Thematic Bible: Sometimes abused
Thematic Bible
Language » Power of speaking different » Sometimes abused
Hence, if the whole church has met and everybody speaks in ecstasy, and illiterate people or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are crazy?
Verse Concepts
For whoever speaks in ecstasy is speaking not to men but to God, for no one understands him, and yet by the Spirit he is speaking secret truths. But whoever prophesies is speaking to men for their upbuilding. encouragement, and comfort. Whoever speaks in ecstasy builds up himself alone, but whoever prophesies builds up the congregation too. read more.
I would like for all of you to speak in ecstasy, but I would rather that you prophesy. The man who speaks with real prophetic insight renders greater service than the man who speaks in ecstasy, unless the latter explains it, so the congregation may receive an uplift. But as it now is, brothers, if I do come back to you speaking in ecstasy, what good shall I do you, unless my speech contains a revelation or new knowledge or a prophetic message or some teaching? Even inanimate things, like the flute or the harp, may give out sounds, but if there is no difference in the notes, how can the tune that is played on the flute or the harp be told? Again, indeed, if the bugle does not sound a call distinct and clear, who will prepare for battle? So it is with you; unless in your ecstatic speaking you speak a message that is clearly intelligible, how can the message spoken by you be understood? You might just as well be talking to the air! There are, supposedly, ever so many languages in the world, and not one is without its own meaning. So if I do not know the meaning of the language, I should be a foreigner to the man who speaks it, and he would be a foreigner to me. So, as you are ambitious for spiritual gifts, you must keep trying to excel for the upbuilding of the church.
I would like for all of you to speak in ecstasy, but I would rather that you prophesy. The man who speaks with real prophetic insight renders greater service than the man who speaks in ecstasy, unless the latter explains it, so the congregation may receive an uplift. But as it now is, brothers, if I do come back to you speaking in ecstasy, what good shall I do you, unless my speech contains a revelation or new knowledge or a prophetic message or some teaching? Even inanimate things, like the flute or the harp, may give out sounds, but if there is no difference in the notes, how can the tune that is played on the flute or the harp be told? Again, indeed, if the bugle does not sound a call distinct and clear, who will prepare for battle? So it is with you; unless in your ecstatic speaking you speak a message that is clearly intelligible, how can the message spoken by you be understood? You might just as well be talking to the air! There are, supposedly, ever so many languages in the world, and not one is without its own meaning. So if I do not know the meaning of the language, I should be a foreigner to the man who speaks it, and he would be a foreigner to me. So, as you are ambitious for spiritual gifts, you must keep trying to excel for the upbuilding of the church.