1 Corinthians (Written)

Wednesday, 21 January 2015

Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? 1 Corinthians 14:7

In the previous verse, Paul intimated that there is no profit in speaking in a tongue if it contains nothing to edify those who hear the tongue spoken. To bolster this, he now shows that “even things without life” have the same effect on us. If this is so, then how much more living beings who need to be articulate in their utterances in order to benefit others!

And so he says, “whether flute or harp, when they make a sound…” The flute and the harp are inanimate objects. They need something external to produce sounds. If there is nothing external applied to them, then no sound will be made. Such is the case with the vocal chords too. They need to have the body initiate an action in order for them to resonate.

Continuing on he says, “unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played?” Again, the image he is making is obvious. When one plays a flute, they vary the amount of wind entering it. They also cover or uncover various holes in order to obtain differing notes, etc. The harp requires fingers or a hand utensil to be applied to it in varying amounts of pressure and at varying intervals. Different strings on the harp are also employed for differing sounds.

There must be a “distinction in the sounds” in order for there to be any type of music to be produced. In the Greek, three different words are used to describe the process – phóné, diastolé, phthoggos, or literally “voice,” “distinction,” and “sound.” And so we see that there is the “sound” which is like the voice. There are distinctions in that voice which provide proper modulation. And then there are the resulting sounds as they are modulated.

All of these combine to form that which is coherent and which results in something useful, be it a sweet song, a request for dinner, or a cry for help. Whatever the intent of the sounds is, they must go through a certain process which includes all three steps in order for others to hopefully comprehend what is being relayed.

Understanding these different words which Paul uses to describe what he intends, will lead us to a simple revelation concerning the false tongues which are so often used in churches. To assume that God would make a secret “prayer language” that we didn’t understand, or to assume that He would give an incoherent “tongue” that wasn’t a known language, is utterly ridiculous. God can’t produce a language which is unknown to Him, and He would not have us produce a language which is unknown to us that we would speak to Him for His benefit. That makes no sense at all. There would simply be no purpose in it.

Life application: If you have the ability to speak, why would you waste that ability on a showy demonstration of meaningless words rather than words which edify and build others up? Be wise; speak with purpose and sense!

Lord God, You have designed me with a brain that should engage when preparing to speak. You have given me vocal chords which can then make sounds. And You have given me experiences which I can relate to others. Having these things available still needs something else to make them work in a good way. Give me a heart, O Lord, which will use these things to help others and to build them up. Please assist me in keeping this heart from evil intent. Instead, let it be soft and receptive to those around me so that my other body parts will be used in a pleasing and helpful way. Thank You for this Lord. Amen.

Tuesday, 20 January 2015

But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? 1 Corinthians 14:6

Continuing to explain why speaking in foreign languages (tongues) is considered a lesser gift and a gift which only serves the individual, not the whole body, Paul contrasts the words of the preceding verse with “but now.” His words were, “he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.” From this, he gives his “but now.” And as a sign of warmth and fellowship, as well as instruction, he adds in the word “brethren.”

He is speaking to the whole body and wants the whole body to grasp his meaning, which is “if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?” The answer to his question is obvious – “There will be no profit to them.” When someone speaks in a foreign language which is unknown to its hearers, there is no profit at all to them. They are not edified in any way, and they have simply sat through a word of unintelligible sounds which have no meaning to the hearers.

Rather than such a self-centered display, Paul recommends that the greater gifts of revelation, knowledge, prophesying, and teaching be used to build up the congregants. It is a much better use of the precious time we have been given because we can assimilate the instruction and grow in our knowledge of spiritual matters. Paul doesn’t say that there is no place for speaking in tongues, but that there is a much better use of time and gifts than following this avenue. For those who do speak in tongues, Paul will eventually give very specific guidelines to follow.

Life application: If there are two teams playing football and one of the teams has a player who is determined to play baseball during the game, there will be dysfunction on the field. Be a team player and work with your team, using the gifts you have for the benefit of the whole.

Lord, there are books piled high which write about the various disciplines within the Bible. There are commentaries, charts, graphs, and maps of biblical events which fill our time as we read them and study them. There are sermons and studies that we can watch about the Bible. But how often do we allow these things to keep us away from actually reading the Bible? Have I put as much effort into reading Your word as I have reading ABOUT Your word? If not, then I have certainly failed to set my priorities right. Forgive me for this and give me a heart to simply pick up and read this beautiful treasure from You. Amen.

Monday, 19 January 2015

I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. 1 Corinthians 14:5

Having shown the lesser nature of the gift of tongues, and then demonstrated that it does nothing to edify the congregation when tongues are spoken if nobody understands them, Paul tells the congregation that he wishes “you all spoke with tongues.” Speaking in foreign languages is always a valuable asset when encountering others who only speak in another language. If there is a Hispanic community in one’s town and nobody in the church spoke Spanish, then there would be no way of reaching out to them with the message of Christ.

However, tongues are a gift which are available to all people. With effort, anyone can pick up another language and can then effectively communicate with others in that language. But to speak that language in the church without anyone understanding it would be absolutely pointless, except for the person speaking and for God who knows all tongues. Because of this, Paul continues by saying to the Corinthians that even more than tongues, he wished “that you prophesied.” He then follows up with an immediate explanation for this – “For he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues.”

The explanation was given in the verse 3 which said that “he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.” Tongues are of no value to others in the congregation if nobody understands them. However, preaching the word of God is of benefit to all who listen. It is the wisdom of God and a proper explanation of it will always build up the body.

However, to not over-diminish the gift of tongues, Paul adds in a qualifying statement concerning them. Yes, the person who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, “unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.” The goal of any gift is to build up the body and to bring honor to the Lord. If someone speaks in a tongue, and that tongue is then translated, it becomes a message which is then understood by all others within the congregation. Thus it has become a point of exhortation and edification of the body.

There is nothing in the verse to restrict the one speaking in the foreign language to also be the one who translates it. However, he should be competent in the translation. Just because someone can speak a foreign language, it does not mean that they are acceptable to translate that language. So whether by the speaker or by another, it is right for the words to be translated into the common language of the congregation for their edification. Otherwise, the words are merely an unedifying show of ostentation.

Life application: The goals of using one’s gift in the church are to build up the others in the church and to bring glory to the Lord. Let us remember this in all we do in and for the church.

With the world spinning out of control all around us; with the forces of evil, wickedness, and perversion on the march; and with the overbearing weight of intrusive governments seizing freedom from the people, sometimes it feels like You have forgotten us, O God. But in our hearts we know this isn’t so. You are there and You are attending to all these things. The world will be made right, the wicked will be destroyed, and the benevolent monarchy of Messiah will rule in righteousness. We wait on that day with anticipation! Until then, we will continue to praise You through the storms. Amen.

Sunday, 18 January 2015

He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 1 Corinthians 14:4

In Acts 2, this is recorded –

“And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.” Acts 2:5, 6

The followers of Jesus were heard speaking in various tongues according the people groups who were assembled. Those who heard their words in their own language were edified. They heard a message they could understand. However, anyone who spoke a different language was only edified in the language they understood, not in the ones directed to others. This is exactly the type of thing Paul is talking about.

The only people who are edified by the speaking of a language are those who understand that language. And so if someone comes into a church in Walla Walla, Washington where one language is spoken, that being English, and the individual begins speaking in Thai, only the speaker will be edified. Why will he be edified? Because he understands the language he is speaking. We process our thoughts through the construction of speech. This is done in our heads as we speak. When we put words together which we understand, we receive the edification of our thoughts in the compilation of those words.

**It should be noted that Paul says that, “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself.” By virtue of the fact that the speaker is edified, it implies and proves that he is speaking of a known language, not an ecstatic, incoherent tongue (as is so often displayed in supposed “tongue speaking” churches). If the speaker were to be edified by “oola wahla bango wapo shoosh and shim” then everyone else who heard would be equally edified by it as well, because the incoherence of the words would equally apply to all. Instead, this is a known language which the speaker is edifying himself with. Were it not so, there would be no edification for anyone, including the speaker. Again, as every verse of Scripture concerning tongues has and will show, known languages are being referred to.

In contrast to this thought of “tongues” which edify only the speaker of the tongues, Paul continues with, “but he who prophesies edifies the church.” A word of instruction which is conveyed in a known language by the hearers of that instruction will be edified in that instruction.

And so, which makes more sense for the building up of the church – listening to someone speak Thai which nobody else understands, or hearing a preacher speak in the native language of the congregation for everyone to understand? The answer is obvious.

Life application: Speak the word of God, speak it coherently, speak it so others will understand, and therefore edify those who hear the word. For the saying is true – “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”

Lord, may the words of my lips be ever praising You. May my heart be directed to You always, and may others be built up by my words and actions, directing them to You so that You will be glorified in them. Make me a tool of Your using and not a person who is simply here to please myself for the few years You have ordained for me in this temporary walk of life. Be pleased with how I live in Your presence, O God! Amen.

Saturday, 17 January 2015

 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 1 Corinthians 14:3

Paul contrasts verse 2 with these words by beginning with “but.” As he noted, people who speak in other languages while in the congregation (tongues) don’t “speak to men but to God.” In contrast to this, is the one who prophesies to the congregation. Rather than simply having a sole conversation with God (which the speaker can do anytime and at any place), the one prophesying does more. Not only does God hear his words, but he also “speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.”

Edification is spoken to build up the members of the congregation, to instruct them, to give them sound guidance, and to make them knowledgeable in the things of God. Exhortation is spoken to take away their feelings of insecurity, sluggishness, or timidity, thus making them bold. And words of comfort take away sadness, hopelessness, and despair.

Understanding the contrast between the two, which one is preferable to be spoken in the congregation? The answer is plain and obvious. Paul will say this later in this chapter –

“I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.”

Again, following through the logic of Paul’s argument in this epistle, he demonstrates conclusively that tongues, though having been needed at the establishment of the church, are all but unneeded in the workings of the regularly operating and established church; thus the comparison “five” to “ten thousand.” The inordinate focus on tongues by supposed “tongue speaking” churches shows a lack of scholarship and a complete misunderstanding of the purpose and meaning of “tongues” in the now-established church.

Life application: When one is in the church for growth and learning, and in order to be edified, he should either be explaining the word of God or listening to the word of God being explained in a competent and relevant way.

Lord God, I pray that my time will be used wisely in the pursuit of that which is right, honoring of You, and for the building up of others. Help me not to continue to squander my few precious moments of life on this earth in the pursuit of wind. I have tried to grasp it and it never fills my hand. I have tried to capture it and it simply disappears. And so Lord, help me to stop pursuing worthless things and instead give me right thinking to pursue that which is fixed, permanent, and enduring. To Your glory I pray this. Amen.