1 Corinthians 14:6-12
6: But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching?
7: Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp?
8: For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?
9: So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.
10: There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning. 11: If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me.
12: So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.
In this section, Paul encouraged the Corinthians to seek the edification of the church while operating in the gifts of the Spirit, which is their purpose as we saw in 1 Corinthians 12:7—they are given for the common good. Speaking in tongues will always profit the speaker (1 Corinthians 14:4, Jude 20), but Paul wanted them to seek to edify and encourage each other when they gathered, not just themselves.
If someone speaks in an unknown language no one else benefits by that. There is no revelation, knowledge, instruction, or prophecy from the Lord which they can understand, apply, learn, and grow from. Paul compared it to a flute or harp. We recognize a song by the combination of notes. Soldiers recognize the call to war by the distinct battle call of the bugle. They won’t respond properly if the recognizable call isn’t given. In the same way, if we don’t know the words that are spoken, we won’t know what to do with the sound or message. It's wasted without an understanding or interpretation.
Paul didn’t want their gatherings to be chaotic and confusing, or for them to think there was benefit to messages given by the Spirit when no one understood them. We need to hear and understand what God is saying for us to properly respond and for it to benefit us.
What kinds of things might be spoken in tongues? The will of God (Romans 8:26-27), mysteries (1 Corinthians 14:2), revelations from the Father and Jesus (John 16:13-15), the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10-16), the mighty deeds of God (Acts 2:7-11), and that which will bring conviction (1 Corinthians 14:22-25). When interpreted, tongues can give great revelation, instruction, encouragement, or worship. It can cause people to see their own heart clearly and turn to the Lord.
Paul’s point in this section was to exhort them not to get so excited about speaking in tongues that they let it take over their services in an unprofitable way. Might there be prayer services where everyone speaks in tongues? Yes, however when this is the purpose, everyone in attendance will know that and be prepared for it. You most likely will not have those in attendance who do not understand what’s going on. Speaking in tongues is speaking the will of God. His words are powerful and accomplish much when released in the earth (Isaiah 55:11) so speaking in tongues is very effective in releasing God’s will into the earth. When prayers and proclamations of this type are done in this kind of meeting, and are interpreted, it becomes a very effective prayer meeting, not only because of the appeal to the Father, but because of the understanding that is gained in the process when interpretation or revelation comes.
7: Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp?
8: For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?
9: So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.
10: There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning. 11: If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me.
12: So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.
***
In this section, Paul encouraged the Corinthians to seek the edification of the church while operating in the gifts of the Spirit, which is their purpose as we saw in 1 Corinthians 12:7—they are given for the common good. Speaking in tongues will always profit the speaker (1 Corinthians 14:4, Jude 20), but Paul wanted them to seek to edify and encourage each other when they gathered, not just themselves.
If someone speaks in an unknown language no one else benefits by that. There is no revelation, knowledge, instruction, or prophecy from the Lord which they can understand, apply, learn, and grow from. Paul compared it to a flute or harp. We recognize a song by the combination of notes. Soldiers recognize the call to war by the distinct battle call of the bugle. They won’t respond properly if the recognizable call isn’t given. In the same way, if we don’t know the words that are spoken, we won’t know what to do with the sound or message. It's wasted without an understanding or interpretation.
Paul didn’t want their gatherings to be chaotic and confusing, or for them to think there was benefit to messages given by the Spirit when no one understood them. We need to hear and understand what God is saying for us to properly respond and for it to benefit us.
What kinds of things might be spoken in tongues? The will of God (Romans 8:26-27), mysteries (1 Corinthians 14:2), revelations from the Father and Jesus (John 16:13-15), the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10-16), the mighty deeds of God (Acts 2:7-11), and that which will bring conviction (1 Corinthians 14:22-25). When interpreted, tongues can give great revelation, instruction, encouragement, or worship. It can cause people to see their own heart clearly and turn to the Lord.
Paul’s point in this section was to exhort them not to get so excited about speaking in tongues that they let it take over their services in an unprofitable way. Might there be prayer services where everyone speaks in tongues? Yes, however when this is the purpose, everyone in attendance will know that and be prepared for it. You most likely will not have those in attendance who do not understand what’s going on. Speaking in tongues is speaking the will of God. His words are powerful and accomplish much when released in the earth (Isaiah 55:11) so speaking in tongues is very effective in releasing God’s will into the earth. When prayers and proclamations of this type are done in this kind of meeting, and are interpreted, it becomes a very effective prayer meeting, not only because of the appeal to the Father, but because of the understanding that is gained in the process when interpretation or revelation comes.
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