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.
Even though we may speak other languages, many will not listen to the gospel.
1 Corinthians 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.
Speaking in a learned language or a miraculous unlearned language can convince skeptical unchurched people. But prophetic preaching is for the church.
1 Corinthians 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?
Imagine the feeling of awkwardness in attending a church filled with many languages and not one you understand.
1 Corinthians 14:24 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:
Imagine a church filled with those who understood and spoke God’s will to new people.
1 Corinthians 14:25 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.
A church filled with biblically literate Christians who hear what the Holy Spirit is saying for today, would surely convict the hearts of newcomers.
1 Corinthians 14:26-40 Order
1 Corinthians 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.
These gifts are a blessing to any church, but the liturgy of a service must be orderly.
1 Corinthians 14:27 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.
In multilingual situations, an interpreter is vital.
1 Corinthians 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
Where no interpreter is available, to avoid confusion that language cannot be used.
1 Corinthians 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
A church with several sermon givers is blessed.
1 Corinthians 14:30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
Interrupting each other is not called for.
1 Corinthians 14:31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
In a house church situation, many could make a comment and maintain unity.
1 Corinthians 14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
We are not out of control as if taking drugs.
1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Liturgy and order help prevent confusion. What is part of this order?
1 Corinthians 14:34 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.
There are 2 diametrically opposite interpretations to this: The traditional understanding is that a woman was not to be an official speaker. A more recent interpretation is that this was a problem among local Corinthian women only. Yet, it is in the context of confusion versus “peace, as in all churches of the saints.”
Yet again, Paul previously spoke of women prophesying. Was that public or private prophesy? Some believe that verses 34 and 35 were not in the original. Yet, no manuscript omits these verses. There are strong opinions on both sides.
One thing is indisputable: Jesus chose 12 Jewish men as apostles. Another thing is undeniable: love of those who have a different point of view is far more important.
1 Corinthians 14:35 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.
Again we face the two interpretations of this, the traditional view of Catholics, Orthodox and conservative Protestants versus a modern more liberal Protestant view.
1 Corinthians 14:36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
Corinth allowed innovations not found in the original church. This applies to many other additions after the apostles as well, such as icons, prayers to Mary, and many much later Protestant practices. The Christian church has never been perfect.
1 Corinthians 14:37 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.
If some claim a level of spiritual maturity, their acknowledgment of Paul’s teaching will prove it.
1 Corinthians 14:38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
The KJV is not very clear here. The NASB says, “But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized” and the NIV says, “But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.”
1 Corinthians 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
It is good to want to be able to speak God’s mind to others, and we should not forbid languages.
1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
This is the purpose of liturgy, to make a church service orderly.
