I have observed great controversy in the church about the speaking in tongues. Some say that every saved person should show it by speaking in tongues. Others say that it is a gift given only to the early church, and it is not from God today.
So what does Paul say? And how does it apply to us today?
Pursue love, yet earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
Paul speaks of the gift of prophesy as being able to speak God's Word accurately, applying it to the current situation. This is a most useful and beneficial activity to build up the church. That's why he puts such emphasis on it, especially in contrast to the gift of tongues.
For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.
If someone is speaking in an unknown tongue, he's obviously not speaking to anyone who does not know what he is saying; so he's only speaking to himself, or God, who knows all languages.
But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.
Someone expounding on God's Word is helping all the hearers by building them up, and advising or admonishing them, and comforting them.
One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.
Someone speaking in an unknown tongue is only helping himself, but the one who is teaching God's Word is helping everyone.
Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy;
Obviously not everyone had this gift of tongues in this congregation, so Paul says that he wouldn't mind if all of them had this showy gift they want, but that he would rather they all would want to help one another, instead.
and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.
More helpful and useful is the one who ministers to others than the one who just wants to help himself by showing off in an unknown tongue; the only way to make this useful is to have someone interpret that tongue, so others can benefit, too.
But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you
None at all! If you can't even understand what I'm saying!
unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophesy or of teaching?
Unless you can understand my revelation or knowledge or prophesy or teaching. These are what will help you, not just tickling your ears with some exotic language!
Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp?
For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?
Even musical instruments must be played with skill and learning, or they would not be good for anything.
So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.
So if your words are foreign and not understood by the hearers, then you're only speaking into the air! Useless!
There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the World, and no kind without meaning.
There are lots of different languages spoken all over the World, and every one of them is understood by the people in the area where that language is used.
If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me.
So if I don't understand what you're saying, then I would consider you to be a foreigner to me, and I will be a foreigner to you, unable to communicate at all.
So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.
Since you are so eager to want to practice spiritual gifts, then decide to want the ones that will do the most good for the most people, not just yourself.
Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
So the one who has a gift of tongues should ask God to help him understand what he is saying, so that he and others will benefit by it.
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
Paul says that if he prays in an unknown tongue, then it's only his spirit that is praying, and he's not benefiting at all, since it is our minds that think, and need to be renewed, so that we can learn to live better lives.
What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.
The conclusion here is that he decided to pray with his mind, which will include his spirit, too, and also when he sings he will understand the meanings of the lyrics so that he will benefit by it, too.
Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?
Otherwise, no one else can agree with ("Amen") what you're praying, since he can't even understand you, and doesn't get any benefit at all.
For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified.
So you may understand the wonderful prayer you just said, but you're the only one.
I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all;
Paul understood this gift well. He traveled the whole known World, spreading the Gospel to every people group he could, so he needed to preach to them in their own languages that he never had the chance to learn. So he was constantly using this tongues gift in his ministry.
however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.
But when he's in church with his brothers and sisters in the Lord, he didn't want to use this tongues gift, because he wanted them to understand what he was telling them.
Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
Paul wanted these Corinthians to grow up in their faith. He didn't want them to learn all kinds of evil stuff, but all the good qualities they needed to build into their lives to be godly.
In the Law it is written,
By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to Me, says the Lord (Isaiah 28:11).So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe.
The gift of tongues was to be able to show unbelievers the goodness of God, and the gift of prophesy was to be able to teach the believers how to grow up in the Lord.
Tongues is for unbelievers, prophesy is for the church. God's order. Not chaos.
Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad?
If some stranger wanders in, he'd think you're all crazy!
But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed;
How many times have you been listening to your pastor's sermon, and had the distinct feeling that he'd had your house bugged that week?
and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.
That is what will draw someone toward God, and he may even be saved. Praise God!
What is the outcome then, brethren?
So what is the conclusion here?
When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation.
Everybody has something to say.
Let all things be done for edification.
Do everything that will build up the church and help everyone.
If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret;
If someone wants to speak in a tongue, be disciplined about it and keep order, and make sure it will help others, too, not just yourself.
but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.
If it will only help yourself, then keep it to yourself.
Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment.
Let those who want to teach also speak in an orderly way, and let the hearers decide how to apply it to their own thinking and living.
But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent.
Then if God speaks to someone there who has been listening to the speaker, then the speaker should give him the floor.
For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;
You can all get a chance to speak and share, but do it in an orderly way, so that everyone will be heard and everyone can learn.
and the spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets;
Each person has the ability to control himself.
for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
God is a God of order, and His Love put order into the chaos of creation. So to be godly is to not give in to confusion, especially in the church services.
O my Father, all Your gifts are good gifts and are beneficial for us all, both those who are Your children and those we are witnessing to, to show them how much You love them, too, and want them to come to repentance and accept Your gracious gift of Salvation.
Father, please help Your children, Your saints, to exercise the gifts You have given to each of us; to help one another, and to spread Your Good News; to grow Your Kingdom.
That we might grow up, and that the numbers will increase to the size You have determined for each congregation, to fill every seat at Your great Banquet Table and Your House will be full!
And every eye will see, every knee will bow, and every tongue will proclaim in every language everywhere, that Jesus is Lord God Almighty and Sovereign King of the Universe, to the glory and praise of Almighty God the Father!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
