1 Corinthians 14
New International Version (NIV)
Intelligibility in Worship
14 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a] 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,[b] but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,[c]unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.
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.
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,[d] 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.
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.
20 Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 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.”[e]
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!”
Good Order in Worship
26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn,or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.
29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
34 Women[f] should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.[g]
36 Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. 38 But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.[h]
39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
Footnotes:
- 1 Corinthians 14:2 Or in another language; also in verses 4, 13, 14, 19, 26 and 27
- 1 Corinthians 14:5 Or in other languages; also in verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and 39
- 1 Corinthians 14:5 Or in other languages; also in verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and 39
- 1 Corinthians 14:16 The Greek word for inquirer is a technical term for someone not fully initiated into a religion; also in verses 23 and 24.
- 1 Corinthians 14:21 Isaiah 28:11,12
- 1 Corinthians 14:34 Or peace. As in all the congregations of the Lord’s people, 34 women
- 1 Corinthians 14:35 In a few manuscripts these verses come after verse 40.
- 1 Corinthians 14:38 Some manuscripts But anyone who is ignorant of this will be ignorant
Replies
I speaking tongue and do not have a clue of what I be saying. I have a prophet put them out of my chest. When, I feel a strong sensation in my head on back right side they just come out of my mouth when I feel this sensation. I use to would not open my mouth & let them out. Now, I do:)
Great teaching ! I noticed in some churches the tongue speaking is out of order. We as the body must get back into the edifying of the BODY ,There has to be more teachings on the Interpretation of the Tongues and when really to use it . The Lord has used me , to interpret my own tongues sometimes and also someone elses , but I only once told someone my interpretation from someone speaking in tongues and another person comfirmed the interpretation but a lot of places that I have been to does not have an interpreter . iam not for sure if this is one of my spiritual gifts that I need to mature or if it was something depending on the other person praying in tongues , I know that during the next few weeks the Lord will confirm this. Worship is to unlock the intimate door to the throne , that is what I feel .It is when his hidden secrets or messages , corrections he needs transfer or to correct me . I stand at an aweee in his presence , but it is ALL about listening and being able to tap into this Spirit Realm of basking in him with LOVE ,LOVE ,LOVE ! Praise God ALLMIGHTY!
God does things descent and in order.
EVERYTHING OF GOD MUST B DONE DECENTLY AND IN ORDER. IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW YOUR PLACE IN CHRIST... AND GET A UNDERSTANDING...
This really needs to come to life in the body of Christ. This text highly recommends us to desire the gift of prophesy as it builds up the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 14:24 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!”
In the same note we see that it is not the use of tongues but the lack of understanding that distorts its use. The gift of tongues is a team process as it requires interpretation which can come from the individual or an outside interpreter. We must pray for interpretation as to build the body of Christ in completion, leaving nothing out.
Wow God I rather prophesy then speak in tongues a lot of our generation don't understand speaking in tongues at all. They really don't care for it and prophesy as well but I know that Words of Knowledge in the prophetic will help them understand that God is real and he cares about them because he knows their very thoughts and actions.
The speaking of tongues is a gift and every one dont have it, but if there no one there to interpreted then it's best not to speak in tongues because the unbeliever wont understand it and it won't edifies the church. but we must pray for the gift of prophesy so we can speak to the unbeliever so that he/she will wont to give there life to christ.
I Corinthians, Ch.14-It talk about speaking in tongues. Tongues is a spiritual gift, that is given by God, it is to be used in the proper setting. Must follow the proper protocol, it is not for the edifying of oneself, but for the edification for the church, even when you have spiritual gifts you must allow the holy spirit to discern your timing.
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