Thematic Bible: Sometimes abused
Thematic Bible
Language » Power of speaking different » Sometimes abused
If then the whole church be come together and all speak in unknown tongues, and there come in illiterate persons, or infidels, will they not say that ye are mad?
For he, that speaketh in an unknown tongue, speaketh not to men, but to God: for no one understandeth, though in spirit he speaketh mysteries. But he, that prophesieth, speaketh edification, and exhortation, and comfort to men. He, that speaketh in an unknown tongue, edifieth himself: but he, that prophesieth, edifieth the church. read more.
I could wish 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 edification. Now, my brethren, if I come to you speaking with many tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak intelligibly to you of revelation, or knowledge, or prophecy, or doctrine? As inanimate things which give a found, whether pipe or harp, unless they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall what is piped or harped be understood? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for the battle? So also unless ye utter by the tongue intelligible words, how shall what is spoken be understood? for thus ye will be only talking to the wind. There are, it may be, as many kinds of voices in the world as people, and none of them insignificant. But if I know not the force of the words, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian to me. So ye also, since ye are so desirous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound in them to the edification of the church.
I could wish 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 edification. Now, my brethren, if I come to you speaking with many tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak intelligibly to you of revelation, or knowledge, or prophecy, or doctrine? As inanimate things which give a found, whether pipe or harp, unless they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall what is piped or harped be understood? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for the battle? So also unless ye utter by the tongue intelligible words, how shall what is spoken be understood? for thus ye will be only talking to the wind. There are, it may be, as many kinds of voices in the world as people, and none of them insignificant. But if I know not the force of the words, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian to me. So ye also, since ye are so desirous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound in them to the edification of the church.