GIFTED FOR GROWTH
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Opening Prayer
Father, I come to your Word seeking wisdom and hope, looking for greater faith. Thank you that in it I find the answer for everything I need.
Read 1 CORINTHIANS 14:1–25
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Intelligibility in Worship
14 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a] does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening,encouraging and comfort. 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,[b] but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,[c] unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.
6 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.
13 For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. 16 Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer,[d] say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? 17 You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20 Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants,but in your thinking be adults. 21 In the Law it is written:
“With other tongues
and through the lips of foreigners
I will speak to this people,
but even then they will not listen to me,
says the Lord.”[e]
22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy,however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 14:2 Or in another language; also in verses 4, 13, 14, 19, 26 and 27
- 1 Corinthians 14:5 Or in other languages; also in verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and 39
- 1 Corinthians 14:5 Or in other languages; also in verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and 39
- 1 Corinthians 14:16 The Greek word for inquirer is a technical term for someone not fully initiated into a religion; also in verses 23 and 24.
- 1 Corinthians 14:21 Isaiah 28:11,12
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What gift has God given you that can encourage others in faith and unity?Sometimes we place greater emphasis on personal time with God than on our corporate worship. Both are important but Paul focuses here on the benefits of sharing in the gifts and insights of others. He is consumed by the need for Christians to grow in faith and unity. That happens best when spiritual gifts are used to nurture one another, by speaking intelligible words of truth to each other.
So, speaking in tongues (possibly ordinary foreign languages or angelic speech; see 13:1) is excellent for individual worship but may not be edifying for others (v. 17)—unless, of course, the unknown languages are interpreted. Prophecy is more beneficial because it speaks in a known language and strengthens, encourages, and comforts (v. 3). It’s not all about the person. So, let’s long for gifts that build the community.
God used foreign tongues in the past as a sign of judgment to Israel (e.g., Isaiah 28:11–13). They had not listened to his voice, and incomprehensible tongues confirmed them in their sin. If people hear but do not understand, they cannot repent. They are left bemused (v. 23). But prophecy leaves people in no doubt about their need. Getting behind their defenses can fulfill our longing for them to recognize God’s presence.
Apply
Are there fresh opportunities you can discern to use your gift more effectively?
Closing prayer
Holy Spirit, whatever gifts I have been granted, give me wisdom to express them in ways that point others to Jesus, show others more of who he is, and build their trust in him.
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