Paul's extensive treatise to the Corinthians on miraculous spiritual gifts comes to an end in First Corinthians 14. Paul has already addressed the nature of miraculous gifts (1 Cor. 12:1-11), miraculous gifts and the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12-31), and the fact that love is "more excellent" than miraculous gifts (1 Cor. 13:1-13). In this final chapter of the discourse, Paul teaches the Corinthians how those gifts were to be regulated in their assemblies. Although the miraculous age has ended (1 Cor. 13:8-13), studying this chapter is still valuable because, in addition to learning more of God's will, it shows a sharp contrast between the first century church (when miraculous gifts were real and demonstrable) and people today who claim to possess miraculous gifts. There is a completely different emphasis found in truth versus error.

Prophecy Is Preferred Over Tongues

Paul begins by telling the Corinthians that they must pursue love and desire spiritual gifts: "Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts" (1 Cor. 14:1a). The desire for miraculous gifts was not wrong in and of itself, but the desire to have these gifts for the sake of boasting was wrong. Since miraculous gifts have ceased (1 Cor. 13:8-13), this command to desire them was obviously only a temporary obligation.

The Corinthians were to desire prophecy above speaking in tongues: "but rather [especially, NKJ] that ye may prophesy" (1 Cor. 14:1b). Paul gives two reasons why prophesying is to be preferred to speaking in tongues. First, the one who speaks in tongues speaks only to God, because God is the only one who knows the meaning of what is being said, "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries" (1 Cor. 14:2). The word "unknown" in "unknown tongue" (KJV) is added by the translators. It should simply read, "tongue" (NKJ, etc.). "Tongues," as used Biblically, referred to real languages (cf. Acts 2:4-11), not some "Holy Ghost" gibberish that so called tongue speakers claim to speak today! The context in First Corinthians 14 is an assembly where no one speaks that particular language and/or an assembly where no one is available to translate or interpret. Thus, only God understands what is being said. The one who speaks, still speaks "mysteries," which refer to that which was once hidden, but has now been revealed (cf. 1 Cor. 2:7; 4:1; 15:51).

Second, prophesying results in edification for all. "2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church" (1 Cor. 14:2-4). The one who prophesies speaks to people rather than just to God. Whereas the tongue speaker might truly speak the "mysteries" of God, but he would do so in a language that nobody could understand. The prophet, however, would speak in the language of his hearers and could thus be understood. The difference is between that which is intelligible and that which is not (cf. 1 Cor. 14:9). Prophesying has a threefold result for the betterment of all: (1) "edification [upbuilding, ESV]," which means strengthening, encouragement (1 Cor. 14:5, 12, 26); (2) "exhortation [encouragement, ESV]," which means encouragement, help, comfort (2 Cor. 1:3-7; 7:4, 7, 13; 8:4, 17); and (3) "comfort [consolation, NAS]," which means encouragement, consolation, stimulation, and strength for overcoming difficulties.1 Notice that each of the meanings contains the idea encouragement! Speaking in tongues does have value in edification, but unless there is one who interprets, only the speaker is edified, but prophesying, by definition, edifies the entire church. Though Paul desired that they all could speak with tongues, he wanted even more for all to prophesy.

Conclusion

Understanding God's word is of primary importance (cf. Mt. 4:4; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). Miraculous gifts, when used properly promoted understanding God's will. However, some of the Corinthians used these gifts with wrong attitudes. They elevated speaking in tongues, but Paul pointed out the main weakness with tongues: unless one can interpret, they do not edify. Though miraculous gifts have ceased (1 Cor. 13:8-13), the importance of understanding God's word has not! Many need to quit looking for the sensational in religion and just simply understand and obey what God wills (2 Tim. 2:15; Jas. 1:22-25 cf. Mt. 7:21-23).

End Notes

1 Cleon L. Rogers, Jr. and Cleon L. Rogers III, The New Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek New Testament (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998) 381.

2 Rogers and Rogers 379.