consistently spoken of real languages that are spoken by real people groups and which have real meaning. Nobody in their right mind would speak unintelligible garble at the office among their coworkers. Nor would they do it while at a city council meeting. They would be both humiliating and humiliated. As this is so, why would you act in such a manner in the holy congregation of the saints?

Life application: When you are in church, speak words which have meaning and which edify the congregation or don’t speak at all.

Lord, it isn’t easy to see the trials my friends face. I often wish I could help more than I do, or that I could take their place in those difficult times. But You have given each of us our own course and direction. At the same time, You have given us one another to at least share in the burdens. We can say a kind word, help with the bills, or gather in prayer to show our unity with them. Help me to be such a person Lord. Give me a heart to know when to step forward and offer myself to them. I pray for such wisdom. Amen.

Saturday, 24 January 2015

There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. 1 Corinthians 14:10

Paul continues with his dialogue concerning the speaking of tongues with a thought that looks back on what he has said and forward to a continued discussion about tongues in the church. In verses 7 and 8, he mentioned instruments and the sounds they make – literally, “their voice.” Then he compared those things to tongues, or languages by saying, “So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.”

Just as a trumpet that isn’t given a specific tune will fail to assemble the army, so a language spoken that no one understands will fail to edify the people. But this is the purpose of languages. They are given to instruct, warn, comfort, etc. All languages have purpose and no word in a language can be without meaning. Rather, there must be a thought connected to it or it is a useless sound; not a part of the language. In other words, thoughts are connected to words which are invented in order to convey those thoughts.

Understanding this, Paul says, “There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world.” The word translated here as “languages” is literally “voice.” It is the same word used to describe the sounds of the instruments in the previous verses. It is used to describe the words of the prophets (the voice of the prophets) in Acts 13:27; the outcry of an assembled crowd (the voice of the crowd) in Acts 19:34; the voice of the Lord in Acts 22:9 (which was only understandable to Paul and not those around him; it being the Hebrew language); the blast of the trumpet (the voice of the trumpet) in Revelation 8:1; and even the sound of the wings of the locusts (the voice of the wings) in Revelation 9:9. All of these, and many other examples, show that translating the word here as “language” is a general idea, not what was specifically on Paul’s mind.

He has shown that there are many “voices” in the world such as trumpets, flutes, languages, etc. And so he is tying this word “voice” to all of those things. The intent of his words is “anything that makes an understandable sound.” This is certain because he finishes the verse with, “and none of them is without significance.” Whether it is the voice of the trumpet, or whether it is the spoken Hebrew language, the voice is what conveys the meaning. This is why earlier he used a variety of words to describe sounds (see the analysis of verse 7).

The idea is conveyed by the voice. If there is no understanding of the voice, then there is no grasping of the intent behind the voice. His words in this verse almost make a playful sound. Vincent’s Word Studies translates the idea as, “So many kinds of voices, and no kind is voiceless.” There is intent in Paul’s words and there is a “voice” behind the intent of them. They are specific and they are calling out for reason.

Why then the minute parsing of his thoughts? Because his thoughts are what drive proper theology, and they are what are intended to drive proper conduct in the church. Unfortunately, it has become the standard to ignore such exacting analysis and to make stuff up which is completely unbiblical. Thus congregations and church meetings devolve into anything but sound theology and proper conduct.

Life application: Paul expects every word uttered in a church to be a word which is understandable and which will edify the congregation. If they don’t meet these requirements, then they are not in accord with the Bible which was given by the Spirit of God, and thus they are not of the Spirit of God.

Heavenly Father, help me to guide my conduct in the church in accord with Your word. If Your word was given by the Spirit, and my conduct isn’t in harmony with Your word, then my conduct isn’t in agreement with Your Spirit. I can see that it is all or nothing, and so I pray that pleasing You will be my sole aim and goal. Yes Lord, help me to glorify You in the congregation by having me apply Your word to my actions. Thank You for hearing my prayer. Amen.

Friday, 23 January 2015

So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 1 Corinthians 14:9

Paul continues to argue against the use of tongues in church, and instead for the use of a logical, sensible set of utterances which will edify others. With this entire chapter almost exclusively being devoted to the issue of tongues, it is appropriate to contemplate why it is so. It is apparent that the use of tongues was abused in the church at Corinth, this is certain. But if we can put ourselves into that church, it may help us to understand why such meticulous care is being given to this subject.

Corinth was a large and notable city and there were certainly a variety of languages spoken there. The more languages a person spoke, the more valuable they would be in trading, marketing, and maybe even in politics. Such power is normally an intoxicant, and so to speak in other languages in front of others would be like flashing a wallet full of money or pulling up in a new Corvette.

With the church now established, knowing Hebrew would be an even greater source of pride. If one could read the Scriptures in Hebrew as well as Greek, he would have a leg up on others. It is no different today. Pastors and teachers who know the biblical languages are always held in a sort of special esteem, even if they are really crummy at proper biblical interpretation. The flash of knowing the language immediately places them in the spotlights, whether they are handling the use of that language properly or not. Understanding this, we can continue with the evaluation of this chapter from a reasonable perspective of what Paul is trying to tell the Corinthians (and thus us!) about the gift of tongues.

In the past couple of verses, he has shown that instruments are only effective if they are played properly. If they aren’t, then only noise will result. Further, actual harm can come about from an improperly played instrument. The war-trumpet can cause chaos on the battlefield if the wrong signal is played. Because of this, there must be intelligible sounds which emanate from those instruments or there will only be worthless noise. In comparison to that is the use of tongues. In this verse, Paul begins with, “So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken?”

If someone comes into a church and starts speaking in a language that nobody else understands, the result will be chaos. The air will be filled with nonsensical noise, even if it is a known language (which the term “words easy to understand” implies; a known but not understood language). Why would anyone walk into a Greek-speaking church and start speaking in French? It makes no sense. This is what Paul is trying to tell them.

The congregants probably thought they were being impressive, maybe even cool, by speaking in other languages. But in reality, they were only making unintelligible noises. Remember from the fifth verse of this chapter Paul said, “he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.”

Paul is tying to get the Corinthians to wake up and be mature in their conduct. For those who thought they were doing something nifty by speaking in another language, they weren’t. He next tells them that by doing so, they were merely “speaking into the air.” Sounds were floating around the church, but they were only unintelligible noise.

Life application: Don’t speak meaningless words into the air just to look cool.

Lord, I wish every day was a day filled with fun and prosperity, but then I wouldn’t learn from such days, would I? After a while I’d take them for granted and it would all seem mundane. But when I wake up with a really bad cold, I can know that I want my health once again. And when I get over that cold, I can say, “Gee, it sure is swell to feel well.” If I have to struggle to pay my bills, then I will certainly be more satisfied when the bills are paid. Thank you for the trials and the down-times. They help keep the good times in proper perspective. And they also make me realize how wonderful it will be when I spent eternity in Your presence. Thank You. Amen.

Thursday, 22 January 2015

For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? 1 Corinthians 14:8

The words today continue with the thought of the previous verse. There, Paul noted the flute and the harp which need to be played properly in order to make a distinction in the sounds. Likewise, the same is true with the trumpet. The word for “trumpet” here is salpigx, which is properly denoted as a war-trumpet. It was comparable to another Hebrew trumpet which was played before battle and which jubilantly would announce the Lord’s victory over His enemies.

In the Old Testament, which is where Paul’s mind would be referring to, there were different trumpets which were used for different occasions. The trumpet that he was most probably thinking about would be the chatsotsĕrah or “battle trumpet” which is first referred to in Numbers 10:1-10. In that description, this is found –

“When you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the Lord your God, and you will be saved from your enemies.” Numbers 10:9

In the surrounding instructions for this trumpet, the Lord noted it would be used for various purposes; and when it was used, different signals would be given to distinguish what was occurring. Without varying the tunes, one wouldn’t know whether the congregation was being gathered for a meeting or for going to war. As Paul says, “if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?”

The same is true with military units throughout history. There have always been different signals for different purposes. Those signals have been used to call the troops to battle, engage in various types of maneuvers, to sound retreat, or even to surrender. If the trumpeter blew the same note all the time, only chaos would result.

The first time that the battle trumpet was used in the Bible came later in the book of Numbers when Israel took vengeance on the Midianites. Here is that record –

“Then Moses sent them to the war, one thousand from each tribe; he sent them to the war with Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, with the holy articles and the signal trumpets in his hand. ⁷ And they warred against the Midianites, just as the Lord commanded Moses, and they killed all the males.” Numbers 31:6, 7

In the Psalms, this same trumpet is mentioned, not for going into battle, but for a joyous praise to the Lord at His victory –

“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth;
Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.
⁵ Sing to the Lord with the harp,
With the harp and the sound of a psalm,
⁶ With trumpets and the sound of a horn;
Shout joyfully before the Lord, the King.” Psalm 98:4-6

Someday, the final battle trumpet will be sounded when the Lord’s victory is complete and all of His enemies have been made His footstool. The sounding of that trumpet is seen in Revelation 11:15 –

“Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!'”

Paul’s use of the trumpet is given to again demonstrate the need for coherence and understanding within the congregation. He is doing his best to ensure that the Corinthians (and thus us!) see the importance of using words that can be comprehended by all when speaking in the church. As he progresses through this chapter, this needs to be kept in mind. There should never be anything spoken within the church that is not perfectly clear and understood by all, unless it is properly translated.

To ensure this will be the case, he will give definite instructions which are expected to be adhered to. How sad it is that they are all but neglected by so many in the church today. There is flash at the expense of edification. There is an attempt to draw attention to self rather than a desire for exhortation. May we take to heed Paul’s words and sound out notes of clarity and purpose!

Life application: When in the congregation, let the voice which proceeds from your mouth always be a voice of clarity for instruction or edification.

Lord, I would rather speak 10 words of edification to others than one hundred long-winded speeches that tickle the ears of those who hear, but which fail to teach them anything useful about Your word. My life is nothing but a breath in the passing of time, and I pray that each thing that I impart to others will be for them to understand You better. A sermon without instruction is a wasted sermon. A note of counsel which doesn’t return to Your word is a note which has failed to direct the reader to You. Help me to keep You and Your word as the center of my focus always. Amen.