1 Corinthians 14:1-25

1 Corinthians 14:1-25
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.

Love comes first.

  ² For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. ³ But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. ⁴ Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. ⁵ I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.

Because love comes first, the edification of others comes first.
 
⁶ Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? ⁷ Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? ⁸ Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? ⁹ So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. ¹⁰ Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. ¹¹ If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. ¹² So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.

My church, for a time, gave the use of our building to a local Chinese church.  They held their services a a time different than ours and the entire service was not in English.  I am sure I could have attended their service.  I am sure I would have taken great joy in seeing the worship of our God in another language and culture.  When the pastor would preach I am sure I would see his passion for God.  But what benefit would his message be for me that day?

Make your message clear and build one another up.

¹³ For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. ¹⁴ For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. ¹⁵ So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. ¹⁶ Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? ¹⁷ You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.

"Edify stupid."  That phrase was a running joke my second year at Word of Life School of Youth Ministries and School of Evangelism. We used this oxymoron to get the point across that our goal was to lift one another up.

The phrase Amen, means "I agree.".  One would be a liar to say amen to what they don't understand.

¹⁸ I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. ¹⁹ But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Tongues is not something to be ashamed of, but clear communication that benefits your brother is of higher importance.  

²⁰ Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.

Every get that look of shock for being ignorant about the latest fad show on TV or not understanding the punch line of a crude joke?  Be happy.  That is a good thing.

  ²¹ In the Law it is written:

“With other tongues
    and through the lips of foreigners
I will speak to this people,
    but even then they will not listen to me,
says the Lord.”

²² Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. ²³ So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? ²⁴ But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, ²⁵ as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

Tongues is a proof gift so that unbelievers will see the message is from God.  Prophesy and interprettion of scripture in a language that the inquirers understand, is what convicts toward repentance and a change in course of their actions. 

God Bess.