Bible Charts: Tongues in 1 Corinthians 14

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The following Scripture is from the KJV (King James Version).

1 Cor. 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

Verse 14:1 belongs at the end of Chapter 13. Chapter 13 speaks of the love which would respect the other person's rights; especially the right to understand what was being said. We are told to “follow after love; to pursue it, chase after it, hunt for it, run after it”. Love is elusive to the natural man or carnal man. The devil pursues us, but we are to pursue love. Love is putting the other person first. Love is meeting the other's real needs. Love is the desire to be helpful to another with no need of personal gain.

Prophesying (proclaiming God's will and purpose for man) meets the requirements for love while speaking in a “tongue” does not. Note the contrast between a tongue and prophecy.

In Verse 1, “but rather” is a poor translation and should not have the adversative “but”. These words should be “and moreover”. Thus, prophesying is a spiritual gift and should not be placed adversely to love; they are not adversaries.

Verse 1 might be translated, “Having the basic substance of life, which is love, seek in addition other lesser and particular spiritual gifts, the most important of which is prophesying.”

1 Cor. 4:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

The word “unknown” is not in the Greek. The translators of the KJV text italicized the added words to make it more understandable and at the same time to let the reader know that they had added them. And note that the word “tongue” is singular. Paul recognized their “tongue” but was not approving it. The “tongue” speaker wanted communication with God and thought that he had done so. This is not God's way of communication.

Consider God's teaching on prayer — always conscious communicable content. Prayer is basically an expression of our complete dependence upon God and our personal inadequacy. No “tongue” can do that.

Their “tongue” was an emotional outburst of sound with no content. Paul's logic was: With such a language, you are evidently not trying to speak to men, because no man knows the language nor can he understand. Therefore, you must be trying to speak with God; even though it never reaches Him. Note that this is not approved by God — even though it might have been meant for Him.

Illustration: Many religious works are meant for God but are not approved by or empowered by Him. Most religious work is a psychological compensation used as an attempt to cover guilt; perhaps the guilt of raising one's own will above God's will.

A “tongue” is an injustice to God's infinite majesty, greatness and intelligence. He desires understandable communication with His creatures, especially the redeemed.

The tongues which are said to have come from God, in Acts 2, 10 and 19, were for communication of God's message to man as a sign, not for prayer or worship or for personal edification.

All of God's gifts are useful and serve God's purposes. Usefulness, need, and purpose represent important criterion for determining God's gifts. Compare: food, clothes or even the tongue in our mouth or languages. The test, then is this: If it is not useful, in love, to serve others, to proclaim God's message to man, its source is not from God but self.

God communicates through His Word and a language which is understandable. Note the contrast between no understanding in verse 2 and understanding in verse 3.

The word “for” preceding “no man” would better be “indeed or in truth or in fact”. Paul was saying that indeed no man understands the “tongue”. The “tongue” was not human — only an omniscient God could understand, and then only the feeling behind the gibberish, since it had no thought substance.

In the fourth clause, “Howbeit” or “however” is the word “de” meaning “indeed” or “in fact”. The word spirit does not mean the Holy Spirit. Note also verses 14 and 16. God's Spirit wants to reveal, not conceal God's purposes.

Paul's condemnation of these ecstatic utterances, created by their own human spirits was:

Their tongues were not known languages.
They were not prophesying.
They were directed only to God.
They were the product of man's spirit.
They were not understood or understandable.
They were meaningless.

1 Corinthians 14:3, 4, 5 & 6

1 Cor. 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

Our speech must be helpful to others. The first word “but” shows the contrast or opposition with verse 2. Some have thought that the Corinthian “unknown tongues” were angelic languages (cf. 13:1) interpreted by the Holy Spirit. That this is not the case is shown by the following:

Paul did not commend this.
Angels always speak to men in human languages. (Cf. The O.T. appearances of angels and also the Revelation.)
God wants us to heed His message, requiring understanding.
Interpretation is a prerequisite to using a language; meaning is important, not just speaking. (See vs 13 & 27)
In 1 Corinthians 13:1 Paul uses the hypothesis “if” indicating that it is not a reality but a postulate.

All believers are to prophesy and to speak forth the Word of God to edification, exhortation and comfort of other believers and unbelievers. Note that there is no distinction between clergy and lay people. All believers are priests. (1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6; 20:6)

Understanding is necessary for edification, exhortation and comfort; this is the purpose of speech. If someone does not benefit from our speech, love requires that we keep quiet especially in an assembly of believers, where two or three are together. To edify another, the speaker must be understand his own speech and then to speak unselfishly.

Prophesy

Prophesy is the exact opposite of a tongue.

Prophesy is understandable, a tongue is not understandable.
Prophesy is helpful to others, a tongue is not helpful.
Prophesy is based on love, a tongue is based on self.
Prophesy is based on edifying, a tongue is confusing.
Prophesy is from God, a tongue is from self.
Prophesy is from God's spirit, a tongue is from man's spirit.
Prophesy builds others, a tongue tears others down.

Edification

The word edification means to build, such as building an edifice. This has as its object the building up of others spiritually. The builder knows what he is doing, and that systematically. Applied to unbelievers this could mean soul winning and building up the faith numerically. Tongues cannot do this. Applied to believers this means building them up — spiritually, growth in faith. Tongues cannot do this.

Verse three shows the sharp contrast between unselfishness or love and self centeredness and a tongue. Since understanding is the prerequisite to interpreting, a tongue can only be “interpreted” by conjecture. (Cf. vs 13, 26-27) As an experiment: When someone speaks in a tongue, ask three people separately what was said or record it for future interpretation. This will bring utter confusion.

Exhortation

Exhortation means to encourage in spiritual things. The Greek “paraklesis” means a calling near or for, to bring beside. Exhortation for unbelievers is encouragement to come to God for salvation. Exhortation for believers is encouragement to trust God in salvation. The forgiveness of sins is the greatest encouragement in all of life. Tongues cannot do either of these.

Comfort

Comfort has reference to the consolation a Christian needs in view of the hostility of this world. An understandable presentation of God's Word comforts in persecution, affliction and all the experiences of Christian Growth. An “unknown tongue” cannot comfort the speaker or the hearer.

1 Cor. 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

The tongue is singular here and means incoherent utterances. Some emotional experiences do not make one feel closer to God — This is a selfish attempt of self edification or the selfish enjoyment of a religious experience. The spiritually more mature Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, Thessalonians, etc. did not use or need this emotional crutch. There is no commendation for speaking in a tongue because it does not help others.

But Paul does commend prophesying to the edification of the church. The principle and practice of seeking the welfare of others, altruism, in religious experiences, according to God's Word, is truly commended. Even when we talk to God, we should think of others — the body of Christ.

In the Greek, the word “the” is not before the word “church” indicating that the sense is not that prophesying edifies the entire body of Christ but that it edifies any local assembly who can hear the content of the exhortation. The trouble maker in the local assembly is the one who is critical. He seeks to center God around himself. He seeks to center spiritual blessings around himself. He seeks to center the whole church around himself. May God deliver us from self-centeredness.

1 Cor. 4:5a I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied:

This speaks of the gift of human languages. Here, tongues is plural, meaning known human languages used to tell forth the wonderful works of God. If the “tongues" here was to mean ecstatic lingual utterances, then much of what Paul was saying makes no sense whatever. Paul was saying “I would that you would all witness both in your native language and also to foreigners in their languages too.” Literally, “I wish that each of you Corinthians individually would speak in your language and the languages of foreigners, especially because this would enable you to prophesy in more than your own native language.”

Most groups of foreigners know two languages of more, especially in the city of Corinth. “Bur rather” should be “and moreover”. 1 Corinthians 10:31 states that we should do all to the glory of God. Paul's wish refers to the second clause, “and moreover that ye prophesied.” Apparently the Corinthians had stopped witnessing of Christ.

1 Cor. 4:5b for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

“Except” means “unless” in the Greek. The interpretation in verse five was to be done by the linguist who was proclaiming God’s Word to the local assembly of mixed nationalities. This is true interpretation, while the interpretation in verses 13, 26, and 27 is an impossibility due to the nature of the unknown gibberish being spoken.

The Corinthian natives were Greek.
The Roman captors spoke Latin.
The Jewish traders spoke Hebrew of Aramaic.
There were also other dialects

The verse says, “Don't show off in languages, but speak and prophesy in the language of the majority of the hearers and interpret for the rest so that all may be edified.” May we pray that what goes out of our mouth might be for the purpose of edifying others to the glory of God.

1 Cor. 14:6 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?

The basic principle is stated: “The purpose of speaking is to communicate our thoughts to others”. “Now” the first word is “And now” in the Greek and shows a change in the arguments (note the change from the third person to the first person).

Verse 2-4 have one argument
Verse 5 has another argument
Verse 6 has still another: He says “Suppose I were to come to you . . . what would you expect?”
Verse 7 has yet another argument
Verse 8 has an additional argument

“Brethren” indicates that though Paul disagreed with them he did not call them derogatory names. Their error did not break communion or fellowship. This is a beautiful example of love and tenderness.

“Tongues” here is plural and means foreign languages which they could not understand. “Speaking is from “lego” with the meaning, to present the things thought out in an orderly manner; to say something with content. Paul lists four ways that in which he could profit them: “by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine.” But notice his exclusion of “tongues”; tongues could not profit.

Revelation

Revelation is divine truth made known directly by God. God reveals things that have been hidden from human understanding until God chooses to let them be known or uncovers them.

Knowledge

Knowledge is always incomplete without revelation. Knowledge includes all that is humanly discoverable and all that is divinely revealed. True knowledge shows that all things that can be known consist in Christ. Such knowledge can only be shared by the medium of speech.

Prophecy and Doctrine (Teaching)

Prophesy and teaching are not possessions as the above two but are activities. Speech converts revelation and knowledge into prophesy and teaching. Prophecy is a telling forth of what we know of God's revelation. Teaching is elaboration and explanation for understanding.

Speech then, has no value in itself, but, as God's gift, exists as an instrument to convey revelation and knowledge by prophecy and teaching from one person to others. Tongues then, as a use of various languages is not a spiritual gift at all, but a means to an end to edify the local body of believers in Christ.

1 Corinthians 14:7-20

1 Cor. 14:7 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?

Sounds must be guided by reason to be intelligible. Would you enjoy or benefit from music when the one who plays knows nothing of music or its construction?

1 Cor. 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

A trumpet to call soldiers to war would be useless unless there was a mutual understanding between the trumpet player and the hearers.

1 Cor. 14:9 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.

Here Paul applies the two preceding illustrations. Literally, “So also ye, unless by means of the tongue ye give speech that is distinct, how shall it be known what is being spoken”. “Tongue” here means the organ of speech, not the ecstatic tongue or gibberish. “Speaking into the air” is like speaking into an empty room. In verse nine, Paul is exposing their error of choosing languages no one understood to try to illustrate their spirituality.

1 Cor. 14:10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

Literally, “There are, I dare say, ever so many varieties of voices, and each one has its meaning”. The implication is that the unknown variety of the Corinthians was in contrast to this; that is, their variety has no meaning.

1 Cor. 14:11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

Paul says, for the sake of Christ, do not disregard the opinions of others who observe or hear what is being put forth; intelligent people are concerned with understanding. Paul's point is: Know what you are saying; understand it yourself and try to make it easy for the other person to understand you. Don't make yourself look foolish by listening to someone you can't understand.

1 Cor. 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. You are full of zeal.

Zeal is a warm passionate desire that has its roots in the human spirit. The Greek says that, “Ye are zealous of spirits (gifts is not in the text). All their zeal was from their own human spirit, even their tongue. He is saying, “Don't just be enthusiastic, be enthusiastic about edifying the church.” The verb “seek” means to seek how to do something by thinking. The same word is used in Mark 11:18 and Luke 12:29. Edification requires understanding. The Corinthians had carried the paganism of Delphi, Greece's most famous center of oracles, into the church. There the priestess would carry an inquirer's questions and position herself on a tripod over the chasm in the Adyton where intoxicating fumes would cause her to utter incoherent sounds representing the response. This paganism was being brought into the Christian assembly with the same destructive results as bringing the world's methods and motives into play within the church today.

1 Cor. 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

Paul uses sound psychology here. He makes recommendations here that will persuade them that their speaking “in a tongue” was wrong; this was meant to cause them to quit on their own. Love does not dictatorially insist that they stop. One who speaks in an unknown tongue must also be able to interpret, it that were possible. The implication is, If you can interpret, why should you not speak in an understandable language to begin with? If you cannot interpret, you are deceiving yourself.

1 Cor. 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

Here we have Paul's explanation as to the advice that he gave in verse thirteen. When you pray for the ability to interpret, pray in an understandable language, as is said in verse thirteen. But verse fourteen states, that communication between God and man is possible without audible speech. But we should be aware of any action of our spirit that ignores the God-given facility of thinking. We must not put aside intelligent thought. Our spirit and mind should be actively coordinated to bear fruit for God in the lives of others. The “spirit” in verse fourteen, and the other six occurrences of the word “spirit” in this context, refers to man's human spirit. There is no reference to the Holy Spirit in this passage as He is not behind these tongues. Nor does Paul sanction devotions in a “tongue”.

1 Cor. 14:15 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.

Verse fifteen: Emotionalism without engaging one's mind is not God's highest intent for man. Paul says that he will not leave out his mind when he prays or sings. Observe the order: 1. Spirituality before intelligence. 2. Belief before true knowledge. Man's spirit is the seat of his faith as well as his emotions, so intellectual comprehension follows faith. “What is it then” means that this is Paul's resolution to use his two God-given faculties; he will use his own spirit and his own mind whether praying, singing or preaching. See verse 19. Some of the Corinthians must have sounded like they were singing while engaging in a tongue.

1 Cor. 14:16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

Notice the shift from the first person “I” to the second person “you”, showing that verse fifteen was good but their practice in verse sixteen was wrong. “Else when” means “for if” or “otherwise”, explaining Paul's gentle rebuke. Paul was not saying one can bless God or man by the spirit (man's spirit), but that it is impossible to bless God or man without using one's mind. The “spirit” here is man's human spirit (the article, the, is omitted in the Greek). “Amen” means full and decided assent or agreement.

1 Cor. 14:17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

“Other” means one of another quality — a different spiritual makeup. Verses 16 and 17 say, Think about the other person. Giving of thanks means praying or trying to pray. See verse sixteen. 1 Cor 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: Paul is not condoning an unknown tongue. “Tongues”, here in plural, means human languages. But he is saying that he could speak in more languages than any of them or all of them put together but he will not make a show of his ability.

1 Cor. 14:19 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.

When you pick a language in which to speak, be sure that it is understood. Paul states that one should not always do what he could do — such as speaking many languages or other forms of show off. “Tongue” here is singular, gibberish, and is condemned. The word “yet” should be “but”, an adversative showing the contrast. Paul was saying that he could not and did not speak in an unknown tongue.

1 Cor. 14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

Again, Paul calls them “Brethren” indicating his love for them. “Understanding” is not “nous” as used in the preceding verses but “phresin” denoting wits or senses. He says, “Be not children in your mind or senses, but in hurting others through your tongue, you ought to be babies.” Paul is saying, “Grow up; stop acting like children.” We grow by daily Bible study with understanding, and by prayer with understanding, and by application in the daily life. (Ephesians 4:13)

1 Corinthians 14:20-25

1 Cor 14:21 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, saith the Lord.

Here Paul cites the prophesy in Isaiah 28:11-12 to show that the primary reason God enabled His people to speak in languages other than their own was for a witness to the unbelieving Jews. This is fulfilled in Acts 2. The words “other tongues” are from the Greek “heterogloossois” meaning “different but retaining the basic characteristics of language”. “This people” means the Jews — God's special people. Paul was making the definite point that the unknown tongues at Corinth had nothing to do with the prophecy in Isaiah. (Or 2 Kings 18:26-28) He said that the prophecy is sealed and fulfilled — Now there remained judgement upon the unbelievers because they understood. (See Matthew 11:20-24; 13:11-17; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10.) He drew a parallel between the disobedience of Judah, in the south, and the Northern Kingdom of Israel to God in Israel's day and the disobedience of the Jews to God in Paul's day. Most of today's Jewish evangelism is by men of other lips and in other tongues — Yet as a nation, they will not hear and obey. Through the O. T. parallel, Paul says “Your speaking with tongues cannot produce belief either”. They might have the right motive but the wrong method.

It is as if Paul was saying to them, “My brethren, your speaking with tongues is basically different from the historic and genuine witness of the apostles. These were brought about by God Himself. Even so, the Jews, who were primarily his target did not respond. Now you are trying to imitate the work of God. Do you think unbelievers will not recognize this as an unreal, or fake? They are the ones you have in mind, perhaps, but they will think you are out of your mind when you speak to them in a strange language, if it can be called that, that neither you nor they can understand.”

1 Cor. 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

Just as God uses ordinary means He has created, before He resorts to extraordinary manifestations of His power and ability, so should we. That is, planting and reaping before manna, normal birth before virgin birth, etc. Preaching (prophesying) is for believers. This is the method that the Holy spirit utilizes with believers. “Tongues” here, is plural and means different human languages. This is the method that the Holy Spirit utilizes with unbelievers. “Sign” here is the word for miracle and indicates that God uses the un-ordinary to reach the unsaved and is contrasted with the teaching of the Word of God to edify the believers who need understanding and clear thought processes.

1 Cor. 14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

What impression does the church have on unbelievers who stumble in the door or what impression does the church have on the weak believer? Does it obviously glorify God or does it glorify the leaders or the flesh or worldly methods? Does it proclaim truth or does it feed serpents (or satanic errors) when someone comes and thereby asks for a “fish”? Does it proclaim the wisdom of this world and its religious system when their presence asks for “bread”?

“If” is used as a gentle hypothesis — just suppose. This “if” does not accuse them directly, but is meant to allow them the clarity of judgement to condemn their own wrong. Paul was highly successful here too.

Application: Let us learn to use the hypothetical method of pointing out other's errors. Seek to make the other person recognize his error without pointing it out yourself. Make generous use of the word “suppose” in mentioning a fault.

The church, here, is people — meeting for collective worship — not program, not buildings, not baptisms, not budgets, not a show of the flesh. Paul is saying, “Consider the dire consequences if . . .” The Corinthians were probably all speaking at the same time creating an atmosphere of bedlam. “Tongues” here is plural meaning actual human languages.

Paul's argument is, “If it is so objectionable to unbelievers to hear you speaking real languages that only a few in the church can understand, how much more objectionable must it be for them to hear you holding forth in ecstatic utterances.” The important point is understanding, not what language one speaks in. “Unlearned” in verse 23 and verse 16 is “idiootai” meaning one who is ignorant or ill-informed in the faith. “Unbelievers” is “apistoi” in verses 22 and 23 meaning a rather confirmed state of unbelief. Paul says that the unlearned and unbelievers will have the wrong impression of you. “You are mad” is “mainsthe” or mania or maniac. The Greek attributed such unreasonable conduct to the activity of demons. (Note John 10:17-20 where the Jews also did.) The impression left on the new believers or unbelievers was that they were possessed by demons who were making their mental powers inactive.

1 Cor. 14:24-25 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth 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.

These two verses begin with a contrast to the preceding verse as indicated by “But”, a word of apposition. “Prophesy” means each one in turn, or several, declaring God's Word. “One that believeth not or one unlearned” refers to the individual (note the singular) who may well believe. Even the power of the spoken word is brought out in the fact that in verse 24 the order of the two is reversed; that is “one that believeth not”, the confirmed unbeliever is convicted of his sins. Note that it is the individual that is being convicted by the testimony of the many, not visa-versa. Therefore each child of God can witness effectively.

Several things happen when a person hears and understands the Gospel:

He is convicted. (John 16:8)
He is cross examined by all and as a result of their examination makes a self examination and sees himself naked before God. (Heb.4:12-13)
His inner secrets are exposed.
Then he will worship God and recognize that God is really in you. Note the posture.
He will worship God and give testimony. His inner conviction brings on his outer confession. (Rom. 10:9-10)

Tongues in 1 Corinthians 14:20-25

1 Cor 14:21 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, saith the Lord.

1 Cor. 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

1 Cor. 14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

Application: Let us learn to use the hypothetical method of pointing out other's errors. Seek to make the other person recognize his error without pointing it out yourself. Make generous use of the word “suppose” in mentioning a fault.

Several things happen when a person hears and understands the Gospel:

He is convicted. (John 16:8)
He is cross examined by all and as a result of their examination makes a self examination and sees himself naked before God. (Heb.4:12-13)
His inner secrets are exposed.
Then he will worship God and recognize that God is really in you. Note the posture.
He will worship God and give testimony. His inner conviction brings on his outer confession. (Rom. 10:9-10)

1 Corinthians 14:26-40

1 Cor. 14:26 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.

The order in the Greek is different than in the KJV text above. The Greek order is Psalm, Doctrine, Revelation, Tongue and Interpretation.

Psalm, probably referred to a singing
Doctrine, or teaching indicates an explanation
Revelation, referring to something from God or assumed to be from God with a thought toward exhortation
Tongue, an ecstatic utterance — condemned by the whole context
Interpretation, an explanation or expounding

Paul is listing what they did, not the ideal. Note that there is no commendation for this. Note also that prophecy is missing from what they did when they gathered.

1 Cor. 14:27-28 If any man speak 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.

Verse 27 is a concession for love's sake. The singular aspect of the word “tongue” indicates its childish, selfish use which is condemned by the logic of the context and the entire Word of God.

There are a few regulations for those ill informed ones who still required tongues:
Two or three in any one meeting
They must have the floor and only one speaking at a time
Let someone interpret (if he can is implied). Verse 2 speaks to interpretation being impossible which again illustrates the futility of a tongue for any benefit whatsoever. Any attempt at interpretation would be only guesswork.
The speaker must be in continuous control of his faculties (See verses 32-33) Women are not permitted to speak, in a tongue in the church (See verse 34)

Verse 28 is what Paul has been driving at all along: Any manifestation of an unknown tongue must be private — there is no public place for any of the things which are childish. There are many things that a childish, self centered person might do in private which are of no value, but these would wreak havoc if done publicly in a church meeting.

1 Cor. 14:29-30 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

Prophesy here includes a Psalm, Doctrine and Revelation of verse 26. That is, Singing, Teaching and Exhortation. There was not an absolute limit to 2 or 3 who could Sing, Teach or Exhort in any one assembly. Note the word “If” in verse 27 indicating the hypothetical possibility of the occurrence, contrasted with the absence of the “if” in verse 29 indicating that the ideal meetings should expect prophecy but not tongues. “Judge” in verse 29 means to discern or interpret that truth is evident to the average mind. This is the discerning of spirits as indicated in 1 Cor. 12:10. Discernment is the Holy Spirit given ability to detect, distinguish and discriminate what lies back of a man's words or works in order to determine whether they truly proceed from the Holy Spirit or are pretenses from the human spirit, of the speaker, or contain the deception of some “spirit of evil”. (See 1 John 4:1) Let us pray for the gift of discernment that we can recognize error in the Teaching, Preaching and Works of others as well as ourselves.

All believers are to give and yet some have the gift of giving. All believers are to teach and yet some have the gift of teaching. All believers are to show mercy and yet some have the gift of showing mercy. Just so, there are some who have the special Holy Spirit given gift of determining when a Singing, Teaching, Preaching or Work really comes from the flesh, from the subtle evil one or from God Himself. (There are some in every congregation who see through the motives of the singer, teacher, preacher or worker up front.)

1 Cor. 14:30b-31 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth 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.

One person should not monopolize the floor or be the main presenter. (How often this is violated in modern religious situations.) If any one prophet does not take too much time, you will all have a chance to prophesy in turn, perhaps 2 or 3 in any given meeting. Note there is no liberty for speaking in a tongue here as in the concession of verse 27. Prophesying, proclaiming God's Word today, produces learning, a deepening of belief, edification to a deeper life of obedience and comfort through the application of biblical principles.

1 Cor. 14:32-33 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.

Note the contrast of this with verse 23 where they were under an influence other than themselves. To some, the situation in verse 23 would bring the response of “you are mad” or demon motivated. God's people are in control of self in every area. (See verse 30) When one loses self control, he is not under the control and leadership of the Holy Spirit; he is not God controlled. When a prophet speaks, he is to exercise his mind and reason which cannot be said of one who speaks in a tongue. Paul's thesis is that when a believer speaks in a group of believers, there must be understanding, which requires that others keep quiet and wait their turn. (Gal. 5:22-23 give self control as fruit of the Spirit.) Verse 33 gives the reason and motivation for self control.

God is self control. Let us be like Him. Use your mind.
When confusion and disorder result from your speaking, neither you nor God are in control of your spirit.
God does not inspire simultaneous prayer or simultaneous speaking in a group.

Confusion is “akatastasias” meaning instability or a state of disturbance or anarchy.

James 3:15 states that this is the result of wisdom that is “earthy, sensual, devilish or demonical”.
James 3:16 states that “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” The words “envying and strife” are “zeelos and eritheia” which are really “zeal and jealousy” or “eagerness and party strife”.
The word “confusion” in James 3:16 was also at Corinth. They had false zeal; they had a party spirit; they were causing confusion by their desire to show off for popular applause.
Those possessed by a false earthly wisdom are also possessed with zeal to propagate it. The zeal to propagate falsehood sometimes far exceeds the zeal to propagate truth.

Paul's main concern was the confusion caused by their zeal and enthusiasm over the phenomenon they misunderstood to be a manifestation of the Holy Spirit. Paul opened their eyes to the harm that they were doing and urges them to seek to edify the whole church. Paul states that they were bringing God into disrepute by their misguided zeal and desire for admiration

The wrong motive behind a good act is many times worse than a wrong act; especially if it is attributed to God and brings disgrace upon the God of order.
Let us ask ourselves, what is the underlying motive of all that we do or say?
Acting from selfish motives may bring exaltation to yourself, but it can only lead to confusion of others who think less of God as the result.
Let us purify our motives and conduct ourselves in such a manner that those around us, both believers and unbelievers alike will think of God as the author of peace.
The test could be, “Will this speech or deed reflect on God as the author of confusion or of peace?”

1 Cor. 14:34-38 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 saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, 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.

The subject of verses 34-38 may seem to be a digression from the subject of tongues, however, in the larger context of gifts, spiritual gifts, these verses are not a digression but add much to the whole picture. Verses 26-40 cover the rules for the exercise of the gifts, and as such, the discussion would not be complete without the material in these verses being dealt with. However from an even larger perspective, 1 Corinthians 11:2 through 14:40 deals with the Corinthians’ difficulties concerning public worship. Here is an outline covering the larger perspective showing how these verses fit into the whole subject of public worship:

Discussion Concerning Public Worship

The Veiling of Women in Worship 11:2-16
Disorders Relating to the Lord’s Supper 11:17-34
The Use of Spiritual Gifts 12:1-14:40

The Varieties of Gifts 12:1-11 2.
The Purpose of Gifts: Unity in Diversity 12:12-31 3. The Supremacy of Love Over Gifts/Tongues 13:1-13 The Superiority of Prophecy Over Tongues 14:1-25 5. The Regulations for the Use of the Gifts 14:26-40

1 Cor. 14:34-35 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 saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

The married women were not to exercise the prophetic gift in public, such as a church meeting. This passage does not speak to unmarried women, but to the married. Paul has occasion, in Chapter 11, to correct certain disorders of dress; now he refers to certain improprieties of speech which had appeared in the church. Here he argues from the same ground, namely, the headship of the husband and the dependence of the wife. 17 The authoritative teaching in the church and the public exercise of the gift of prophesy were for husbands, not for wives. The wives should not even interrupt the service by speaking, under the pretense of asking questions. These questions should be asked of their husbands at home. It would be improper for married women to take the place of their husbands or to usurp the husband’s God given place in the prophetic office of the church.

1 Cor.14:36-37 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.

Paul concludes by rather severe insistence upon the authority of his instructions. If the Corinthians were not willing to submit to them, was it due to the fact that they felt themselves to be the originators and the sole possessors of Christianity and alone had the right to determine its rightful demands? Furthermore, he adds, the best proof that a man is a prophet or possessed of spiritual gifts will be found in the fact that he recognizes all of Paul’s teaching as the commands of Christ. The words of one who does not respect Paul should not be respected.

1 Cor. 14:38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

If, however, from ignorant vanity and rivalry anyone willfully rejects Paul’s instructions, the apostle refuses to argue with him; let him bear the responsibility and consequences of his ignorance. 18

1 Cor. 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.

Here, Paul is expressing love to them and kinship with them by the word, “brethren”. “Covet” is “zeeloute” which means “desire emulously”. This word is translated “desire” in verse 1. When we determine that something of virtue is God's will for us, we should seek it with zeal. The tense of the word covet was to urge the Corinthians to continue to put all their zeal into telling forth the grace and revelation of God. Paul did not want to limit the use of foreign languages. “And forbid not to speak with tongues” begins with the connective “and” such that tongues, or languages, are the means of accomplishing the prophesying. Tongues is plural here and means human languages and as such represent one of God's methods of proclaiming the Gospel. Paul is not tolerating a tongue or speaking in an unknown tongue here. He was saying, “Don't forbid a foreigner to speak in your church providing that he would be understood. He was probably afraid that the Corinthians would go to the other extreme and forbid any use of foreign languages.

1 Cor. 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

This is Paul's final injunction concerning tongues. This might better be, “Only let all things be done decently and in order”. This suggests soldiers marching in orderly manner. When God is present, there is order. When there is lack of order, God Himself, is absent from the meeting; for it is He who has created an orderly universe and man himself whose body and mind work with such harmony, system and order as to defy imagination. The same order will be in God's new spiritual creation, the true church through Christ.

Concluding Remarks

1 Corinthians 12, 13 and 14 indicate the dangers of spiritual anarchy

When someone in the church wants to show his gift, he:
Disrupts the church
Dismays those who want to worship decently and in order
Brings confusion
Repels unbelievers and the unlearned
Illustrates his own immaturity
Reflects upon the character of God

Paul is not for and against the same thing.

Do not take any one verse or argument in isolation, but relate them to the whole thrust of Scripture.

Any interpretation of an isolated verse or statement separated from the general thesis is liable through its own weakness to be in error. There is no absolute meaning in an isolated statement.

Do not judge the Word of God from any experience, but judge the reality and genuineness of your experiences from the Word of God. To err here, causes the Bible to cease to be our absolute authority.

Keys and Thoughts

There are three sources of words, thoughts and actions in the world.

God through His Spirit
Self through man's spirit
Satan through an evil spirit

The two tongues in 1 Corinthians are interwoven, and if not identified, make it look like Paul is for and against the same thing. But he is not. So to take any single meaning for the word “tongue” or tongues” leads to confusion and misunderstanding.

Today's tongues are often from self, leaving the spirit unguarded against intrusion by a demon who can take over the voice and speak in a language which he has learned previously. Such wordage usually curses God. (1 Cor. 12:3)

God may cause His people even today, in isolated cases, to speak in a language that they have not learned but it will always be to share the will of God with unbelievers in their own language, and that, only temporarily.

The seven usages of the singular tongue The translators of the King James Version of the Bible, the KJV, saw the difference between the ecstatic, un-intelligible utterance or tongue which they correctly saw to be in error in the Corinthian Church, and the deliberate, intelligible use of the variety of human languages for the dissemination of God's Word. So they attempted to make that difference clear to the reader by adding or supplying the italicized word “unknown” before those singular words. There are seven singular usages of the word in the passage but the KJV translators were a bit inconsistent in that they placed an italicized “unknown” before six of the singulars. They were telling us that the singular word “tongue” indicated a fault in the Corinthian's church life. These seven are found in verses, 2, 4, 13, 14, 19, 26, 27 and are all condemned in the context.

The seven usages of the plural tongues The translators saw the seven usages of the plural word “tongues” and let them stand as the plural word. In every case, they indicate human languages that are the native language for some nationality. Always, the plural “tongues” is approved and that for the getting out of the Gospel and for the building up of the saints. These are found in verses, 5a, 5b, 6, 18, 22, 23, 39 and are all approved.

The seven usages of the word spirit The text and context will show that the word “spirit” is used seven times. In each and every case the meaning is the human spirit of those of whom Paul was talking. The source of the spirit was not from God nor was it from Satan, but from their own zealous drive and competition. And remember there are three spirits to consider: God's spirit, man's spirit and Satan's spirit. These seven usages of the word “spirit” all indicate man's spirit. These are found in verses, 2, 12, 14, 15a, 15b, 16, 32.

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Note

17 The God given natural order is also dealt with in 1 Timothy 2:9-15.

18 Willful ignorance, like willful sin or willful unbelief, has no cure and must bear its own fruit of pain and punishment. Compare Revelation 22:11 where the eternal state of the willful unbeliever continues forever.

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Thursday, June 9, 2022

Tongues in 1 Corinthians 14

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