TAMING A WILD AND WOOLY CHURCH
1 Corinthians 14:1-5 NKJV
1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit, he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 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.
The Corinthian church had a plethora of problems, but one area they were not short on was zeal. And they had an abundance of spiritual gifts, so much so that Paul said they did not come short in any gift. But the challenge was not a lack of enthusiasm but rather a lack of proper decorum. In chapters 12-14, Paul is having to inform and correct the church in spiritual gifts and their usage in the public church services.
In chapter 14’s verses for today, Paul is bringing correction to the gift of tongues in the church. He was not attempting to do away with the practice of speaking in tongues. In verse 18, he shares that he spoke with tongues more than all of them. What Paul was trying to do was make the church aware of how tongues fit in the service.
Paul contrasts speaking with tongues versus prophecy. The prophecy he was referring to was the spiritual gift of prophecy, where people would speak to the church in order to bring edification, exhortation, and comfort. This kind of prophecy was inspired by the Holy Spirit, but it was not foretelling the future. Edification means to build up. Exhortation was to encourage in a positive way, and comfort was to bring a sense of peace and relief. Because prophecy helps the church, Paul wanted the Corinthians to pursue this gift.
Evidently, in some of the Corinthian church services, people were speaking to the church in tongues and never interpreting. There is a spiritual gift where someone speaks in a tongue not known to man and then interprets what the Holy Spirit is communicating. This would bless the church. But standing up and speaking in tongues without an interpretation would not bless the church. Paul said the one who spoke in a tongue would build himself up spiritually. But he was wanting the Corinthians to think about how to bless the church, not just themselves.
The entire fourteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians goes into detail about tongues and their purpose for the New Testament church. These instructions are still viable today. Spiritual realities do not fade out simply because culture changes or men get a different idea. The practice of speaking and praying with other tongues is still going on worldwide. And it is a vital part of the fastest-growing global church. So, Paul’s instructions are still in play. And evidently, the Corinthian church paid attention because Paul did not have to cover this topic in his second letter to this church.
PRAYER
Thank You, Lord, for the spiritual gifts that build up, encourage, and comfort Your body, the Church.