Daily Bible Study

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Day 15 1 Corinthians 14 1 Corinthians 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not unto men, but unto God: for no man understands him; howbeit in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4 He who speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would that ye all spoke with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he who prophesies than he who speaks with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. 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 gives 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 who speaks a barbarian, and he who speaks 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. 13 Wherefore let him who speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, 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 who occupies the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understands not what you say? 17 For thou verily give thanks well, but the other is not edified. 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. 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, says the Lord. 22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them who believe, but to them who believe not: but prophesying serves not for them who 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 who are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one who believes 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. 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 speaks 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. 29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30 If anything be revealed to another who sits 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. 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 says the law. 35 And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. 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. 39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order. How many times have you gone places to listen to a renowned person, only to find you had no idea what he or she said? Not because he or she spoke a foreign language, but the subject confused you? I can relate to that when it comes to philosophical orations. However, Paul is not talking about someone speaking in familiar speech, but with the spiritual gift of tongues. He learned people in the church at Corinth grabbed hold of the spiritual gifts, primarily tongues, and uttered them without thought to the congregation. He told them it was best to use the gift of prophecy so people would know what the person said, and use their gift of tongue in private, in prayer, unless there was someone to interpret what the Spirit spoke to the church. As Christians, you are to use wisdom when it comes to edifying the church, the body of Christ with tongues. Every instance I’ve heard tongues in church, someone interpreted. That is how you edify the body. You don’t edify anyone when you speak out in tongues without an interpretation through the Holy Spirit. Rather, you are to edify the body of Christ through words of knowledge or prophecy, so the entire body can be edified and Christ can be glorified. Paul also rebuked them because their women spoke out of turn in church, shouting across the church to their husbands for clarification of the message. In that instance, women were to keep quiet and ask their husbands what the message meant at home, not in public, upsetting the course of the message. It is important that everything done in an assembly be in their proper order. Edify the body with words easily understood, and keep tongues for your prayer language unless there is someone available to interpret, or the Holy Spirit has given you the interpretation of tongues so everyone can be edified by the word. The power gifts of the Holy Spirit are for edification, not confusion. Let’s pray: Father, give me words that edify the body of Christ and not confuse them. Help me bring Your message to everyone I encounter with clarity and understanding. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 28 March 2019 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay