Sunday, May 20, 2012 pm
STUDIES IN 1 CORINTHIANS
(46)
Concerning tongues and Prophecy
1 Cor. 14:1-33
In our lesson today we are going to discuss what the tongues Paul
was addressing has reference to.
Is he speaking of some unknown tongue of angels or is he speaking
of languages? Do we still
have this gift of tongues today?
What did Paul have to say about tongues in our text?
I.
What are the tongues we
are speaking of?
a.
The word used for
“tongues” is from the Greek word, γλώσσῃ “glossa” and can mean several
things:
i.
The organ in the mouth
we call the tongue – James 3:5, 8
ii.
Conversation – 1 Pet.
3:10 – “Let him refrain his tongue from evil.”
Rom. 14:11 – every tongue shall confess.
iii.
Clearly a language
spoken by men – Rev. 10:11, etc.
iv.
A language spoken by
angels (1 Cor. 13:1) – related to “tongues of men”.
This will have an impact upon our discussion this evening.
v.
A language spoken by
someone that the one who communicated it had never learned, but through
the Spirit he was able to communicate the message of God to those who
DID understand that language.
It is this definition that we will be examining in this lesson.
b.
What is the tongue
spoken in our text associated with this miraculous gift?
i.
1 Cor. 14:2, “For
he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one
understands him; however, in
the spirit he speaks mysteries.”
The term is used 11 times in this chapter, and a total of 17 in
this section beginning in 1 Cor. 12:10.
What is this tongues that Paul speaks of?
Obviously, it involves the miraculous giving of the Holy Spirit,
but does it refer to a language of men or some ecstatic language known
only to God and perhaps angels.
Pentecostals who believe in speaking in tongues prefer this
latter description.
ii.
The best description of
this is a foreign language, of other men, that one has not learned.
Clearly, the one speaking in tongues, as used here, did not
understand what he was saying.
iii.
Consider Acts 2:1-4
where on Pentecost the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and
began to speak in tongues..
They spoke to a number of different nations (tongues) that were gathered
in Jerusalem (vs. 9-11 records 14 nationalities, but some believe there
were about 10 different languages present).
Acts 2:6 says, “And when this
sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because
EVERYONE HEARD THEM SPEAK IN HIS OWN LANGUAGE.”
Vs. 8 says, “they each heard the message in their own language.
Vs. 11 says, “…we hear them
speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”
From this text we can glean that their speaking in tongues involved the
foreign languages of men. It
is
c.
“Tongues of angels” – 1 Cor. 13:1
– sometimes those who believe in speaking in tongues (miraculous) refer
to it as the “language of angels” based upon 1 Cor. 13:1 and 14:2 which
speaks of a tongue that no one understands but God.
In both instances the context helps to clarify.
1 Cor. 13:1 it is in the context of our need for agape love.
And Paul equates it to “the tongues of men” – whatever language
an angel speaks it is like that of men.
We read of angels who communicated with men and when they did it
was clear language that the men could understand (cf. Acts 16:7 - to
Hagar, Acts 19:1 – two angels that would speak with Lot, Ex. 3:2 – to
Moses at the burning bush, etc.)
AS I see the tongues of angles, it has reference to a perfect
message from God that the intended audience UNDERSTOOD!
Concerning 1 Cor. 14 – we shall see this in a few moments.
II.
Has the miraculous gift
of speaking in tongues ceased?
a.
Yes – 1 Cor. 13:8-12
specifically includes the miraculous speaking of tongues as ceasing.
Of all the spiritual gifts Paul dealt with, this one was causing
the greatest problems at Corinth, which prompted his discourse in
chapter 14. Nevertheless, in
1 Cor. 13 we read CLEARLY that tongues would cease when “that which is
perfect has come.” In our
last lesson we established this as the completed word of God and showed
why that text could not be referring to Jesus Christ.
b.
NOTE: IT is worthy of
not that there are some who believe that this tongue speaking is a
language of God that man cannot understand.
While I see that as contrary to scripture, let us note that even
if it were true, this text would prove that such a language would have
ceased and thus the point is moot where we are concerned.
c.
Furthermore, they were
among the gifts the apostles could bestow by the laying on of their
hands – something that ended when that generation was done.
Acts 19:6
a.
Let us take a few
moments to examine the text of 1 Corinthians 14 and we will see what
Paul had in mind and how the tongues he has reference to are better
served by defining them as a foreign language that the speaker had not
learned but through the Spirit he was able to effectively communicate
God’s message with it.
NOTE: We will be examining this text only in light of how it applies to
the gift of speaking in tongues.
We will revisit its overall message in future lessons.
b.
Vs. 1,
Paul again exhorts them to pursue Love and desire spiritual gifts, BUT
he exalts the gift of prophecy.
c.
Vs. 2 – “For
he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one
understand him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.”
What we clearly know from this text is that the one who speaks
does not himself understand what he is saying – could this refer to a
foreign language of men?
NOTE: Please ask yourself this question about every time the word
“tongues” is used.
d.
Vs.3-4
– “BUT he who prophecies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to
men. He who speaks in a
tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.”
NOTICE how the one who prophecies profits the assembly.
CLEARLY, the point Paul is making as he contrasts prophecy and
tongues is the benefit to the audience.
What makes tongue speaking less useful is that to THIS audience
they cannot understand it – and thus they are NOT edified, exhorted or
comforted by the message. Tongue
speaking ONLY benefited the one speaking in tongues in such cases.
e.
V.s 5
– “I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied;
for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, UNLESS
indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.”
Paul now demonstrates WHEN speaking in tongues in the assembly IS
useful – when there is one to interpret the language.
Why? Because then the
message spoken can benefit the audience, making the message equal to
that of prophecy.
f.
Vs. 6-9 –
Paul elaborates on his point about coming to them with tongues and how
it is of no profit unless there is revelation, knowledge, prophesying or
teaching that accompanies it.
He then gives the illustration of various instruments making distinct
sounds. Such is necessary
for the various instruments to be beneficial to the piece of music.
NOTICE in the terms he uses that he implies that for the language to be
beneficial it MUST be intelligible.
g.
Vs. 10 – “There
are…so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without
significance.” Paul is
noting that every type of language (or sound) is important.
h.
Vs. 11
– “Therefore, If I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a
foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to
me.” We understand this
in our bi-lingual society. I
have not taken the time to learn Spanish and whenever one around here
speaks in Spanish, he is as a foreigner to me (at least in language) AND
if he doesn’t understand English (and many do not), I am as a foreigner
to them. NOTE that the word
foreigner is translated “barbarian” in the KJV.
And the word has reference to one who was described as a
Barbarian (one who did not know the Greek language or culture).
There are congregations around here that have bi-lingual services.
For understanding there has to be an interpreter.
The language of this verse best fits the description of a foreign
language of men. NOTICE that
Paul does not speak of a language that NO ONE understands but rather I
do not understand the language of the one who is speaking.
i.
Vs. 12 – “Even
so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the
edification of the church that you seek to excel.”
Whatever gifts one had, their goal need to be the building up of
the church if the assembly was where they used their gifts.
j.
Vs. 13-14 –
“Therefore, let him who speaks in
a a tongue pray that he may interpret.
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding
is unfruitful.” Here
Paul emphasizes how the one who speaks in tongues ought to desire to
understand what he is saying or even he does not LEARN from the process
(I.e. the message is useless to him.)
k.
Vs. 15 –
Paul’s conclusion, “I will pray with the spirit…I will sing with the
spirit…” We find here the
need for understanding in our worship.
More as we continue our study in another lesson.
l.
Vs. 16-17 –
His concern with tongue speaking (without the interpreter) leaves the
“uninformed” unable to participate or say, ‘Amen’ to a prayer being
offered.
m.
Vs. 18-19
– “I thank my God that I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the
church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may
teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.”
While Paul is emphasizing the benefit of understanding, let us
notice WHERE Paul used his ability to speak in tongues – OUTSIDE of the
church! This would accord
with tongues being the languages of men as Paul traveled extensively and
would be in places where he was not familiar with the local dialect.
n.
Vs. 20
– Paul challenges these brethren to be mature in understanding and babes
in malice (evil).
o.
Vs. 21,
Paul quotes from Isa. 28:11-12, “With
men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; and
yet, for all that, they will not hear Me.”
IT is a context in which Isaiah is speaking to a rebellious and
ungodly Israel. He is
warning them that they will know punishment at the hands of a foreign
nation – namely Assyria, who would come in with “stammering lips” and
carry them away. BUT notice
the point, Isaiah is speaking of the language of another nation – NOT an
angelic language. This verse
STRONGLY establishes the type of language that speaking in tongues
involved.
p.
Vs. 22,
“Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to
unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who
believe.” This tells us
that this “gift” is intended to reach the lost and not so much for the
edification of the saved.
That is why its benefit was better outside of the worship service and
“in the streets” where the lost souls were found.
The assembly is designed to TEACH and is directed toward building up the
body. USUALLY, within a
congregation what is spoken is in the language of the audience (OR there
need for an interpreter).
q.
Vs. 23
– Paul observes how the “uninformed” will react if he comes to services
and there observes foreign languages that none can understand.
NOTE: Vs. 22-23 are contrary to what many modern day tongue speakers do
– their assemblies involve tongue speaking that IS meaningless, and even
scary, to the unbeliever.
r.
Vs. 24-25 –
BUT if the unbeliever hears prophesy – the intelligible message, he can
learn and the result might be he is “convinced
by all, he is convicted by all.
And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling
down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among
you.” NOTICE how the
unbeliever CAN benefit from an orderly worship service with appropriate
teaching – now actions of showmanship!
s.
IN examining this text
– we can clearly see
that the various attributes to the gift of tongues could easily, and in
fact more powerfully, apply to a language that was simply unknown to the
audience assembled rather than a miraculous language unknown to anyone
(i.e. the language of God).
t.
In vs. 26-30 Paul further regulates their conduct with specific information about the
various gifts that were present – let there be order,
only a handful of speakers, respect for others, and silence when
necessary. God is NOT the
author of confusion.
IV.
What is done today is
different?
a.
It is not for
teaching outsiders
– rather a manifestation to believers and oneself.
But consider 1 Cor. 14:22 – a sign for unbelievers.
b.
Not used to confirm the truth
– different beliefs among Pentecostals (i.e. Pentecostal churches reject
the Trinity while Assemblies of God teach the trinity – yet they both
believe in speaking in tongues.
Who is right?)
c.
It is not used to
teach others
– today they are spoken for the sake of the one using them.
One thinks that it is a manifestation to himself that he is
saved. Other than by
observation and Paul dealt with that in 1 Cor. 14:23
d.
A form of entertainment – assemblies are ranked very highly and results in the
charismatic shows in their assemblies.
Such is CLEARLY condemned in our text – 1 Cor. 14:33
e.
It is supposedly a manifestation of one having received the
Holy Spirit and thus salvation – they usually teach that Acts 2:38, “the gift of the Holy
Spirit” involves this speaking in tongues.
BUT, we have clearly been shown that not everyone has every gift
(including speaking in tongues) so it can have NO bearing on salvation.
f.
ALSO, Consider the
danger of the “interpreter” today – I have never been to a Charismatic assembly.
But I wonder, do they act without an interpreter?
IF so, is that not a direct violation of our text?
AND, how do we verify the accuracy of the interpreter who can say
anything he wants and claim that it is from God!
In
conclusion: It is my hope that we have established that these tongues
were actually unknown languages to the one speaking, and not necessarily
unknown to man. They had
their place, but as with other spiritual gifts they are no longer needed
as we have “all things that pertain to life and godliness.”
In
our next lesson, with this background of tongues in mind, we will
examine the principles of edification outlined in these verses and make
application to our attitudes in our assemblies.