1 Corinthians 14

Friday, 13 February 2015

But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. 1 Corinthians 14:30

Taken together, verses 29 & 30 state –

“Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. ³⁰ But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent.”

Under the inspiration of the Spirit, Paul notes that as people are prophesying, it is to be done in order, not simultaneously. This is a command for the church in order to keep harmony. But it is also a command to avoid confusion. The intent of such speaking is edification. If two are speaking simultaneously, others must choose to focus on one or the other. Some people may not be able to focus on either. Because of this, there can be no edification from at least one of the speakers and quite possibly both. Just as if tongues were spoken, there would be only noise and confusion.

And so if one is speaking and another desires to impart what is revealed to him, “let the first keep silent.” Just as in any adult conversation, be it among friends or in a business setting, it is polite and proper to allow others to speak without interruption.

Paul’s words noted here are a command. Thus once again we see the utterly false nature of churches where the congregation, or a portion of the congregation, supposedly “prophesy” at the same time. As the Spirit has breathed out the words of the Bible, and as the Spirit will never contradict Himself, there is no congregation which conducts such “prophesying” which is actually guided by the Spirit.

Life application: If you attend a church which speaks in false tongues or allows people to “prophesy” at the same time, it is time for you to find a new church. Don’t let claims of “Holy Spirit power” lull you into participating in disobedience to the word of God.

Lord, as I review 1 Corinthians Chapter 14, I can see that there is a lot of false conduct in churches I have attended in the past. False tongues, false prophecies, and disobedience to Your word. I know that the Holy Spirit will never violate the word that He has breathed out in the pages of the Bible, and yet I see people claim they are being led by the Spirit in a manner contrary to that precious word. Help me to be discerning and not get lulled into participating in disobedience to You. Thank You Lord. Amen.

Thursday, 12 February 2015

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 1 Corinthians 14:29

In contrast to “tongues” which Paul has been dealing with in immense detail, and upon which he has placed great restrictions, he now turns to prophesying. His admonition is “Let two or three prophets speak.” Notice that he does not add in “at the most” as he did with tongues. Why did he so restrict tongues and not prophesying? The answer is that tongues serve no purpose in the congregation unless they are translated. And even if they are translated, they often interrupt more than they edify.

In the case of prophesying, he does not want to quench the spirit when edification is the aim of the speaker. This follows perfectly with his words of 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 –

“Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not despise prophecies. ²¹ Test all things; hold fast what is good.”

Having allowed the speaking of prophesy openly, and with the thought that two or three should speak, he then says, “and let the others judge.” This is an important thought to consider. People claim “inspiration” all the time, but not all who speak are inspired. All we need to do is look at any person who speaks in an incoherent tongue within a church to see how prevalent this is. Based on Paul’s words of instruction in this chapter, not one of them is under the inspiration of the Spirit.

Just like these false tongue speakers, people who speak coherently in a known language are not necessarily speaking under the influence of the Holy Spirit. There is enough about false prophets and false teachers in the Bible that we should truly pay heed to every word uttered as the congregation meets. Those who hear should judge the truth of what is said based on a competent understanding of Scripture. And the only way to make such a competent evaluation is to:

1) Have the Bible handy for reference; and
2) Know where to go in the Bible to evaluate what is said.

One cannot do these things unless the nose is kept in its pages constantly. If this doesn’t occur as people speak, inevitably false doctrine will creep in. John warns us specifically about this in his first epistle –

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

Life application: The old saying, “Trust no one” is good advice. Until a person’s words have been compared to the word of God, they should be taken cautiously.

Lord, Your word warns us time and time again to be wise and discerning concerning those who speak falsely. I know that this is not possible without knowing Your word. Anyone can say anything and claim that they are telling the truth, but how gullible I would be to accept someone at face value concerning my eternal destiny. Please give me wisdom and discernment concerning Your word and the proper handling of it. Amen.

Wednesday, 11 February 2015

But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. 1 Corinthians 14:28

This verse continues on with the prescriptions of the previous verse. They are commands, given by the Lord as the Holy Spirit guided Paul’s pen. Taken together they say –

“If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. ²⁸ But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.”

How is it that such plain and simple sentences can be so utterly neglected by churches? The answer is that the Bible is held in little esteem by them. The word of God is useful to them only when it tickles the ear. And this is what the supposed “tongues” of most churches do: ear-tickle. However, Paul has spent an inordinate amount of time on this subject in order to get those in Corinth (and thus us!) to be reasonable in our conduct in the church. Like his words in the previous verse, what he says now also commands just that.

“But” is given in contrast to verse 27. “If there is no interpreter” is obvious. If someone wants to speak in a foreign language, maybe Latin or Hebrew, they may do so if they meet the requirements of verse 27. However, if they don’t understand the language, they must have an interpreter present who can. Suppose there is a prayer to be read in Hebrew. Unless there is a competent translation of that prayer, or someone who can translate the words which are being read, then “let him keep silent in church.”

This means that they are not to openly speak or read the thing they had intended to impart. Why? Because no one understands it. Thus it is both a waste of valuable time, and the words have no value for edification. If there is no edification, then it is merely an ostentatious display meant to attract attention to the individual and not bring any sort of glory to God. Because of this, Paul instructs that he should remain quiet and “speak to himself and to God.”

If the individual with the tongue to be spoken cannot translate the words, and if there is no one else who can translate them, then if they want to go ahead and speak them, they are to do so to God alone, who alone understands the words.

Paul’s words are precise and the same logic of the previous verse applies to this one:

1) The words of the Bible, as given by Paul’s hand, are inspired by the Spirit of God.
2) The Spirit of God will never violate a precept which is found in the Bible, which He has inspired. Therefore,
3) Any practice or occurrence which is seen in a church, and which violates the prescriptions of the Bible, cannot be inspired by the Spirit.

Therefore, any tongue which is spoken in a church which is not translated cannot have been inspired by the Spirit of God; its prompting is not of divine origin. If supposed “tongue speaking” Charismatic churches actually followed the prescriptions found in these two verses from the hand of Paul, there wouldn’t be the embarrassing displays of ostentation found in them.

Life application: The word of God is not confused, nor does it promote confusion. However, neglecting the word of God will inevitably do so. Stick to the word of God and let your doctrine be pure and undefiled.

Lord, it’s so exciting to live in this time. Despite the immense wickedness which seems to be engulfing the world around us, we are seeing biblical prophecy come to pass before our very eyes. Israel is once again in the land, the church is falling away from adherence to Your word and to right doctrine, and the nations are lining themselves up for financial ruin and military strife. Lord God, open many eyes to the truth of Your Son now before You call Your church home, and before the terrible times to come descend on a world ripe for judgment. Amen.

Tuesday, 10 February 2015

If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 1 Corinthians 14:27

Paul now gives explicit instructions concerning tongues. This is a prescriptive verse for the church at Corinth (and thus to us because the letter is included in Scripture). To not adhere to this verse is to then violate a command found in the book which establishes faith and doctrine for the church. Logically, we can consider the following:

1) The words of the Bible are inspired by the Spirit of God.
2) The Spirit of God will never violate a precept which is found in the Bible, which He has inspired. Therefore,
3) Any practice or occurrence which is seen in a church and which violates the prescriptions of the Bible cannot be inspired by the Spirit.

Let’s remember this as we continue. Paul says that “if anyone speaks in a tongue” (which has been shown clearly in this chapter to be a known language), “let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.” The Spirit-inspired words of Paul note that speaking in a tongue (a known language) is acceptable within the church, but there are rules which must be followed –

1) No more than two or three may speak in a tongue during any one service. This can only be interpreted this way. It doesn’t mean “two or three at once” based on his continued words in this verse.
2) Each person speaking in tongues must do so in turn, not at the same time. The idea and design for speaking in tongues is that it is a tool to convince unbelievers; they are a sign to them. Therefore, in order to edify the church, there should be order and harmony rather than disorder in the speaking of tongues.
3) If a tongue is spoken within the church, it must be interpreted. If a tongue is spoken in a church and there is no interpreter, then there will be no edification. As edification is the intent of such speech, then the words should not even be uttered aloud.

These rules are given in the Bible. They are not exhortations, nor are they mere suggestions. They are instead prescriptive elements which are expected to be adhered to. Understanding this, then we can very easily root out any false tongues. Again, if the Spirit inspired the Bible and there is a practice which occurs within a church which does not conform to the Bible, then the source of that practice cannot be Spirit led.

Any “tongue” spoken in a church which is not interpreted cannot be a Spirit-led tongue. Any congregation where more than three people speak in a tongue cannot claim to be led by the Spirit. And any gathering where more than one tongue is spoken at a time cannot be speaking by the Spirit.

Life application: The Spirit of God isn’t confused.

Heavenly Father, even if every person on earth were to come against Your word and claim that it wasn’t necessary; even if every church on earth departed from the guidelines You have given for us to follow; and even if I were faced with death unless I turned my back on the Lord who is revealed to me in Your word, I would still ask for the strength and wisdom to stand on Your word and the truths it contains. Your word, O God, is more to be treasured than all the riches of this world because it tells me of My Lord Jesus. I stand on Your word, O God. Amen.

Monday, 9 February 2015

How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 1 Corinthians 14:26

Paul’s words in this verse are for proper order in the church and they are based on what he has said in the preceding verses concerning tongues. When the whole congregation is speaking in tongues and an uninformed visitor comes in, he will think everyone is crazy. This is certainly not how a church should be conducted and so he asks, “How is it then, brethren?” In essence, “What is the proper way of conducting oneself in the church?”

In response to his own question, he provides the answer. “Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation.” The Spirit has given various gifts to the body and He has distributed those gifts according to His will. But each gift needs to be brought out at the proper time. In just a few verses, he is going to note that God is the author of peace, not confusion. As this is so, then blurting out nonsense or cutting others off with a “tongue” or a “revelation” cannot be of God.

The Holy Spirit will never inspire anyone to do anything which is contrary to His nature; therefore, the conduct of those in Corinth could not be Spirit-led. Instead, their actions were merely for self-aggrandizement. Because of this, Paul will give very explicit instructions concerning the use of tongues. These instructions will confirm for all future church gatherings that those who do not follow them are not Spirit-led in their actions.

One mark of a church that is properly adhering to God’s word, and to the leading of the Spirit, is that they will, “let all things be done for edification.”

Life application: Edification of the body is a necessary component of the gathering together of the saints. If this is not occurring, then the gathering is a wasted effort. Remember this and be a person who edifies others.

Lord God, I so very much look forward to the day ahead. To me, it is the great unknown. Each step is heading down a path I have never been. To me, what others might find disturbing is exciting. And the reason is that You are in my life. No matter what lies ahead, be it good or be it ill, I know that You are with me through it. With this great assurance, I am at peace and I am confident of a good outcome in the end. Thank You for Your steadfast presence in my life. Amen.