It’s time to finish the series on 1 Corinthians from a few months ago. We left off ready to begin chapter 14.
Chapter 14 is famously difficult for us in the Churches of Christ because it deals with spiritual gifts such as prophecy and tongues, and we aren’t even entirely agreed on what these gifts were — or whether they’ve died out.
We covered much of this back in the materials on chapter 13, especially —
1 Corinthians 13:8-12 (that which is perfect), Part 1 (the Second Coming)
1 Corinthians 13:8-12 (that which is perfect), Part 2 (miracles)
1 Corinthians 13:8-12 (that which is perfect), Part 3 (“face to face”)
1 Corinthians 13:8-12 (that which is perfect), Part 4 (“abides”)
1 Corinthians 13:8-12 (that which is perfect), Part 5 (“maturity”)
(1Co 14:1 ESV) Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.
In 14:1, Paul begins to draw conclusions from chapters 12 and 13, especially 13. It’s a mistake to read chapter 14 as a list of laws and commands handed down from from on high, like the Law of Moses. Rather, this is Paul applying gospel principles to the practical problems of life in the church at Corinth. We can learn a lot by asking how Paul reaches his conclusions.
Paul’s first point is the importance of pursuing agapē. The Greek word translated “pursue” has a sense of urgency to it, with the primary definition in BDAG being “to move rapidly and decisively toward an objective, hasten, run, press on” — the pursuit of agapē is urgent.
As much as we might prefer that Paul say something like “Pursue love rather than spiritual gifts,” he actually tells us to “earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.” In fact, in chapter 14, it quickly becomes clear that Paul favor prophecy over many other gifts. What he doesn’t tell us is how someone who desires to prophesy should go about seeking the gift.
(1Co 14:2-4 ESV) 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.
Notice what’s not said here. Paul says nothing specifically about the assembly. Chapter 12 was about spiritual gifts. Chapter 13 focused on love. And suddenly Paul is talking about the assembly, and yet it’s not until v. 4 that he says anything that let’s his readers know the subject (“builds up the church”). Why? Well, because Paul thinks he’s been talking about assembly since the beginning of chapter 11, where he discussed women praying and prophesying in the assembly.
Next, notice the question is Paul answering. The church in Corinth was struggling with the use of spiritual gifts in the assembly. Obviously, someone wanted instructions regarding the use of tongues and prophecy in the assembly. And yet not once does Paul ask whether tongues or prophecy are authorized by command, example, or necessary inference. The question of authority doesn’t arise at all — although the modern Churches of Christ would insist that whether tongues or prophecy is authorized must be the starting point of the discussion.
Paul does not check tongues and prophecy against a list of five pre-authorized “acts of worship.” Rather, he asks whether the practices under consideration build up (edify) the church. And the standard is that if the practice builds up the church, it’s permitted, but if it doesn’t build up the church, it’s not.
Prophecy builds up the church, and so it’s permitted. Tongues, as a rule, do not build up the church, and so, in general, they aren’t allowed. However, as we’ll soon see, prophecy done in a way that doesn’t build up the church is not allowed, and tongues done in a way that does build up the church is allowed. Hence, the question isn’t whether Act X is or isn’t authorized but whether Acts X may be done in a way that edifies the church. Hence, the question is pragmatic, to be answered in terms of the purpose of the assembly, not what’s on a supposed list of authorized acts.
(1Co 14:5 ESV) 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.
Despite Paul’s emphasis on faith, hope, and love as greater gifts, Paul does not dismiss or look down on tongues. In fact, he plainly encourages the gift, but prefers prophecy over tongues.
We’ve covered the nature of these gifts back in these posts —
Part of striving for [spiritual gifts], apparently, is praying that God would grant them to you. While other texts in this chapter indicate that praise, prayer, and thanksgiving were part of the worship of the church, this is the only verse that clearly refers to a specific request that might be made in prayer. It is not surprising that the request, while ostensibly being a request made on behalf of oneself, is actually a request that the one praying might be enabled to more effectively build up and bless the others gathered for worship. It suggests once again that our fundamental orientation in worship should not be that of seeking to receive something that will be good for us, but seeking to bring greater benefit and advantage to others.
Roy E. Ciampa and Brian S. Rosner, The First Letter to the Corinthians (Pillar NTC; Accordance electronic ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2010), 688.
Quote: Well, because Paul thinks he’s been talking about assembly since the beginning of chapter 11, where he discussed women praying and prophesying in the assembly.
No, not really. He didn’t introduce the topic of the assembly until verse 17, introducing the discussion of the Lord’s Supper. He clearly distinguishes the earlier part of the chapter by saying he praised them for those things, but that he has no praise for them regarding the assembly.
“In 14:1, Paul begins to draw conclusions from chapters 12 and 13, especially 13. It’s a mistake to read chapter 14 as a list of laws and commands handed down from from on high, like the Law of Moses. Rather, this is Paul applying gospel principles to the practical problems of life in the church at Corinth. We can learn a lot by asking how Paul reaches his conclusions.”
Jay are you telling me that every word written by Paul, might not be inspired by God. Whispered from God’s lips to Paul’s ears.
Seems to me I have been saying that very thing for years.
One more thing, “As much as we might prefer that Paul say something like “Pursue love rather than spiritual gifts,” he actually tells us to “earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.”
Paul could not have even imagined this world would have stood for centuries after Jesus death. So he was not speaking to “US” paul was speaking to the church at Corinth .
1Co 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
I don’t know of a better way to intrepret this than this.
NLT
Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!
Usually we start dismissing people that we don’t want to hear or follow…in this case Paul. Paul was inspired and deliberate. When Paul argued for something that was not from God, but his own opinion (such as celibacy), he prefaced the statement and then marked it as such. Otherwise it was God speaking through Paul.
Paul speaking to the Corithians is specific in making a point, but is broad in application. Do we doubt that if a similar thing occured in another town that Paul wouldn’t say the same thing?
In chapter 12 Paul introduces us to “Now concerning spiritual gifts…” and then doesn’t let up until ch.15. His point edification over display. Function over form. Others over self. Love over praise.
Jay,
Any thoughts on why this (evidently) very spiritually gifted group couldn’t have had some of that giftedness ooze out into the assembly from their in-home teachers? In other words why did it take an Apostle to break the news to them they were misusing their gifts? Why did it take a Paul to teach them how not to take the Supper, or about women covering their heads or don’t follow after who baptized you, or don’t take your brother to court? It sort of begs the question, what was the purpose of their gifts if these basic things were not able to be conveyed through the gifts they possessed? I hear some say we need the gifts today as much as they needed them back then. To do what exactly?
Dwight said, “Usually we start dismissing people that we don’t want to hear or follow…in this case Paul. Paul was inspired and deliberate. When Paul argued for something that was not from God, but his own opinion (such as celibacy), he prefaced the statement and then marked it as such. Otherwise it was God speaking through Paul.”
Dwight Paul also marked where he got the words spoken by God, “The Scriptures”.
1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
What scripture ? Isaiah – Chapter 53
2Ti 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Yes Paul referred to the word of God often in his writings, but it was the word of God in scriptures spoken by God’s prophets.
Gal 4:30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture?
Gal 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin —
Gal 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith —
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, —
Rom 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh,
Well that should give an example of Paul’s using God’s word in his writings. and his source.
Dwight said, “Usually we start dismissing people that we don’t want to hear or follow…in this case Paul. Paul was inspired and deliberate. When Paul argued for something that was not from God, but his own opinion (such as celibacy), he prefaced the statement and then marked it as such. Otherwise it was God speaking through Paul.”
Dwight Paul also marked where he got the words spoken by God, “The Scriptures”.
1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Isaiah – Chapter 53
2Ti 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Yes Paul referred to the word of God often in his writings, but it was the word of Gon in scriptures spoken by God’s prophets.
Gal 4:30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture?
Gal 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin —
Gal 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith —
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, —
Rom 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh,
Well that should give an example of Paul’s using God’s word in his writings. and his source.
well, I was told to post it again 🙂
Monty,
The traditional CoC understanding of the gift of prophecy is that prophecy is always like Moses or Isaiah or Paul — canon worthy and the sort of thing the scriptures speak of. But as you point out, this is obviously not the case.
But if we’d read our Old Testaments, we’d know that “prophecy” covers everything from ecstatic utterance to Ezekiel. Exactly what was the nature of the ecstatic speech we read about in 1 Sam and Numbers is far from clear, but plainly there was something about it that shouted “prophecy” to bystanders.
Even in Acts when people come out of the baptistry speaking in tongues and prophesying, “prophesying” there not was not likely rattling off pages of Isaianic poetry or Messianic parables. Rather, it sure sounds like some sort of ecstatic speech.
And so when we give the word its full scope of meaning, we can see that the prophets of Corinth may have been engaged in some sort of ecstatic speech.
Paul gives a different description in 1 Cor 14 that we’ve not gotten to yet —
(1Co 14:24-25 ESV) 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.
Evidently the mark of the Corinthian version of prophecy was that “the secrets of his heart are disclosed” — even unbelievers in the assembly. The prophets weren’t doing theology. They were seeing people’s hearts and histories — like Jesus and the Samaritan woman it appears.
So that wouldn’t make it into the scriptures, but may well lead to many a conversion.
Then again, if word got out that the CoC had prophets who could disclose someone’s deepest secrets, you have to wonder how many visitors we would have. I’m not sure we’d even keep our members. It’s interesting to ponder what we modern sophisticates would do if confronted with such a prophet.
Wow !! Nobody would want to come and many of the members would leave if someone were given divine revelation to know the secrets of one’s heart… Now THAT’S sad right there.. I assume we believe that the church is filled with folks that are just playing at it… wow..
My experience has been that those that have been gifted don’t use the knowledge to embarrass folks but to lift them up and encourage. Exhortation, Edification and Encouragement is what it’s all about.. I can’t imagine going to an assembly where God wasn’t present… but that’s just me.
Jay,
I agree with you by-in-large that the early church’s prophecy was perhaps limited in scope to the thoughts and intents of the heart(particularly) of the unconverted as they didn’t seem to be able to use their giftedness to understand their own lack of love for one another(interesting, since that is a heart problem) and that the Apostle Paul had to expose it to them. Of course God is the master at using other folk’s problems as an example for us today. There was at least one time(perhaps more) of when the disciples(regular members) prophesied “by the Spirit” and it made it into the Canon. In Acts 21:4-12 the disciples prophesied that if Paul went to Jerusalem he would be bound over for arrest (Agabus gave an interesting visual display) which begs the question, did Paul sin and hasten his demise by not heeding the Spirit’s warning?
Laymond, I don’t doubt that Paul was able to access OT scriptures just as Jesus did, but this too was inspired in action. Paul also spake beyond the Ot scriptures on many things.
Some good thoughts. It is possible the spritual gifts in I Cor. did not relay any new information or doctrine, but were for edification only allowing one to eloquintly speak or speak in tongues. It is possible that people were inspired to pull up things like Psalms or Proverbs and relate them to others. What we do know is that Paul corrects the Corinthians on things and giving them new points, that if they were truly inspired in that way, then they should have been self-correcting and self-teaching, but this obviously wasn’t so. Whatever the apostles relayed by thier gifts was different than what they could relay to each other by thier limited gifts.
Monty,
The Paul/Agabus exchange is interesting for several reasons. Many commentators conclude that Agabus wasn’t exactly correct regarding what would happen — although largely so. And it’s impossible to imagine a man of God refusing to follow the direction of a Moses or Isaiah. Surely Agabus’ gift was of a lower order. Paul ranks prophets below apostles. Maybe Agabus was inspired as to the future but not regarding whether Paul should go to Jerusalem. He may have been speaking entirely on his own.
Monty,
As we notice events such as you have described. We must always be alert to other forces in this world. For instance we are commanded to avoid witchcraft. Can you avoid something that does not exist? For me to paraphrase a little, God warned that he would send a strong delusion to those who chose to believe a lie so they may be lost, and that delusion may be strong enough to sway the very elect. I believe that is a powerful reason for me (us) to watch carefully what others teach and preach, comparing their messages to the Word of God. How far from God’s Word would an individual have to drift before God would send this delusion? Apparently, they would not have to be Atheists, Atheists probably would have very little influence upon the very elect.
Agabus warned Paul of an outcome. He didn’t teach or instruct. So there was nothing for Paul to obey.
Apparently singing in an unknown tongue is also unedifying.
Acts 21:4 and finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit that he should not go to Jerusalem. Some prophets spoke by the guiding of the Spirit that he shouldn’t go. I’m having trouble here. Does that require more of a mandate than that from God? Paul was warned not to go, not by well meaning brethren, but by Spirit inspired men speaking through the Spirit. Why the warning from God not to go, if in reality, it was God’s expressed will for him to do so? Help me with that.
Monty,
Here’s the text:
(Acts 21:10–14 ESV) 10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” 12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
Agabus predicted Paul’s captivity but did not say he shouldn’t go. Rather, the group Paul was with — Luke says “we” — urged him not to go.
Monty I think some assumptions are made here in that text… What God revealed to the men may have been that Paul was going to be persecuted… and THE MEN didn’t want Paul to go.. Paul may have already been given his marching orders from God Himself…
Regarding Agabus: Those of us who have prophecy as a normal part of “church life” understand that we have this treasure in clay pots. One of the disciplines we learn as we learn to prophesy more effectively is to separate between prophecy and our own advice or counsel. (Once Agabus gave his warning, Paul started getting brotherly advice to change his plans, on that basis alone. Understandable… and human.) The fact that we exercise the gifts God gives does not demonstrate our infallibility (“Duh!”) nor does it require our own perfection before God will give such things to us. He knew what we were when He gifted us. We are growing in faith and faith is the milieu of all the spiritual gifts. Those who cast doubt on the gifts of the spirit because of the imperfection of the vessels employed must- to be intellectually honest- cast the same doubts on preaching and understanding the scriptures.
I understand how those who can only speculate about prophecy would have many unspoken misconceptions about it, lacking any basis in experience. Such as mistaking it for fortune-telling. Or assuming that it is of the “Balaam’s ass” format, or that it is forced onto doubting lips under external control. What I do not understand is why such speculators spend so long satisfied with such facile speculation when their community includes many mature believers who could provide them with actual information. If you want to understand the bicycle, ask the fellow who is riding one past your house.