Languages & Liturgy

How should a church handle languages and liturgy for the benefit of all.

1 Corinthians 14:1-25 Profit

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

Love is our highest goal, but prophecy or sharing the mind of God, is of special benefit to the church. This can be done in private conversation as well as public preaching.

1 Corinthians 14:2 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.

Speaking a foreign language to those who do not understand is a waste of time, except for private prayer.

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

The purposes of private and public prophecy in the church are: “strengthening, encouraging and comfort.” (NIV)

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

Foreign languages only edify those who understand them.

1 Corinthians 14:5 I would that ye all spake 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.

It is lax to allow tongues but neglect an interpreter.

1 Corinthians 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?

Teaching is more important than tongues.

1 Corinthians 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?

Just like music, tongues need to make sense.

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

Just like a battle bugle, tongues need to make sense.

1 Corinthians 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.

Tongues without interpretation are like speaking into the air.

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

Any use of language has a purpose.

1 Corinthians 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.

Communication between languages without an interpreter present is very difficult.

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

So, we should seek gifts that edify others.

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

If we cannot speak the local language, pray for an interpreter.

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

Prayer in a language that is unknown to the speaker, is unfruitful.

1 Corinthians 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.

Better to speak in a language that we know, and interpret for those who do not know it.

1 Corinthians 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?

Saying “Amen” at the end of a prayer presumes that we know and agree to what was said.

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

Even if our prayer is one of thanksgiving, if a hearer does not understand, it is still of no benefit.

1 Corinthians 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

Paul, as a well-educated missionary, probably spoke many regional languages.

1 Corinthians 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.

Still, a language unknown to the hearer is of no benefit.

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

We should be innocent as a child, but understand these things as adults.

1 Corinthians 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.