1 Corinthians: Chapter 14 (verses 1–25)

At the end of chapter 13, Paul wrote that “now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). In chapter 14, he goes on to emphasize the importance of love in the use of spiritual gifts in united worship.

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy (1 Corinthians 14:1).

In encouraging the Corinthians to pursue love, Paul makes the point that love is of first importance, and believers should prioritize it. Love is the foundation that should guide all that we do and what we aspire to. We are called to make love our guiding principle in all our actions and interactions. Love is not referring simply to an emotion—it is a choice and a commitment to act in alignment with God’s will.

Paul links the pursuit of love with earnestly desiring the spiritual gifts. Previously in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul taught that all spiritual gifts are given by the Spirit, and they are given for the purpose of serving others in the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:7–10). In this chapter, he encourages the Corinthians to exercise the gifts of the Spirit in their united worship—in particular, prophecy—for the edification of others and the building up of the church.

For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:2).

One who speaks in tongues speaks unintelligible words that others cannot comprehend without someone who can interpret what is spoken. Because of this, those who speak in tongues do not speak to others but rather to God, and the mysteries they utter cannot be understood by others.

On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation (1 Corinthians 14:3).

While speaking in tongues in prayer is a proper and good practice, in this passage Paul was focused on spiritual gifts for the edification of others. In this context, he promoted prophecy as a means for the strengthening, encouragement, and comfort of the believers. Prophecy in the early church was similar to preaching in churches today. As one Bible scholar put it,

Prophecy in the early church resembled contemporary preaching in many ways. It was a message from God to his people, delivered in the language of the people. Prophecy benefited people in countless ways and was used in the service of love.¹

The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church (1 Corinthians 14:4).

Paul continues his comparison by pointing out that when a person speaks in tongues, it only builds up or edifies himself, as it is a form of personal communion with God. Of course, there is nothing wrong with this, and as Paul suggests later in this chapter, there is a place for speaking in tongues for self-edification. However, in public worship, the gifts of the Spirit are to be exercised for the building up of the church. Such corporate edification takes place only when what is spoken can be understood by the congregation.

Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up (1 Corinthians 14:5).

While Paul continues to encourage the Corinthians to exercise the gift of speaking in tongues, he would rather that they prophesy, unless someone interprets the message spoken in tongues so that the church can benefit.

Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? (1 Corinthians 14:6–8)

Paul used the term “brothers” here (or “brothers and sisters” in other translations) to soften his words and to help the Corinthians to avoid becoming defensive. He began by presenting a hypothetical scenario of a visit he might make to see them, stating that such a visit would not benefit the Corinthian believers unless he brought some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching. The only benefit from a visit from Paul would be the teaching he would impart to them.

Second, Paul uses an example from music as an illustration. It is not possible to discern a tune being played on a flute or harp unless there is a distinguishable series of notes. Third, he referred to a bugle used as a call to battle, noting that the signal will not be understood unless the bugle gives forth a clear call; otherwise, it will have failed its purpose. Paul uses these illustrations to point out that tongues without interpretation do not reveal anything, communicate knowledge, or provide instruction. Rather, they are like an instrument which is out of tune, making sounds that benefit no one.

So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air (1 Corinthians 14:9).

Paul concluded that one needs to communicate clearly for the edification and upbuilding of others, which he directly applied to the Corinthian situation. The implication is that the Corinthians practiced speaking in unintelligible tongues, which ultimately was nothing more than speaking into the air.²

There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me (1 Corinthians 14:10–11).

Paul emphasized that while there are all sorts of different languages in the world, their purpose is to communicate with others. If someone doesn’t understand what is being said—if they don’t speak the same language—then the listener and the speaker are like foreigners. Their attempts to communicate with one another will fail and will ultimately benefit no one.

So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church (1 Corinthians 14:12).

Paul approved of the Corinthians’ desire to pursue the manifestations of the Holy Spirit. However, he issued a call to them to strive to excel in the ones that edify and build up the church.

Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful (1 Corinthians 14:13–14).

Having pointed out the limitations of tongues, Paul noted that when someone prayed in tongues, their prayers involved only their spirit, and not their mind. Therefore, it would be more beneficial if the person also prayed to interpret the tongues so he would understand and benefit from the message.

Paul concludes that tongues without interpretation cannot be understood by anyone, including the one who is giving the message. If Paul didn’t understand what he said when praying in tongues, how could anyone who heard him understand and benefit from it?

What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also (1 Corinthians 14:15).

Due to the limitations of praying in tongues, Paul determined to pray, sing, and praise with both his spirit and his mind. While singing and praying in tongues was appropriate in private prayer and worship, this was not the case in public worship.

Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up (1 Corinthians 14:16–17).

Paul emphasized the importance of clear communication during worship, and makes the point that if someone speaks in tongues without interpretation, those who do not understand the language cannot join the prayer.

I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue (1 Corinthians 14:18–19).

While Paul personally experienced the blessings of this gift in his private worship, in public he would rather speak five words that could be understood by those listening than thousands of words in tongues. His focus was on words that served to teach and instruct others, thereby honoring God.

Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature (1 Corinthians 14:20).

Once again, Paul refers to the Corinthians as brothers, which likely expresses the intensity of his appeal to them. By chiding them to not behave like children in their thinking, Paul implies that the Corinthians’ focus on speaking in tongues revealed their spiritual immaturity.

At times, Scripture commends childlike attitudes in believers, such as when Jesus highlighted the trust of a child as an example of faith (Mark 10:15). Here, however, Paul states that believers should be as innocent as infants in regard to evil; in other words, believers should be inexperienced in and separate from evil. Of course, Christians are not to be naïve about evil, as Jesus told the disciples to “be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). But Paul insisted that believers should be mature in their thinking in regard to Christian doctrine and practice.

In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers (1 Corinthians 14:21–22).

Paul paraphrased Isaiah 28:11–12 to highlight the Corinthians’ need to think correctly about tongues. In this passage, Isaiah warned northern Israel that God would exile them to a place where He would use unknown languages and foreigners to speak to His people. However, despite this punishment, they still would not listen to the Lord.

If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? (1 Corinthians 14:23)

After making the argument that uninterpreted tongues in united worship is unprofitable for the congregation, Paul moves on to highlight how it can hinder evangelism by alienating non-believers. He presents a hypothetical scenario in which outsiders and unbelievers attend a public gathering at which the whole church is speaking in tongues. Someone who had no knowledge of Christianity would think they were out of their minds and could end up walking away without hearing the gospel message.

But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you (1 Corinthians 14:24–25).

Paul contrasts the previous scenario with one of a non-believer entering into a worship service where messages are being given in prophecy in intelligible words that the outsider can understand. The effect would be quite different, as the visitor would be convicted by the message, and God would speak to the person through it. The visitor would discover him- or herself to be a sinner, and would worship God and recognize His presence in the congregation.

In the words of one Bible commentator,

These new converts would be so astonished at the word of God proclaimed in the Christian assembly that they would proclaim, “God is really among you.” … The conversion of the lost is part of the purpose for Christian gatherings.³

(To be continued.)