Prophecy Is Greater Than Tongues
Study note
Building on the love chapter, Paul urges the Corinthians to pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially prophecy. The one who speaks in tongues speaks to God in mysteries that no one understands, edifying only himself. The one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and comfort, building up the entire church. Paul wishes all would speak in tongues but even more that they would prophesy, unless the tongues are interpreted.
1 Chase after love with everything you have. At the same time, eagerly desire the gifts the Spirit gives, especially the ability to speak messages from God. Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
2 When someone speaks in an unknown language, they are talking to God, not to people. Nobody around them understands what they are saying. Through the Spirit, they are expressing hidden truths. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
3 But when someone speaks a message from God, they are talking right to people. They build them up, cheer them on, and comfort them. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
4 Speaking in an unknown language builds up the person speaking. But speaking a message from God builds up the whole church. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
5 I would love it if all of you spoke in unknown languages. But I would love it even more if you all spoke messages from God. The person who speaks God's message is more valuable than the one who speaks in an unknown language -- unless someone translates what is said, so the whole church can be strengthened. I would 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 edifying.
The Importance of Intelligibility
Study note
Paul uses vivid illustrations: musical instruments that do not produce distinct notes are useless; a trumpet giving an unclear signal leaves soldiers unprepared for battle. Speaking in tongues without interpretation is like talking into the air. Since the Corinthians are eager for spiritual gifts, they should seek to excel in those that build up the church. Even Paul himself, who speaks in tongues more than any of them, would rather speak five intelligible words in church to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
6 Think about it, friends: if I came to you speaking in an unknown language, how would that help you? It would be completely useless unless I also brought you a message from God, some piece of knowledge, a prophecy, or a teaching. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
7 Think of a flute or a harp. They are not alive. But if they do not play clear notes, how will anyone know the song? And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 And if a trumpet blows a muddled sound, who is going to gear up for battle? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9 It is the same with you. If the words coming out of your mouth are not clear and easy to follow, how will anyone know what you are talking about? You will be talking into thin air. So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
10 There are all kinds of languages in the world, and every one of them carries meaning. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
11 If I do not understand someone's language, I am a stranger to them and they are a stranger to me. Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
12 Since you are so eager for spiritual gifts, try to get the ones that help the whole church grow. Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
13 Therefore anyone who speaks in an unknown language should pray for the ability to translate what they say. Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
14 When I pray in an unknown language, my spirit is praying, but my mind is not engaged. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 So what should I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind so I understand what I am saying. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
16 If you are only praising God with your spirit in a language no one understands, how can someone who does not know what is going on say 'Amen' to your prayer of thanks? They have no idea what you just said. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
17 Your prayer of thanks might be wonderful, but it does nothing to build up the other person. For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18 I am grateful that I speak in unknown languages more than any of you. I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
19 But in a church meeting, I would rather say five words people grasp. That beats ten thousand words in a language no one knows. Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
The Effect on Unbelievers
Study note
Paul calls the Corinthians to mature thinking. Citing Isaiah, he explains that tongues function as a sign for unbelievers, but not in the way they assume. If the whole church speaks in tongues and an outsider enters, they will conclude the worshipers are out of their minds. But if all prophesy and an unbeliever comes in, the secrets of their heart are exposed, and they will fall down worshiping God, declaring that God is truly among them.
20 Friends, stop thinking like children about this. When it comes to evil, yes, be as innocent as babies. But when it comes to understanding, grow up. Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
21 God's law says, 'I will use people who speak foreign languages and the lips of outsiders to talk to this nation. And even then they will not listen to me,' says the Lord. In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
22 So speaking in unknown languages serves as a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, on the other hand, is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
23 Picture the whole church gathered. Everyone speaks in unknown languages at once. Someone who does not grasp this walks in. Won't they think you all lost your minds? If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
24 But if everyone is speaking messages from God and an unbeliever or newcomer walks in, they will feel convicted. Everything they hear will search their hearts. But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
25 The secrets buried in their heart will be brought out into the open. They will drop to their knees and worship God, saying, "God is definitely here among you!" And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
Order in Worship
Study note
Paul provides specific regulations for orderly worship: when the church gathers, each person may bring a psalm, teaching, revelation, tongue, or interpretation, but everything must be done for building up. Tongue speakers should be limited to two or three, speaking in turn, with an interpreter present; without one, they should remain silent in the assembly. Prophets should speak two or three at a time, with others evaluating what is said. Paul grounds his instructions in the character of God: he is not a God of disorder but of peace. He concludes by commanding that all things be done properly and in order.
26 So here is how it should work, friends. When you meet together, one person has a song and another has a teaching. One has a message from God, another speaks in an unknown language, and another explains it. Make sure everything strengthens the group. How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
27 If people speak in unknown languages, limit it to two or three, and they should go one at a time. Someone must interpret. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28 If no one is there to interpret, the person speaking in a tongue should stay quiet during the meeting. They can speak to themselves and to God. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29 Two or three people should share messages from God, and the rest should carefully evaluate what is said. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
30 If God reveals something to a person who is sitting and listening, the current speaker should let them share. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
31 You can all take turns sharing messages from God, one at a time. That way everyone can learn and be cheered up. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
32 People who speak messages from God are in control of their own gift. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33 Because God is not a God of chaos. He is a God of peace. This is true in every gathering of his people. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
34 Women should remain quiet during the church meetings. They are not permitted to speak up but should be in a position of respect, just as the law says. Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
35 If they have questions, they should ask their own husbands when they get home. It is considered improper for a woman to speak out during the church meeting. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
36 Wait a minute -- did God's word start with you? Are you the only ones it reached? What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
37 Does someone think they are a prophet or have a gift from God? Then they should see that what I write here is a command from the Lord. If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
38 If someone ignores this, they will be ignored. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 So, my friends, be eager to speak messages from God, and do not stop people from speaking in unknown languages. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
40 Make sure everything is done in a fitting and orderly way. Let all things be done decently and in order.