Chapter 14 – One God Translation

1 Corinthians

   14 Keep on pursuing love[1070] and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially the ability to prophesy. [1071] 2 For one who speaks in another language speaks not to people but to God, because nobody understands him; in the spirit he is speaking secret truths. [1072] 3 But one who prophesies speaks to people for their edification, encouragement and consolation. 4 One who speaks in another language builds himself up, but one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 I would like it if you all spoke in languages,[1073] but I prefer that you would prophesy.[1074] One who prophesies is more important than one who speaks in languages, unless he translates, so that the church may be built up.
    6 Brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in other languages, what benefit would I be to you unless I speak to you either with revelation, or knowledge,[1075] or prophesying, or teaching? 7 Even with non-living things which make sounds, like a flute or a harp, if there is no distinction in the notes, how would you know what is being played? 8 If the trumpet gives an unclear sound, who would prepare for battle? 9 So you too, unless you speak a language that everyone understands, how will it be known what you are saying? For you would just be speaking into the air. 10 There are many different languages in this world, and none of them is without meaning. 11 If I do not understand a language, I will be a foreigner to those who speak it, and they will be foreigners to me. 12 So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in those that build up the church.
    13 So then, let the one who speaks in another language pray that he could translate it. [1076] 14 If I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding bears no fruit for other people. [1077] 15 What is my conclusion then? I will pray with my spirit, and I will pray with my understanding also. I will sing praises with my spirit, and I will sing praises with my understanding also. 16 Otherwise if you give thanks in the spirit, how can ungifted people say “Amen” after your prayer of thanks, since they do not know what you said? 17 You may have thanked God well, but the other people have not been helped! 18 I thank God that I speak in languages more than all of you. [1078] 19 But in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, so that I can instruct others, than ten thousand words in another language.
    20 Brothers and sisters, do not think like children. Be as innocent as babies in regard to evil, but in your thinking become mature. 21 As it is written in the Law, “By people speaking foreign languages, by the mouths of foreigners, I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to Me, says the Lord.” 22 Speaking in foreign languages, then, is a miraculous sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers.[1079] But prophesying is not for unbelievers, but for believers. 23 If the whole church is gathered and everyone speaks in other languages, and unbelievers or uninformed people come in, will they not say that you are crazy? 24 But if everyone prophesies, and an unbeliever or uninformed person comes in, he will be convicted by all and called to account by all. 25 The secrets of his heart are revealed, and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is truly among you.
    26 What is my conclusion then, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each one of you has a song, a teaching, a revelation, another language, or translation of it. Let all these things be done to build each other up. 27 If someone speaks in another language, let it be two, or at the most three, and one at a time,[1080] and someone must translate. 28 But if there is no translator, those who speak in languages should keep silent in the church and speak to themselves and to God.
    29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others evaluate what was said. 30 If a revelation is made to another who is sitting down, then the person speaking should finish. 31 For you can all prophesy, one at a time, so that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets themselves, 33 because God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
    34 Let the women be quiet in the churches, because it is not permitted for them to be talking except in submission, as the Law also says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, let them ask their own husbands at home, because it is improper for a woman to be speaking in church. [1081] 36 Did the Gospel-word of God[1082] begin with you Corinthians? Or are you the only people it has reached?
    37 Anyone who thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things I am writing to you are the Lord’s command. 38 But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.
    39 So then, brothers and sisters, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not prohibit speaking in languages. 40 But let everything be done in a proper and orderly way.

1 Corinthians

[1070]

Including the important characteristic of love, that it celebrates the truth (13:6), the polar opposite of error (cp. 2 Thess. 2:10).

[1071]

Seek to prophesy, which in the NT is not confined to prediction but is defined as v. 3 explains as the ability “to speak to people for edification, encouragement and consolation.”

[1072]

Paul never endorses the idea that the gift of language remain permanently untranslated or private. He urges all who have that gift to “pray that they may interpret” (v. 13). The object is that all may hear what the spirit is saying. Paul also defines “languages” as a sign to unbelievers. This is a public miracle and certainly not confined to the prayer closet. “Languages” are spoken publicly in Acts.

[1073]

That is, those who have that particular gift. He has already explained that this gift is not given to all (12:30).

[1074]

In the sense defined by verse 3.

[1075]

The importance of knowledge is stressed by the under-quoted verse Isa. 53:11 which teaches us that the Messiah “makes people right through his knowledge” (cp. Dan. 12:3).

[1076]

Paul is no friend of unintelligibility. He does not recognize a “language” which never comes to public notice by translation. The language-gifted person is expected to be able to translate or have access to a person with the companion gift of translation. The latter procedure seems to be the norm. The point is that “languages” are not proven to be the genuine thing if they forever remain untranslated. How does anyone know, in that case, if the “gift” is genuine or not? It might just be a form of self-deception.

[1077]

That is, benefits no one else.

[1078]

It is mistakenly assumed that Paul means speaking languages in private prayer!

[1079]

This marvelous definition of “tongues” (languages) should be rigorously applied to what goes under the name of “tongues” today. The vast majority of so-called tongues speakers have never known what they say and have translated their language to no one.

[1080]

A “chorus” of “tongues” is thus forbidden.

[1081]

The remarkable fact is that just 3 chapters earlier in 11:5 Paul wants women to pray and prophesy. This indicates his statement here cannot be read as a blanket ban on women speaking in church. It seems possible from the context that women in the church at Corinth were questioning and arguing. This would be part of the disorder he mentions, and this may be the issue Paul is addressing here. Others have suggested that 14:34-35 is the practice of some in the church at Corinth, and Paul is quoting them before refuting their argument. On no account should the instructions in 11:5 be overlooked! The gifts, many of which involve public speaking, were given to men and women alike. Paul, however, did not ordain women to be church leaders (1 Tim. 3:1-2).

[1082]

The Gospel of the Kingdom, the saving Gospel (cp. Acts 8:12 for an early creed and guide to salvation).