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1 Make love your most important objective! But also do your best to gain spiritual gifts, especially the ability to speak God's message.* Literally, “prophesy,” but in the sense of telling the good news rather than foretelling the future. The terms “speaks God's message,” “God's prophetic message,” or “speaks for God” are used here. 2 Those who speak in a tongue† This is clearly not the use of normal human language. There is much debate over this phenomenon. Clearly the early church was gifted with the ability to speak and be understood in different human languages as Acts 2 makes clear. However some kind of “ecstatic utterance” appears to be in view here. Its practice in Corinth was being abused, and so Paul has to counteract the problem here. are not talking to people, but to God, because nobody can understand them as they speak mysteries in the Spirit. 3 However, the words of those who speak for God build people up—they provide encouragement and comfort. 4 Those that speak in a tongue only build themselves up, but those who speak God's message build up the church. I would like it if you all spoke in tongues, but I'd prefer if you could speak God's message. 5 Those who speak for God are more important than those who speak in tongues, unless they interpret what's been said, so that the church can be built up.
6 Brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what benefit would I be to you unless I bring you some revelation, or knowledge, or prophetic message, or teaching? 7 Even when it comes to something non-living such as musical instruments like a flute or a harp: if they don't produce clear notes, how will you know what tune is being played? 8 Similarly, if the trumpet doesn't give a clear sound, who will get ready for battle? 9 It's the same situation for you—unless you speak using words that are easy to understand, who will know what you're saying? What you say will be lost on the wind. 10 There are surely many languages in this world, and there is meaning in every one of them. 11 If I don't understand the language, those who speak make no sense to me, and I make no sense to them.‡ Literally, I am a barbarian to the one who speaks, and the one who speaks is a barbarian to me. The very word “barbarian” comes from the idea that sounds being made make no sense—“baa-baa” etc. 12 It's the same for you—if you are keen to have spiritual gifts, try to have many of those that will build up the church. 13 Anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that they're able to translate what they say. 14 For if I pray out loud in a tongue, my spirit is praying, but it does nothing for my understanding!
15 So then, what should I do? I will pray “in the Spirit,” but I will pray with my mind too. I will sing “in the Spirit,” but I will sing with my mind too.§ Paul here seems to be using the phraseology of some of those in Corinth who were proud of being “in the Spirit” as if that was superior to anything else. Paul points out that being “in the Spirit” is not helpful unless it produces understanding. 16 For if you only pray “in the Spirit,” how can ordinary people that don't have understanding say “Amen” after your prayer of thanks, since they haven't a clue what you said? 17 You might have said a great prayer of thanks, but the other hasn't been helped! 18 I thank God that I can speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in church I would rather speak five understandable words to teach others than ten thousand words in a tongue nobody understands. 20 Brothers and sisters, don't think like children. Be as innocent as babies in regard to evil, but be grown up in your understanding. 21 As Scripture records, “ ‘I will speak to my people through other languages and the lips of foreigners, but even then they won't listen to me,’ says the Lord.”* Isaiah 28:11, 12.
22 Speaking in tongues is a sign, not to believers, but those who don't believe. Speaking God's prophetic message is the opposite: it is not for those who don't believe, but for believers. 23 If the whole church is meeting together and you are all speaking in tongues, and some people come in who don't understand, or people who don't believe, won't they say that you are insane? 24 But if everyone is speaking God's message, and someone comes in who isn't a believer, or someone who doesn't understand, they will be convinced and called to account by everyone's words. 25 The secrets of their heart will be laid bare, so they will fall to their knees† Literally, “fall on his face.” and worship God, affirming that God is truly among you.
26 So then, brothers and sisters, what should you do? When you meet together, different people will sing, or teach, or share a special message, or speak in a tongue, or give an interpretation. But everything should be done to build up and encourage the church. 27 If anyone wants to speak in a tongue, make it just two, or three at the most, taking turns, and someone should interpret what is said. 28 If there's no one there to interpret, those who speak in tongues should keep quiet in church and only speak to themselves, and God. 29 Similarly, have two or three of those who give God's prophetic message speak, and let everyone else think about what was said. 30 However if a special revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, then the first speaker should give way to them. 31 You can all speak for God, one at a time, so that everyone can learn and be encouraged. 32 It is for those who speak for God to control their prophetic inspiration, 33 for God is not a God of disorder but of peace and quiet.‡ This statement is to deal with the situation where people are claiming special revelation/inspiration and therefore wanting precedence—with the obvious arguments that would result. This is the way it should be in all the churches of God's people. 34 “Women should stay quiet in the churches—they shouldn't speak. They should respect their situation, as the laws states. 35 If they want to learn they can do so at home, asking their husbands. It is not proper§ “Not proper.” By using this term (which also can mean shameful or disgraceful) Paul reveals this is related to the cultural context. for women to speak in church.”* The reason for placing 14:34-35 in quote marks is the understanding that this is the position outlined in the letter from Corinth, and Paul is quoting them before refuting their argument. The fact that just 3 chapters earlier in 11:5 Paul refers to women praying and prophesying indicates that this statement cannot be read as a blanket ban on women speaking in church. From the context it appears possible that women in the church at Corinth were questioning and arguing, being part of the disorder he mentions, and this suggested solution in the letter from the church at Corinth is what Paul is addressing here. 36 What? Did the word of God begin with you? Are you the only ones it came to? 37 Anyone who thinks they are a prophet, or that they have some spiritual gift, should be aware that what I'm writing to you is a command of the Lord. 38 Those who ignore this will themselves be ignored. 39 So my brothers and sisters, make it your aim to speak for God. Don't prohibit speaking in tongues. 40 Just make sure everything done is done properly and in an orderly manner.

*14:1 Literally, “prophesy,” but in the sense of telling the good news rather than foretelling the future. The terms “speaks God's message,” “God's prophetic message,” or “speaks for God” are used here.

†14:2 This is clearly not the use of normal human language. There is much debate over this phenomenon. Clearly the early church was gifted with the ability to speak and be understood in different human languages as Acts 2 makes clear. However some kind of “ecstatic utterance” appears to be in view here. Its practice in Corinth was being abused, and so Paul has to counteract the problem here.

‡14:11 Literally, I am a barbarian to the one who speaks, and the one who speaks is a barbarian to me. The very word “barbarian” comes from the idea that sounds being made make no sense—“baa-baa” etc.

§14:15 Paul here seems to be using the phraseology of some of those in Corinth who were proud of being “in the Spirit” as if that was superior to anything else. Paul points out that being “in the Spirit” is not helpful unless it produces understanding.

*14:21 Isaiah 28:11, 12.

†14:25 Literally, “fall on his face.”

‡14:33 This statement is to deal with the situation where people are claiming special revelation/inspiration and therefore wanting precedence—with the obvious arguments that would result.

§14:35 “Not proper.” By using this term (which also can mean shameful or disgraceful) Paul reveals this is related to the cultural context.

*14:35 The reason for placing 14:34-35 in quote marks is the understanding that this is the position outlined in the letter from Corinth, and Paul is quoting them before refuting their argument. The fact that just 3 chapters earlier in 11:5 Paul refers to women praying and prophesying indicates that this statement cannot be read as a blanket ban on women speaking in church. From the context it appears possible that women in the church at Corinth were questioning and arguing, being part of the disorder he mentions, and this suggested solution in the letter from the church at Corinth is what Paul is addressing here.

© 2018 Dr. Jonathan Gallagher