1 Corinthians 14

1 Corinthians 14:1

After grazing in the peaceful pasture of chapter 13, we come to the potentially thorny territory of chapter 14 wherein Paul picks up his discussion of the manifestations of the Spirit… Notwithstanding the fact that they were abusing the manifestations of the Spirit, Paul doesn’t tell the church at Corinth to dismiss “spirituals.” Nor does he tell them to deny them. He tells them to desire them. If, after seeing a man who weighed four hundred pounds lumber down the street, you decided to give up eating altogether, you wouldn’t live very long. Yes, the man you saw may have eaten too muchbut the answer to abuse is not non-use. It’s proper use. So, too, the church at Corinth had a heavyweight problem. They had abused the manifestations of the Spirit. They had misunderstood the principles of ministry. But the answer was not to deny the work of the Spirit. The answer was to learn how to use the manifestations properly. Much of what we see today in the church is a reaction against those who have misused the gifts or the manifestations of the Spirit. However, the answer to that which is being abused is not to forsake, but to properly understand. This is what Paul presses for in the chapter at hand. “Desire spiritual manifestations,” says Paul"but especially that you might share the heart of the Lord with the congregation."

1 Corinthians 14:2

Perhaps you’ve been in church services where someone stands up and gives an utterance in tongues, followed by what is supposed to be the interpretationa word to the congregation. I do not believe such an occurrence is a proper understanding of tongues and interpretation. Paul says a true interpretation of tongues will not be addressed to men, but to God. A true interpretation of tongues gives praise and adoration to the Fathernot a message to the congregation. Go through the Book of Acts, and you will see that prophecy consists of words spoken to the congregation, while tongues and interpretation consist of praise to God. In Romans 8, Paul would say there are times that the Spirit prays through us with groanings that cannot be uttered (Rom_8:26). Have you ever been at the place where you simply don’t know how to pray and you just start groaning? Many times people will say, “Pray that I’ll get this job.” Now, I don’t know if it is necessarily God’s will that they get that particular job. It might be a disaster for them. It might be a distraction to them. They might make more money, but lose their passion for the kingdom in the process.

So what do I do? Oftentimes, when I don’t know how to pray, I just allow the Spirit to pray through mesometimes with groanings, sometimes in an unknown languagebecause the Spirit understands perfectly that which is a mystery to me. And as I let Him pray through me, I know I’m praying according to God’s will.

1 Corinthians 14:3

The prayer language or the manifestation of tongues is God-ward. Prophecy is directed toward people. When someone stands up on a Sunday evening and shares a word of prophecy, it will either be for edificationthrough which the Lord builds us up, for exhortationthrough which He gets us going, or for comfortthrough which He wraps His loving arm around us.

1 Corinthians 14:4

Our faith is built up when we study the Word (Rom_10:17). Faith is built up through seasons of prayer. Faith is built up through worship and adoration. In Jud_1:20 and here in 1 Corinthians, we are told faith is built up by praying in tongues. Ever feel torn down, worn out, caving in? Here’s a weapon in the arsenal, a tool in the toolbox to pull out at such times. Pray in the Spirit. Utilize your prayer language and watch your faith grow. Although praying in the Spirit builds up my faith, it has no impact on anyone else unless it is accompanied by interpretation. Prophecy, howeverspeaking forth the heart of the Lord through words of edification, exhortation, or comforthas a powerful impact on others.

1 Corinthians 14:5

“Are all apostles, are all prophets, do all speak with tongues?” asked Paul (see 1Co_12:29-30). The implied answer being no, why, then, would he say here, “I want you all to speak in tongues”? In chapter 12, Paul is talking about the public expression of tongues, followed by interpretationand only a few people will move in that particular expression. Here in chapter 14, he’s talking about the private, devotional use of tongues, which is available to everyone. Jesus said one of the signs of those who believe is that they would speak with new tongues (Mar_16:17). He didn’t say tongues were a sign of those who are “Pentecostal” or even of those who are baptized in the Spirit, but simply of those who believe. When the manifestation of tongues is followed by interpretation, the entire church can be built up through the praise and prayer that are offered. But without interpretation, prophecy is infinitely more valuable to the congregation.

1 Corinthians 14:6

“It is through words of doctrine or revelation of prophecy that you will grow,” says Paul. “If I come speaking words you can’t understand, it would be of no more help to you than listening to someone play random notes on a musical instrument.”

1 Corinthians 14:8

It’s amazing what one can do if he knows how to play the bugle. One set of notes will get the troops out of bed. Another set signals day’s end. But if the bugler plays unfamiliar notes, the soldiers won’t know whether it’s time to have breakfast or to charge into battle.

1 Corinthians 14:9

Again, referring to the congregational setting, Paul says he who speaks words that have no significance to the listener is simply speaking into the air.

1 Corinthians 14:10

When you’re in another country, although the words spoken have significance to the people who live there, they mean nothing to you.

1 Corinthians 14:12

“You’re zealous for these spiritual expressions or manifestations. Good for you,” Paul says. “But seek after the gift of prophecyspeaking to people by the Spirit in a language all can understandwords simple to embrace, words that edify, comfort, or exhort.

1 Corinthians 14:13

If you do speak in an unknown tongue in a group setting, pray that you will also be able to give the interpretation of your praise and adoration.

1 Corinthians 14:14

Although when I pray in the Spirit, I don’t understand what I’m praying, my spiritthe deepest part of me, the core of my beingis built up miraculously and beautifully.

1 Corinthians 14:15

“I will,” says Paul. This is where many people have a terrible time with the prayer language, or tongues. They say, “If this is for me and if it will edify my spirit, I’m open to speaking in tongues.” They might ask for the laying on of hands. They might be in a position where they are sincerely waiting on the Lord. But nothing happens. “I just want to express my love to the Lord in this unique way, but nothing’s happening,” they say in frustrationas though they believe that somehow they’re going to go into a trance, their eyes will become glazed, they’ll quiver and shake, and their tongue will begin moving against their will. Paul simply says, “I will pray in the Spirit. It’s a choice I make.” When we teach our kids or new believers to pray, we don’t say, “Sit there until something happens. If you’re really supposed to pray, you’ll pray.” No, we set an example for them and give a model to them. Many times, I’ll have someone repeat after me, “Dear Jesus, come into my heart…” as a simple prayer of salvation. Does the fact that they’re echoing my words make their prayer ineffective or insincere? No. They’re just learning how to pray, and that’s where they’re at in their development. So, too, I suggest that praying in the Spirit is a lot simpler than we make it. It’s just saying, “I will pray right now with words I don’t understand, trusting the Lord is inspiring these words and partnering with me in the process.” Praying in the Spirit is not a feeling I feel. It’s a decision I make. And once I begin to do this, it’s so simple. I’m not on a tongues-speaking kick by any stretch of the imagination. But it’s a beautiful expression for me personally to say, “I don’t know how to pray with understanding about this. I’m frazzled and fried mentally. So I’m going to pray in the Spirit.” As I do, my spirit is edified. The prayer language is available to anyone, to everyone who simply believes.

1 Corinthians 14:16

“Amen” is one of two words understood by every believer in every culturethe other is “Alleluia.” Paul says, “Unless there is interpretation of tongues, how can the congregation say Amen?” Why should we say Amen? “Amen” literally means “So be it.” When the word was given to those charging exorbitant rates of interest to quit ripping off their fellow Jews, the people said, “Amen!” (see Neh_5:13) “Blessing and honor and glory and power be unto Him that sits upon the throne,” says every creature. “Amen!” say the four beasts (see Rev_5:13-14). The Corinthian believers were also those who said, “Amen” when prayer ascended. And that is as it should be. Too many of our prayer meetings are lethargic because while someone is praying, others are nodding off. How much better it would be if, when there is praise ascending and prayer being offered, we would be like those in Nehemiah’s day, those in heaven, those in the early church who say, “Amen,” engaging ourselves in the process of prayer. Jesus taught about the importance of agreeing together in prayer. One of the most practical ways this can happen is when I simply say, “Amen, Lord. So be it,” to the prayer of my brother.

1 Corinthians 14:17

Lest any at Corinth thought Paul was quenching the Spirit by putting parameters on the public expression of tongues, he reminds them that he spoke in tongues more than any of them. Even so, in the congregational setting, he preferred speaking that which would be understood by all.

1 Corinthians 14:20

“Of malice, be ignorant; but in understanding, be wise,” says Paul as he goes on to add understanding to the subject of tongues…

1 Corinthians 14:21

In Deuteronomy 28, the Lord said, “As My people turn their back on Me and become cold toward Me, they will hear the tongues of other nations when foreigners invade their land.” We see the fulfillment of this in Isaiah 28, when, because God’s people had grown indifferent toward Him, the Assyrians were allowed to occupy their land. Because of this historical reference, when Paul says tongues are for a sign to them that believe not, it is my strong personal opinion that he is speaking not of unbelievers, but to believers who, like those in Isaiah’s day, have grown indifferent or callused toward the Lord. In other words, he’s speaking to those who don’t believe in the present power of the Holy Spirit. For some reason, the issue of tongues seems to be the line in the sand that separates people who, having grown callused, say, “No. God is not working today. He cannot be moving in this manner. Those miracles and expressions were for a different era, a different day.”

1 Corinthians 14:23

As valid a sign as the proper expression of tongues may be, the improper use of them in a congregational setting is helpful to no one.

1 Corinthians 14:24

Whether prophecy is shared through the teaching of the Word or through individual utterance, even those who have not been exposed to the manifestations of the Spirit gain insight from it.

1 Corinthians 14:25

When God’s Word is spoken forth through the power of the Spiritin the sanctuary, in home groups, among believers in all sorts of contextsit convinces and convicts through a single message miraculously custom-made for each hearer.

1 Corinthians 14:26

Because Greek manuscripts contain no punctuation, the question is, where does the question mark belong? The context strongly indicates that it actually belongs after the word “interpretation.” This would change the meaning of this verse to, “How is it that every one of you is trying to get into the act? When you meet together, there is total confusion.”

1 Corinthians 14:27

Paul’s solution to the confusion was to allow only two or three to speak in tongues in the congregational settingand only if accompanied by interpretation. The rest were to think through what was being shared, determining if what they heard was in harmony with the totality of Scripture.

1 Corinthians 14:30

“As these manifestations of the Spirit are operating in the congregational setting, be careful not to dominate or monopolize the session as you’re waiting on the Lord together,” says Paul.

1 Corinthians 14:31

Sometimes people will justify odd behavior by saying they were overwhelmed by the Spirit. But here Paul says even while ministering in the Spirit, a man is never out of control.

1 Corinthians 14:33

If a teaching is being given, the Lord is not going to interrupt Himself with some kind of prophetic outburst, for He is not the author of confusion.

1 Corinthians 14:34

Following Jewish tradition, when the church at Corinth met together, the men sat on one side, the women on the other. Because laleo, the Greek word translated “speak,” can mean “chatter” or “interrupt,” there are those who say Paul is simply forbidding women from calling out to their husbands on the other side of the church, “Hey, Joe, what did he mean by that?” It could be that this is, indeed, what Paul is referring to. But I don’t think so. You see, once a person decides a particular text is only relevant to the culture in which it was written, where does he stop? He could just as easily conclude that baptism or Communiontopics discussed in this same Corinthian letterwere culturally related and don’t have meaning for modern America. “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints,” Paul said in verse 1Co_14:33. Therefore, to suggest that verse 1Co_14:34 relates only to the Corinthian congregation creates problems contextually. The verse before usa principle for all churches in all culturesdoes not mean that women are not to participate in the service, for in chapter 11, Paul said that women who pray and prophesy are free to do so as long as they are under the authority of their husbands. The best commentary on the Bible is the Bible itself. In 1 Timothy, we find a parallel text to the one before us… Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.1Ti_2:11-12 From this passage, we can see that Paul’s injunction that women not speak in church means they are not to teach men. Lest we think Paul chauvinistic, he goes on to give his reason… And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.1Ti_2:14 Appealing to a woman’s innate desire for deeper spirituality, Satan suggested to Eve that eating the forbidden fruit would make her more godly (Gen_3:5). Thus, in her desire for a more godly character, Eve was tricked. It is this admirable tendency in women that also makes them more susceptible to deception. Therefore, because of women’s vulnerability to error, man is to be the teacher of doctrine. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.1Ti_2:15 Women, your call is to pour your lives into your kids and grandchildren. Should the Lord tarry, if women took this charge seriously, we would see a church in the next generation that would change the world.

1 Corinthians 14:35

If a woman talks to her pastor or an elder about spiritual questions or matters, her husband is inadvertently left farther and farther in the background. On the other hand, if she asks her husband, he will be motivated to dig into Scripture himself. Even if her husband is not a believer, she is to ask him anyway. There are numerous men at Applegate Christian Fellowship as a result of their curiosity concerning their wives’ questions. “Barak, if you don’t lead your men into battle, the glory of the victory will eventually go to a woman,” said Deborah. And indeed it did (Jdg_4:9). I believe that when Paul says it’s a shame for a woman to speak, it’s because her speaking is indicative of a lack of leadership by the men. It’s a sad state when, in any group, a woman is the only one who can teach because the men are all too carnal, too weak, or too unwilling. God has and will bless women for filling inbut that is not His ideal.

1 Corinthians 14:36

There are two parts to this last verse: Things must be done decently and in orderbut let all things be done. Our Baptist brothers have the first part down perfectly, while our Pentecostal brothers excel at the last. What I believe the Lord has for Baptists, Pentecostals, and everyone in between is to allow prophecy, tongues, interpretation, gifts of healing, and words of knowledge and wisdom to flowbut in a decent, orderly manner. The same applies to us individually. According to those who study such things, the vast majority of people who own running shoes don’t run. That’s a lot like us. We say we believe that praying in the Spirit is meant for today. We believe in the validity of prophecy. We know the Holy Spirit wants to work wonders in and through us congregationally. We’ve got the running shoes. Let’s step out in the Spirit and run. Like Paul, let’s covet the gifts and then use them in a way that is harmonious, beautiful, and acceptable. The Holy Spirit is pictured as a dove for a reason. He’s not portrayed as a hawk coming in for the kill, or a vulture circling over the congregation to pick people to death with prophecies and words of knowledge. The dove is a bird of beauty, gentleness, and peace. And when the gifts and manifestations of the Spirit it represents are operating properly, the effect will likewise be beautiful, gentle, and peaceful.