Paul's Letters 1 Corinthians

The Priority Of Prophecy

Discover Jesus as: The Last Adam 1 Corinthians 14 Read on Bible Gateway (HCSB)

Day 516 of 730
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INTRO

Paul genuinely cared for the church of Corinth. The believers were still pursuing idols from their former worship, trying to interweave the things of God and the things of the flesh. Throughout the letter, Paul reminded the Corinthians of the core essentials of what it meant to walk things out as the body of Christ. Today, I’m going to focus on the specific spiritual gift of prophecy.

TEACHING

1 Corinthians 14:1-11: Paul told his readers to pursue love first and to desire spiritual gifts (v. 1a). It is a choice to love someone. This was so they could possibly prophesy (v. 1b). Paul showed prophecy as the higher gift. Those who speak in tongues speak to God not men and do not understand what they are saying (v. 2). But those who prophesy speak directly to people for edification (instruction or guidance of someone morally or intellectually), encouragement (giving support, hope, and encouragement), and consolation (giving comfort to someone after loss or disappointment). Paul said that one who prays in tongues builds himself up, while one who prophesies builds up the church (v. 4). Paul wished everyone could speak in tongues because it would build them up in the Lord, but more so that they could prophesy because that builds up the church and others in love (v. 5). (1 Corinthians 13:8—tongues and prophecy will stop only when the perfect comes, when Christ returns.)

That’s why chapter 14 still makes sense. Paul then asked how he could be understood if he spoke in tongues; Paul would only be able to make a difference in believers through divine revelation, knowledge, teaching, or prophecy (v. 6). He offered the illustration that a musical instrument was only understood when it made notes that could be recognized (vv. 7–8). Paul emphasized that despite the fact there were many languages in the world, he only understood those whose meaning he knew (vv. 9–11).

1 Corinthians 14:12–19: Paul stressed that people use their spiritual gifts to build up the church (v. 12). Since God is a God of order, He wants order within the church. Therefore, tongues should not be used unless a person is present to interpret what is said (v. 13). Paul described that when he prayed in tongues, his spirit prayed, even singing in tongues (vv. 14–15). Around other believers, there needs to be interpreters to explain what has been said (v. 16), and to build up others (v. 17). Spiritual maturity means order is brought into using the gift of tongues with others (vv. 18–19).

1 Corinthians 14:20–40: Beginning in verse 20, Paul moved to how tongues should be used before nonbelievers. He cautioned the Corinthians not to be childish in thinking, but to be a babe in regard to evil (v. 20). Wiersbe explained verses 21–25 this way: “Paul made another point for the superiority of prophecy over tongues: a message in tongues (unless interpreted), could never bring conviction to the heart of a lost sinner. In fact, the unsaved person might leave the service before the interpretation was given, thinking that the whole assembly was crazy. Tongues were not used for evangelism, neither at Pentecost, nor in the meetings of the early church.”1Nelson’s Commentary adds, “When these non-Christians [who attended the services] heard the congregation prophesy, the message convicted them, so that they fell down on their faces and worshiped God.”2

Don’t close the door on speaking in tongues, because it is given to be a sign for nonbelievers. Just remember there has to be an interpreter to interpret for believers and unbelievers in order to edify them. Love is not selfish, arrogant, or boastful. Therefore, we only use tongues and prophecy to build up the church. In verse 26, Paul gave an outline of what the worship should include—everything included was to bring about edification, with only two (no more than three) speaking in tongues with interpreters (vv. 26–27). Without an interpreter, the person with tongues should stay silent (v. 28). While two to three prophets speak, others should evaluate so everyone is encouraged and can learn (vv. 29–31). Paul also said women should be silent in the churches—silent and submissive (v. 34). Her questions should be asked of her husband at home (v. 35). I know this can be a controversial issue and I’m not saying that I don’t think women are gifted teachers. This is simply Paul putting order to gatherings. Keep digging and ask the Lord what this means to you. Next, it says anyone who thought he was a prophet or spiritual, should be able to recognize that what Paul wrote came from the Lord (v. 36-37). Everything, then, should be done in order as God intended (vv. 39–40).

CLOSING

John Piper defines prophecy as “a regulated message or report in human words usually made to the gathered believers based on a spontaneous, personal revelation from the Holy Spirit for the purpose of edification, encouragement, consolation, conviction, or guidance but not necessarily free from a mixture of human error, and thus needing assessment on basis of apostolic (biblical) teaching and mature spiritual wisdom.”3 Piper provides seven practical suggestions about the gift of prophecy:

  1. God gives gifts to those He chooses.
  2. Not everyone will be prophets.
  3. Desire to have the gift.
  4. Be grateful to God for the gifts He has given to you and use them fully.
  5. Make love your priority in all things.
  6. Courageously speak out what God has told you.
  7. Have humble expectations for the word of prophecy to be evaluated by spiritually mature believers.4

Embrace what God has given you and others as spiritual gifts.

  1. Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary: New Testament (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989), p. 614.

  2. Earl Radmacher, Ronald B. Allen, and H. Wayne House, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999), p. 1483.

  3. John Piper, “The New Testament Gift of Prophecy,” www.desiringgod.org; available online.

  4. Ibid.

Questions

  1. According to 1 Corinthians 14:1, what spiritual gift did Paul encourage the Corinthian believers to especially desire (1 Corinthians 14:5)? What did he tell them to pursue? Is there a relationship between these two things?
  2. There are three purposes for prophecy listed in 1 Corinthians 14:3. What are they? Have you ever witnessed a prophetic word that did not serve any of these purposes?
  3. What does it mean to be an infant in regard to evil? (1 Corinthians 14:20)
  4. Notice how many times “edifying” or “building up” (or “strengthened”) is used in 1 Corinthians 14 (1 Corinthians 14:3, 4, 5, 12, 17, 26). Why do you think Paul stressed this?
  5. Read 1 Corinthians 14:34–35, and then look at 1 Corinthians 11:5. Do you think the restrictions for women may be specifically for when prophecies are being evaluated, or how would you explain these verses? (1 Corinthians 14:29)
  6. What did the Holy Spirit highlight to you in 1 Corinthians 14 through the reading or the teaching?

Next: the Daily Word →

Daily Word

Laura Martin 1 Corinthians 14:39–40

“Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in other languages. But everything must be done decently and in order.”

The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts for building up the body of Christ, such as speaking in tongues and prophesying. However, Paul warned the church, everything must be done decently and in order. Just like in today’s church, Paul knew the gifts could easily cause division and con- fusion, which then voids and distracts from God’s intended purpose. Paul instructed believers to walk in the Spirit and not despise prophecies, but he also instructed them to test them and hold on to what is good. The person who prophesies speaks to others for edification, encouragement, and comfort, just as the gifts of the Spirit are used to build up the body of Christ, not tear it down.

If you have what you believe is a prophetic vision or a word for another person, ask the Lord if it will edify, encourage, or comfort that person. Seek confirmation before you communicate. Trust the Holy Spirit, and as confirmation comes, communicate what you hear from the Lord. If you have a prophetic word that may bring fear, discouragement, or confusion, then perhaps you need to practice self-control and pray for the person, rather than release it immediately. Remember to pray at all times and give thanks, for this is the will of the Lord

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“Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in other languages. But everything must be done decently and in order.”

— 1 Corinthians 14:39–40

FURTHER SCRIPTURE

  • 1 Corinthians 14:3 — “But the person who prophesies speaks to people for edification, encouragement, and consolation.”
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:17–21 — “Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Don’t stifle the Spirit. Don’t despise prophecies, but test all things. Hold on to what is good.”
  • 2 Peter 1:20–21 — “First of all, you should know this: No prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”