1 Cor 14
Clearly the gift of speaking in diverse tongues was highly valued and sought for in the Corinthian Church at that time. No doubt because of what happened at Pentecost and among the earliest Gentile believers. But Paul continues to stress the more important gift of prophesy, that is, of understanding in interpreting God's will, was clearly the more valuable and desirable gift; for though speaking with tongues created more admiration, and garnered greater admiration to the speaker, yet prophesying was by far the most excellent gift.
He that speaks in an unknown tongue, in a language not understood, not explained or interpreted, speaks not to men, that is, not to the understanding of men, for none understand him, but to God only, He alone understands him, and though in the Spirit he speaks mysteries, or the deep things of God, yet all this is not to edification, being not understood by the church. Which is why Paul continues to empathize having the gift of prophesy is far greater.
Though it is the desire of Paul that all in the Church have the gift of many different languages, because that would enable them to prophesy to a variety of different tongues through known languages. Unless people can understand the language (tongue) being prophesied none are edified unless there is one to translate. So, Paul forbids the speaking in unknown tongues in the Church without an interpreter, and then in order and one at a time and then by one or two only so the whole Church can be edified.
The language spoken in the Church whether preaching, singing or praying should be in a known language of the people hearing, or with one to interpret what is said, sang and prayed that they might be edified.
1 Corinthians 14:21-25 (KJV) In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
The gift of tongues has moved so far away from the original purpose for which it was sent that many have fallen in to great deception regarding the gift. For that reason Churches today should join Paul and maintain a strong adherence to the gift of tongues. The only time unknown tongues should be tolerated in the Chruch IMO is when it is known to be a language spoken by a man and if the language is not understood there must be an interpreter. What we have in many churches today is nothing more than babble that makes no sense.
Clearly the gift of speaking in diverse tongues was highly valued and sought for in the Corinthian Church at that time. No doubt because of what happened at Pentecost and among the earliest Gentile believers. But Paul continues to stress the more important gift of prophesy, that is, of understanding in interpreting God's will, was clearly the more valuable and desirable gift; for though speaking with tongues created more admiration, and garnered greater admiration to the speaker, yet prophesying was by far the most excellent gift.
He that speaks in an unknown tongue, in a language not understood, not explained or interpreted, speaks not to men, that is, not to the understanding of men, for none understand him, but to God only, He alone understands him, and though in the Spirit he speaks mysteries, or the deep things of God, yet all this is not to edification, being not understood by the church. Which is why Paul continues to empathize having the gift of prophesy is far greater.
Though it is the desire of Paul that all in the Church have the gift of many different languages, because that would enable them to prophesy to a variety of different tongues through known languages. Unless people can understand the language (tongue) being prophesied none are edified unless there is one to translate. So, Paul forbids the speaking in unknown tongues in the Church without an interpreter, and then in order and one at a time and then by one or two only so the whole Church can be edified.
The language spoken in the Church whether preaching, singing or praying should be in a known language of the people hearing, or with one to interpret what is said, sang and prayed that they might be edified.
1 Corinthians 14:21-25 (KJV) In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
The gift of tongues has moved so far away from the original purpose for which it was sent that many have fallen in to great deception regarding the gift. For that reason Churches today should join Paul and maintain a strong adherence to the gift of tongues. The only time unknown tongues should be tolerated in the Chruch IMO is when it is known to be a language spoken by a man and if the language is not understood there must be an interpreter. What we have in many churches today is nothing more than babble that makes no sense.
