Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
Compiled by WD Kemner August 2024
1 Corinthians Chapter 14 Overview
Gifts of the Spirit used in the Body of Christ
1 Corinthians Chapter 14 verse 1
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
The last chapter was spent discussing charity. He ended that chapter discussing gifts of the Spirit.
Paul is going into more detail now and he states that the gift of Prophesy is more desireable.
Difference between Tongues and Prophecy
1 Corinthians Chapter 14 verses 2-5
2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
Speaking in Tongues is speaking to God and NOT to man. Prophesy is being spoken to men. Prophesy being the best tool for edification of the body.
1 Corinthians Chapter 14 verses 6-12
6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
Illustrating the disadvantages of the Gift of Tongues. It is not beneficial to the group but rather only to the individual.
Guidelines for the Gift of Speaking in Tongues
1 Corinthians Chapter 14 verses 13-17
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
Speaking in unknown tongue is the Spirit praying. What purpose is there for it to be spoken for the benefit of the believers who cannot understand the language; therefore, before being spoken audibly, pray for the interpretation, to edify the body.
1 Corinthians Chapter 14 verses 18-19
18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
Paul who acknowledges speaking in tongues, would rather speak normal language in order to be able to teach more effectively.
Gift of Tongues VERSUS Gift of Prophecy
1 Corinthians Chapter 14 verses 20-25
20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
Tongues a sign to the unbeliever. Prophesy is only beneficial to those that believe.
Abuse of the Gifts
1 Corinthians Chapter 14 verses 26-28
26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
It would be expected that with almost two thousand years since Paul wrote these instructions, perfect harmony and use of the Gifts would be seen. Having spent more than a half century within the Pentecostal movement across the country; I have seen the complete opposite. The most common issue is verse 26. Churches are a circus of competition in the display of the gifts.
It has become flagrant abuse as Paul warns. Tongues are spoken frequently in a routine parade of oratory. When they are interpreted, they are then reinterpreted for a second and even third rendition. Prophesy is no different; it will contain the latest perspective politically from local politicians.
None of these issues are ever confronted by the church “leaderships”. Paul gives explicit directions on the gifts. Why is it ignored? Financial, risk of job loss, attendance numbers?
This circus explains the distaste and disunity in the church world against the usage of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Guidelines for the Gift of Prophecy
1 Corinthians Chapter 14 verses 29-33
29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
If there is no other person to confirm the word of prophecy, it should go unspoken. It is often asked: How can that be? Genuine Baptism in the Holy Spirit comes with the Holy Spirit as a guide.
Guidelines for Women and the Gifts
1 Corinthians Chapter 14 verses 34-35
Concordance: Women role in the Church
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
Paul addressed this topic in Chapter 11 regarding role of women.
This passage has often been included in discussions with the following statement:
“These statements are all OUTDATED and written for an OLDER time and are not valid today”
REBUTTAL that SHOULD BE used:
Then throw out ALL OLDER OUTDATED BIBLE:
-Creation of Man, Sin in the Garden, Prophecies of the OLD Testament, Birth of Christ, Future Coming of Christ. You are left with the front and rear covers of the Bible.
What’s left to Believe ???????
1 Corinthians Chapter 14 verses 36-38
36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
Even the people in Paul’s day were questioning that these directions could be from God.
1 Corinthians Chapter 14 verses 39-40
39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.