1 Corinthians 13:1-14:40 13:8-12 Love is the only thing that will last. When Christ returns there will be no more need for apostles to go out, or for prophets to speak, or for teachers to teach. Even knowledge will pass away. Paul describes knowing in part and prophesying in part. But when perfection comes, at Christ's return, these imperfect things will disappear.
Paul describes this as being like children now. But then, when Christ returns, believers will put away "childish things" and be spiritually mature. He uses another metaphor of seeing a poor reflection in a mirror. That is the current reality. But when Christ returns the believers will see Him face-to-face. Now Paul says he knows in part, but then (when Christ returns) he will know fully even as God fully knows him now.
v. 13 Faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love because it alone will prevail. Faith will no longer be necessary after Christ returns and the believers are together with Him. Hope will not be needed because the greatest thing they hoped for has happened-- they are together with Christ.
But love will never end. It goes on forever because God is love.
14:1-5 Paul again reminds them to "follow the way of love." He contrasts two of the spiritual gifts-- tongues and prophecy.
Tongues |
Prophecy |
speaking to God |
speaking to men |
not speaking to men |
for their strengthening |
no one understands him |
for their encouragement |
utters mysteries |
for their comfort |
edifies himself |
edifies the church |
tongues is a good thing |
prophecy is greater than tongues |
but needs an interpreter | |
v. 6-8 Paul asks what good would it do for him to come to their gathering and speak to them in tongues. He should instead bring "some revelation, or knowledge, or prophecy, or word of instruction." Even lifeless things (a flute, harp, or trumpet) are supposed to give a clear signal that means something to the hearers.
v. 9-11 So it is with the church. They must speak intelligible words or else they are simply speaking into the air. If they all speak in tongues when they are gathered together it's no different than if they were all foreigners to one another. But Paul wants them to "excel in gifts that build up the church."
v.12-15 Speaking in tongues only builds up the one who is speaking--unless there is an interpreter. Edifying oneself is not a bad thing. However, Paul wants those who speak in tongues to pray that they will also be able to interpret. Then their speaking will build up those who listen. The one who speaks in tongues does not necessarily understand what he or she is saying. Paul says the person's spirit prays or sings in tongues but their mind is "unfruitful." He wants them to pray or sing with both their mind and their spirit.
v. 16-17 Someone may praise God by speaking in tongues but others who are near him will not understand and therefore can't agree with the speaker (or "say Amen") because they don't know what he's saying. Tongues without an interpreter doesn't edify or build up the listeners.
v. 18-21 Paul is not against speaking in tongues. He says that he speaks in tongues more than all the Corinthian believers. But when he is in the assembly of the church he would rather speak five words that people can understand rather than 10,000 words in a tongue they do not understand. He wants the readers to think like adults. They should be child-like and innocent when it comes to evil but adults when it comes to spiritual gifts. Isaiah 28 is quoted.
v. 22-25 Tongues is a sign for unbelievers but prophecy is for believers. It's easy to see how prophecy is for believers because it is by definition speech that encourages and strengthens believers. Paul contrasts the difference between the whole church speaking tongues at the same time and the whole church prophesying at the same time. If some unbelievers come in while everyone is speaking in tongues they will not understand what's being said and will come to the conclusion that "you are out of your mind." But if some unbelievers come in while everyone is prophesying, they will be convicted of their sin and fall down to worship God saying, "God is really among you!"
v. 26-32 Paul is instructing the Corinthian readers in how to conduct their worship service. Each of them brings something to the service-- a hymn, some instruction, a revelation, a tongue or interpretation. All of these are good and necessary for the strengthening of the church. But only two or three should speak in tongues and only if someone is able to interpret. Similarly, only two or three should prophesy and the others should weigh carefully what is said. People with the gift of prophecy are not infallible. Their words should be evaluated by mature believers. Only one person should speak at a time. If a word comes to another person while one is speaking then the first one should sit down and allow him to speak. A person with a prophetic gift is in control of his faculties. He or she is able to stop prophesying and yield to another prophet.
v. 33-35 God is not a God of disorder. Paul reminds them that in all the congregations outside of Corinth the women remain silent in the church service. "They are not allowed to speak." If they have a question they are to ask their husband at home (not during the assembly). An unmarried woman would ask her father or another male family member who is in a position of authority over her. It is unlikely that Paul is expecting absolute silence from the women since he said earlier that women should cover their heads when they pray or prophesy in the church gathering. No doubt the women also sang in the assembly. But the women were not to ask questions or engage in a debate with the men. This was culturally inappropriate. Paul is expecting the Corinthian believers to operate the same way as other congregations.
v. 36-38 "Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?" Paul's rhetorical questions suggest that the Corinthians may have viewed themselves as unique or special. But he wants them to conduct themselves in the same orderly manner that he expects of all the churches. If they are spiritually mature they should acknowledge that this is "the Lord's command." Those who ignore his instruction "will be ignored."
v. 39-40 Here's the bottom line-- Paul wants the Corinthian believers to "be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."
-- Sandy
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