New Life Bible Fellowship Church
9/27/2026

      • Psalm 67:1–7ESV

  • Join All the Glorious Names
  • All My Boast Is In Jesus

      • Luke 2:1–20ESV

  • Introduction:

    We are in the section of 1 Corinthians on how the gifted body of Christ is to worship. This began in chapter 11 where we saw how men and women were to worship and how the Lord’s Supper was to be conducted.
    Then in chapter 12 we were shown that we are Christ body, unique but members together. Also in chapter 12, we saw how each member is uniquely gifted for the edification of the church, ending with the context in which these gifts are to be used—a more excellent way.
    Then last week Paul declares to us that more excellent way in his most famous passage he ever wrote. Love is patient and kind. Love never ends. The greatest of these is love. This was not parenthetical, but higly contextual given the problems in the Corinthian church.
    With love as his context, Paul now returns, in chapter 14, to the practical problem at hand: the Corinthians' misuse of spiritual gifts, especially tongues.
    Today we learn that love-governed worship prioritizes what builds up the body. Intelligibility trumps impressiveness. Edification trumps ecstasy. The question is not "What makes me feel spiritual?" but "What builds up my brothers and sisters?"
    Let's open our Bibles to 1 Corinthians 14:1.

    Text: 1 Corinthians 14:1-19

    1 Corinthians 14:1–19 ESV
    1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. 6 Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 7 If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? 8 And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? 9 So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, 11 but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. 12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. 13 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. 16 Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up. 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

    Main Idea: Since edification of the whole congregation is the purpose of Spiritual Gifts, intelligible prophecy is more valuable than unintelligible tongues in corporate worship.

    Background:

    What Is "Tongues"?

    The issue stems from distinguishing between what tongues were and how they functioned in Corinth.
    At Pentecost, believers spoke in actual foreign languages that enabled diaspora Jews to hear “the mighty works of God” in their native tongues (Acts 2:4–11)—a missionary gift enabling cross-cultural communication. However, Paul’s description of tongues as speech “to God” where “no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit” (1 Cor 14:1–19) appears fundamentally different.
    There are of course competing interpretations. Some scholars argue that human languages remain in view, with Paul’s point being that an uninterpreted foreign language is “addressed to God” simply because no one present can grasp its meaning—not that tongues are inherently non-linguistic or exclusively personal. Under this reading, someone speaking in a language no one in the assembly understands is effectively speaking to God alone, who comprehends all languages.
    Yet other scholars propose that tongues may be understood as utterances differing from normal intelligible speech (ecstatic speech, which was how the pagans worshipped), alongside the possibility of foreign languages, or even angelic languages. One influential view characterizes tongues as “the language of the unconscious”—unintelligible even to the speaker—and interprets Paul’s instruction to “pray for the power to interpret” as a call to bring unconscious utterances into cognitive awareness.
    The crux is whether Paul’s permission to “speak to himself and to God” when no interpreter is present (1 Cor 14:27–28) indicates a fundamentally different purpose than Pentecost’s missionary function. Rather than resolving this, the passage seems to accommodate both possibilities: tongues could be foreign languages (as at Pentecost) or other Spirit-inspired utterances, but their value in corporate worship depends entirely on intelligibility and edification.

    What is “Prophecy”?

    The word “prophecy” (Gk. prophēteia) as used by Paul in the context of 1 Corinthians refers generally to speech that reports, or is “forthtelling” something that God spontaneously brings to mind or “reveals” to the speaker.
    However, these words must be tested or evaluated (1 Thessalonians 5:19–21 “19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good.”).
    An alternative view of this gift, held by some, is that it involves speaking the very words of God, with authority equal to the OT prophets and equal to the word of Scripture.
    A third view is that it is very similar to the gifts of preaching or teaching. This gift is widely indicated throughout the NT churches.
    We must also remember that in the context of 1 Corinthians, we are looking at a time that is early in the history of the New Testament Church, a time prior to the completion of the Canon of Scripture, and therefore, a time where it was necessary for God to speak miraculously through the people he had gifted.
    However, in the midst of our exposition of this passage, we do not want to miss Paul’s point—his criterion for evaluating gift-use in worship: Does it build up the church? This point is used at least seven times in chapter 14, five of them here in our passage for this mroning.

    I. Prophecy vs. Tongues in Edification (vv. 1-5)

    1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.
    Pursue love - διώκω (diōkō [pre, act, imp]) — "To pursue / To run after / To press on" - A strong verb suggesting active, energetic pursuit.
    The same word Paul uses in Philippians 3:12–14 (“12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”)
    Love is not passive; it must be actively pursued; it doesn’t happen by default. This command establishes the thesis for this entire passage.
    earnestly desire the spiritual gifts - ζηλόω (zēloō) — The same verb from 12:31. Paul does not discourage desiring gifts; he redirects the desire toward prophecy.
    especially that you may prophesy - μᾶλλον... ἵνα προφητεύητε (mallon... hina prophēteuēte) — Among the spiritual gifts, prophecy should be especially desired (Ephesians 4:11 “11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,”).
    Paul will explain why as he contrasts these two gifts in the following verses.
    2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.
    For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; - οὐκ ἀνθρώποις... ἀλλὰ θεῷ (ouk anthrōpois... alla theō) —Uninterpreted tongues is vertical communication—to God, not to people. This is not a criticism but a description. The problem arises when this private prayer becomes the centerpiece of corporate worship.
    for no one understands him - οὐδεὶς ἀκούει (oudeis akouei) —The verb ἀκούω can mean "hear" or "understand" (cf. Mark 4:33). The point is not that no one perceives sound but that no one comprehends meaning.
    he utters mysteries in the Spirit - πνεύματι... μυστήρια (pneumati... mystēria) — The tongues-speaker utters divine mysteries by the Spirit. This is genuine spiritual activity—but incomprehensible to others without interpretation.
    3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.
    On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their:
    upbuilding - οἰκοδομή (oikodomē) — From οἶκος ("house") + δομή ("building"). The church is built up, strengthened, constructed through prophecy.
    encouragement - παράκλησις (paraklēsis) — From the same root as παράκλητος ("Advocate/Helper"—the Spirit's title in John 14-16). Prophecy comes alongside believers to encourage and exhort.
    consolation - παραμυθία (paramythia) — A word suggesting tender comfort, soothing speech. Prophecy consoles the grieving and troubled.
    Prophecy edifies, exhorts, and consoles—all in intelligible language the congregation understands.
    4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.
    one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself - ἑαυτὸν οἰκοδομεῖ (heauton oikodomei) — Tongues is not useless—it edifies the speaker. But in corporate worship, the question is: Does it edify others?
    one who prophesies builds up the church - ἐκκλησίαν οἰκοδομεῖ (ekklēsian oikodomei) — Prophecy builds up the whole assembly. This is the decisive criterion: corporate edification.
    5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
    Now - “on the other hand”
    I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy - θέλω... πάντας ὑμᾶς λαλεῖν γλώσσαις (thelō... pantas hymas lalein glōssais) — Paul is not anti-tongues. He wishes all had the gift. But he wishes more that they prophesy.
    The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues - μείζων... ὁ προφητεύων (meizōn... ho prophēteuōn) — “Greater" does not mean personally superior but functionally more valuable for the church. The criterion is edification.
    unless someone interprets - ἐκτὸς εἰ μὴ διερμηνεύῃ (ektos ei mē diermēneuē) — The exception: if tongues is interpreted, it functions like prophecy—the church understands and is built up. Interpreted tongues equals prophecy in value.
    so that the church may be built up — again, reinforcing the purpose of Spiritual Gifts.
    Paul is about to drill down more fully now that he has compared tongues and prophecy in their ability to edify, by explaining the necessity for:

    II. Intelligibility in Corporate Worship (vv. 6-12)

    6 Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?
    if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you — This principle of benefiting others by edifying them becomes the central point of the passage. Paul is applying the teaching of 12:7 that God has granted a variety of gifts “for the common good.”
    unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching — understandable, spiritual communication is what brings benefit to the church.
    7 If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? 8 And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?
    The Argument from Instruments - Even lifeless instruments must produce distinct sounds to communicate. A flute playing random notes conveys nothing. A bugle giving an unclear signal sends no one to battle. How much more must human speech be intelligible to benefit hearers?
    9 So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air.
    you will be speaking into the air - εἰς ἀέρα λαλοῦντες (eis aera lalountes) — Without intelligibility, you are just making noise—speaking into empty space.
    10 There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, — all languages are made for meaningful communication.
    11 but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.
    but if I do not know the meaning of the language:
    I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me - βάρβαρος (barbaros) — The Greek word imitates incomprehensible speech: "bar-bar-bar." To Greeks, anyone who didn't speak Greek sounded like "bar-bar." (Barbarian) Paul's point: if I don't understand your language, we are foreigners to each other—no communication occurs (What happened in Genesis 11 with the Tower of Babel).
    12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
    So with yourselves — same with the church
    since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit - ζηλωταί ἐστε πνευμάτων (zēlōtai este pneumatōn) — Paul does not condemn their eagerness but redirects it. Since you are zealous for spiritual things, direct that zeal toward what builds up the church.
    strive to excel in building up the church - πρὸς τὴν οἰκοδομὴν τῆς ἐκκλησίας (pros tēn oikodomēn tēs ekklēsias) — Once again, this is the criterion. Channel your spiritual enthusiasm toward edification.
    So Paul has compared tongues and prophecy, and has determined that in the present use, prophecy is better in edification. He has also shown us the importance of intelligible worship in edification. He now sums it up by saying if indeed tongues is to be used, then you must have:

    III. Prayer for Interpretation (vv. 13-19)

    13 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.
    Therefore (dia) — with all that said
    one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret - προσευχέσθω ἵνα διερμηνεύῃ (proseuchesthō hina diermēneuē) — The tongues-speaker should pray for the ability to interpret. This allows the gift to edify others, not just the speaker.
    14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful.— When praying in tongues, the spirit is engaged but the mind is unfruitful—not understanding or communicating intelligibly.
    15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.
    What am I to do? - τί οὖν ἐστιν; (ti oun estin?) — Paul's rhetorical question leads to his resolution.
    I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.
    Both/And, Not Either/Or - Paul will pray with the spirit and with the mind. He will sing with the spirit and with the mind. Both Spirit-empowered devotion and rational understanding have their place.
    In other words, we do not engage in mindless worship. Jesus in talking with the woman at the well in John 4, declares this truth:
    John 4:23–24 ESV
    23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
    16 Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying?
    anyone in the position of an outsider - ὁ ἀναπληρῶν τὸν τόπον τοῦ ἰδιώτου (ho anaplērōn ton topon tou idiōtou) — The term ἰδιώτης refers to an uninitiated person, a layman, someone not possessing the gift. This could be a believer without the gift of tongues or an unbeliever visiting the assembly.
    say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? - πῶς ἐρεῖ τὸ ἀμήν (pōs erei to amēn) — The "Amen" was the congregation's response, signifying agreement and participation, showing the importance of corporate worship. If they cannot understand the prayer, they cannot genuinely affirm it.
    17 For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up. — Paul does not question the validity or quality of tongues-prayer. It is genuine thanksgiving. But it fails the edification test: the other person is not built up.
    18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. — Paul's credentials are unassailable. He is no opponent of tongues—he exercises the gift more than any of them. His critique comes from authority, not ignorance or jealousy.
    19 Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
    Nevertheless — even though this is true
    in church - ἐν ἐκκλησίᾳ (en ekklēsia) — The context is corporate worship. Paul's instructions apply to the gathered assembly, not private devotion.
    I would rather speak five words…than ten thousand words - πέντε λόγους... ἢ μυρίους λόγους (pente logous... ē myrious logous) — The contrast is extreme: 5 vs. 10,000. The ratio is 1:2,000. Paul would rather speak a handful of intelligible words than an ocean of unintelligible ones.
    with my mind - τῷ νοΐ μου (tō noi mou) — Intelligible speech—words the mind can form and others can understand.
    to instruct others - κατηχέω (katēcheō) — From κατά ("down") + ἠχέω ("to sound"). To sound down into someone's ears—to instruct, to catechize. This is the origin of our word "catechism."
    This summary passage establishes the criterion for evaluating gift-use in corporate worship: edification. Paul will continue applying this principle to specific regulations in the verses that follow.

    So What?

    Do we understand that we are to pursue love before pursuing gifts, and in so doing, we are to evaluate gifts by their edification value in corporate worship?
    Love is the foundation; gifts are the tools. The most spectacular gift without love accomplishes nothing.
    Not "How impressive is this?" but "How does this build up the body?" Let edification govern your priorities..
    What people cannot understand cannot build them up. Clarity serves love; obscurity serves self.
    Do we understand that we should not despise any legitimate gift, but consider others in worship, seeking to engage both the spirit and the mind?
    Paul speaks in tongues more than anyone. The gift is real and valuable. But value must be measured by context.
    Can the person next to you say "Amen" to your prayer? Can the visitor understand what is happening? Love thinks of others.
    Worship is not mindless ecstasy or cold intellectualism. Both heart and head, both spirit and understanding, belong to God.
    Do we understand that we are to focus on that which is intelligible and avoid that which is unintelligible, thus directing our spiritual zeal toward building up?
    Prefer substance over spectacle, clarity over impressiveness, edification over experience.
    You are eager for spiritual things? Good. Now channel that zeal toward what actually helps people.

      • 1 Corinthians 14:1–19ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 14:1–5ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 14:6–12ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 14:13–15ESV

      • John 4:23–24ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 14:16–19ESV

  • I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord
New Life Bible Fellowship Church
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