1 Corinthians 14:1-5
1: Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
2: For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.
3: But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.
4: One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.
5: Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.
Paul picked up where he left off at the end of chapter 12, and once again said to earnestly desire spiritual gifts, adding for them to especially desire to prophesy. In this chapter, he explained the operation of the speaking gifts in the church—tongues, interpretation of tongues, and prophecy. He was intent on the Corinthians understanding the proper use of the gifts, so they were administered in an orderly manner. The purpose of speaking a word from the Lord is for the church to be edified. God doesn’t want His gifts to cause confusion or disorder.
It’s worth noting that any believer in Jesus may be baptized in the Holy Spirit receiving this promise of the Father Jesus referred to in Luke 24:49, and which we saw fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost after His resurrection. It was so important for them to receive the Holy Spirit (who distributes the gifts) that Jesus said not to leave Jerusalem until receiving Him. The first gift manifested after He was given to the church was speaking in other tongues. Every one of those who had gathered to wait for Him, received Him, and every one of them spoke in other tongues. (Acts 2:3-4). The Holy Spirit is for all believers (Acts 2:38-39).
When speaking in tongues, the speaker speaks to God. He doesn’t understand what he is saying for he is speaking mysteries in his spirit. He is, however edified by this. One who speaks in tongues receives spiritual edification in this communication with God. It's an honorable gift. Paul said he wished they all spoke in tongues. He knew the benefits of it, and how important it is for believers. However, in addressing conduct in their church gatherings he said it was better to prophecy, so they would speak in a language everyone knew and understood.
A prophecy is a word from God to His people. Its purpose being for edification, exhortation, or consolation. Receiving knowledgeable understanding of God’s thoughts toward us is more beneficial to the church than the display of unknown tongues, unless there is an interpretation of the tongue. After the Holy Spirit fell in Acts 2, and they began speaking in tongues, the crowd thought they were drunk. Peter stood up and spoke to the people explaining what had just happened.
It’s vital that we clearly understand what God is saying to us, in whatever form He is speaking. Which is why Paul said in the church it is better to prophesy than to publicly speak in tongues, unless the tongue is interpreted. Notice that Paul spoke in a way which indicated they had control over which gift they used. They could choose to speak in tongues or not, to prophesy or not. Of course, these are words from God, not from a person’s own mind or spirit, yet it appears that the Holy Spirit honors our seeking the gifts and will honor our desire to operate in them in the best way the church can be edified.
2: For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.
3: But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.
4: One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.
5: Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.
***
Paul picked up where he left off at the end of chapter 12, and once again said to earnestly desire spiritual gifts, adding for them to especially desire to prophesy. In this chapter, he explained the operation of the speaking gifts in the church—tongues, interpretation of tongues, and prophecy. He was intent on the Corinthians understanding the proper use of the gifts, so they were administered in an orderly manner. The purpose of speaking a word from the Lord is for the church to be edified. God doesn’t want His gifts to cause confusion or disorder.
It’s worth noting that any believer in Jesus may be baptized in the Holy Spirit receiving this promise of the Father Jesus referred to in Luke 24:49, and which we saw fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost after His resurrection. It was so important for them to receive the Holy Spirit (who distributes the gifts) that Jesus said not to leave Jerusalem until receiving Him. The first gift manifested after He was given to the church was speaking in other tongues. Every one of those who had gathered to wait for Him, received Him, and every one of them spoke in other tongues. (Acts 2:3-4). The Holy Spirit is for all believers (Acts 2:38-39).
When speaking in tongues, the speaker speaks to God. He doesn’t understand what he is saying for he is speaking mysteries in his spirit. He is, however edified by this. One who speaks in tongues receives spiritual edification in this communication with God. It's an honorable gift. Paul said he wished they all spoke in tongues. He knew the benefits of it, and how important it is for believers. However, in addressing conduct in their church gatherings he said it was better to prophecy, so they would speak in a language everyone knew and understood.
A prophecy is a word from God to His people. Its purpose being for edification, exhortation, or consolation. Receiving knowledgeable understanding of God’s thoughts toward us is more beneficial to the church than the display of unknown tongues, unless there is an interpretation of the tongue. After the Holy Spirit fell in Acts 2, and they began speaking in tongues, the crowd thought they were drunk. Peter stood up and spoke to the people explaining what had just happened.
It’s vital that we clearly understand what God is saying to us, in whatever form He is speaking. Which is why Paul said in the church it is better to prophesy than to publicly speak in tongues, unless the tongue is interpreted. Notice that Paul spoke in a way which indicated they had control over which gift they used. They could choose to speak in tongues or not, to prophesy or not. Of course, these are words from God, not from a person’s own mind or spirit, yet it appears that the Holy Spirit honors our seeking the gifts and will honor our desire to operate in them in the best way the church can be edified.
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