Tongues in the Corinthian Church: THE LINE DRAWN by Miles J. Stanford

 

THE LINE DRAWN

by Miles J. Stanford

Chapter 7

Tongues in the Corinthian Church

Page 60

1 CORINTHIANS 14 -- During the period in which Paul was establishing the Ephesian believers, he wrote a letter of instruction to the new church in Corinth. In chapters 12 to 14 in the First Epistle to the Corinthians, he discussed the subject of spiritual gifts. In chapter 14 he dealt with the most important gift, that of prophecy, and the least important of all gifts, that of tongues. Together let us go through the most vital verses of that chapter.

Follow after love, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy (v. 1).

The New Testament gift of prophecy involved ministering to the Church that which had been given by direct revelation from God. This was the most needed gift of the apostolic age, in that the Scriptures were not yet completed. Although the believers were on New Testament ground, they had little written revelation beyond the Old Testament.

For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God (v. 2).

It was good to praise and thank God in exercising the tongues-sign to the Jews, but the young church needed to be built up in the faith through the gift of prophecy.

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort (v. 3).

The prophetic gift was for the purpose of conveying the message of God directly to all present, as Peter did at Pentecost after the sign of tongues had been given.

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself, but he that prophesieth edifieth the church (v. 4).

When a man was given a tongue in praise to God as a sign to the Jews, he himself was being edified in his exercise of the gift. But the church gained nothing in that they could not understand what was being said. Paul stressed the importance of all the congregation being edified by means of the gift of prophecy.

I would that ye all spoke with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied; for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying" (v. 5).

Tongues were a help to the church only when the praise to God was interpreted, that all might share in the blessing of what was said to Him. Interpretation itself was on of the sign gifts.

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 prophesying, or by doctrine? (v. 6).

Tongues, when interpreted, were edifying to the church. However, when it came to believers being doctrinally instructed, they were to be ministered to by the prophetic gift. This was direct revelation from God, conveying knowledge and doctrine. Tongues were from man to God, and had to do mainly with praise.

Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church (v. 12).

To excel would be to profit and edify the church by means of the best gift [prophecy], rather than by the least gift [tongues].

I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all (v. 18).

In Paul's extensive missionary travels he encountered many Jews, to whom the sign of tongues was duly given.

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 (v. 19).

In its benefit to the church, the gift of prophecy was 2,000 times more valuable than the gift of tongues.

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 who believe. 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? (vv. 22, 23).

It was necessary to exercise the right gift for the right people. Even at Pentecost there were those who, "mocking, said, These men are full of new wine" (Acts 2:13).

But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convicted of all, he is judged of all. 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 (vv. 24, 25).

What could be a greater contrast then the reactions to these two gifts? Untranslated tongues reminded the unlearned and unbeliever of drunkenness and madness, while Spirit-directed prophecy brought conviction of sin and worship of God.

Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues (v. 39).

Many unsaved Jews attended these early church meetings for one reason or another, and God in mercy was still giving them the sign of tongues. But there was soon to be a change.

ISRAEL SUSPENDED -- We see in the Old Testament that Israel rejected God the Father, we see in the Gospels that they rejected God the Son, and we see in Acts that they rejected the witness of God the Spirit. The closing of Israel's national opportunity began when they rejected the Messiah at Pentecost and culminated at the end of Acts, thus spanning the years 30 to approximately 62 A.D.

Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you; but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles...

Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon you own hands; I am clean. From now on I will go unto the Gentiles...

And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after Paul had spoken one word, "Well spoke the Holy Spirit by Isaiah, the prophet, unto your fathers, Saying, ‘Go unto this people, and say, hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive...’ Be it known, therefore, unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and they will hear it." And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had great disputing among themselves (Acts 13:46; 18:5, 6; 28:25-29).

With Israel set aside, she now has neither priority nor privilege. She is in the same position as any other nation in relation to the promises and claims of the Gospel, until God resumes His dealings (Kingdom) with her after the Rapture of the Church. Until then, it is "whosoever will.