1 Corinthians 14:1-25 - Appropriate Use Of Prophecy And Tongues

¹ You should make loving [others] your aim, yet eagerly desire [to possess] spiritual gifts, and especially [the gift of] prophecy. ² For the person who speaks in a language [supernaturally] does not speak to people, but to God, for no one can understand him [i.e., unless there is an interpreter or it is the person's native language]; he speaks [previously] unrevealed truths under the influence of the Holy Spirit [or "in his spirit"]. [Note: For a correct understanding of this chapter, it must be kept in mind that Paul is addressing a misuse ofthe gift of speaking in languages supernaturally. The Corinthians were doing this in the wrong way and for the wrong purpose]. ³ But the person who prophesies speaks [God's message] to people to build them up [spiritually], encourage them and comfort them. ⁴ The person who speaks in a language [supernaturally], builds up [only] himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. ⁵ Now I would like all of you to speak in languages [supernaturally], but I would rather have you prophecy. For the person who prophesies is more important [i.e., to the church] than those who speak in languages [supernaturally], unless that person interprets [the languages], so the church can be built up [spiritually].

⁶ But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in languages [supernaturally], how will I benefit you unless my speaking consists of a revelation [from God], or a [message of] knowledge [See 12:8], or a prophecy, or a teaching? [i.e., the message must be intelligible to be beneficial]. ⁷ [This is true] even of inanimate objects which make sounds, such as a flute or harp. If they do not make distinguishable sounds, how will anyone know what tune [or signal] is being played? ⁸ For if the trumpet gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for a battle? ⁹ So, unless you people also speak clearly with your tongue, how will your speaking be understood? For it will be like you were speaking into the air. ¹⁰ There are, no doubt, many kinds of sounds [i.e., languages] in the world, and none of them is meaningless. ¹¹ So, if I do not know the meaning of the sound [i.e., language], I will [appear] as a foreigner to the person speaking [that language to me]. And the person speaking [to me] will [appear] as a foreigner to me. ¹² So, you people also, since you are eager for [supernatural] spiritual gifts, should look for ways to excel in building up the church.

¹³ Therefore, the person who speaks in a language [supernaturally] should pray [i.e., in advance] for the ability to interpret it [as well]. ¹⁴ For if I pray in a language [supernaturally], [it is] my spirit that is praying, but my mind does not understand [what I am saying]. [Note: Here Paul raises an objection to the use of a language without the person knowing what he is saying]. ¹⁵ What should I do then? I will pray with my spirit [i.e. from within], and I will pray with my understanding also [i.e., with a knowledge of what I am saying]. I will sing with my spirit, and I will sing with my understanding also. ¹⁶ For if you [ask God to] bless with your spirit [i.e., in a language supernaturally], how will the person there, who does not have the gift [i.e., of interpreting the language] be able to say, "May it be so," when you offer [a prayer of] thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? ¹⁷ For [though] you truly offer thanksgiving acceptably, the other person is not built up. ¹⁸ I thank God that I speak in languages [i.e., supernaturally] more than all of you. ¹⁹ However, in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my understanding, so that I can instruct other people also, than to speak ten thousand words in a language [that people do not understand].

²⁰ Brothers, do not be children in the way you think, but be babies in wrongdoing; yet be mature in your thinking. ²¹ It is written in the law [Isa. 28:11f], "I [i.e., God] will speak to these people [i.e., the Israelites] by men with foreign languages and through the lips of strangers, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord." ²² Therefore, languages [i.e., spoken supernaturally] are for a [miraculous] sign to unbelievers, not to believers. But prophesying is for a [miraculous] sign to believers, not to unbelievers. ²³ Therefore, if the whole church assembles together and everyone speaks in languages [i.e., supernaturally], and outsiders [i.e., people who do not understand the language being spoken] or unbelievers come [into the assembly], will they not say that you people are crazy? ²⁴ But if everyone prophesies and someone comes [into the assembly] who is an outsider or an unbeliever, he will be convicted [of his sins] by everyone [i.e., who speaks the message in an intelligible language], and judged by everyone. ²⁵ The secrets of his heart will be revealed so that he will fall [to the ground] on his face and worship God, declaring that God is truly among you.