"Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” (v.1)
In our text today, Paul is reminding the people of Corinth about the purpose of spiritual gifts and how they are to function in a public worship assembly - specifically the gift of tongues and prophesy. He does not fault them for the gifts nor the desire to have them, he simply instructs them as to when and when not to use their gifts, especially tongues. An important instruction to note, "He who speaks in tongues speaks to God, not to man" (v.2). And cautions not to cause confusion during corporate worship with the unbeliever who would say, "you are out of your mind" (v.24). While he who prophesies, "speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men" (v.3) and "edifies the church" (v.4).
Paul reminds the believers that spiritual gifts are given for the common good, and when the community gathers, priority should be given to the gift of prophecy for it convicts the heart (v. 24). Paul goes on to say while there’s freedom in the gatherings, nevertheless, there are restrictions put in place. These restrictions, such as forbidding more than one person from talking at a time or requiring interpretation for a person speaking in tongues, do not restrain the Spirit but, promotes order (vv. 26-40). Therefore, the exercise of spiritual gifts should always be done for edification (v.26), properly, and in an orderly manner (v.40).
Most importantly Paul reminds them to desire spiritual gifts, especially prophesy (v.1). Why? that they might edify the body (v.12). And so should we. Why? to become closer to God, that He might work through us, to edify others.
The Truth: "So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification." (Romans 14:9)
In our text today, Paul is reminding the people of Corinth about the purpose of spiritual gifts and how they are to function in a public worship assembly - specifically the gift of tongues and prophesy. He does not fault them for the gifts nor the desire to have them, he simply instructs them as to when and when not to use their gifts, especially tongues. An important instruction to note, "He who speaks in tongues speaks to God, not to man" (v.2). And cautions not to cause confusion during corporate worship with the unbeliever who would say, "you are out of your mind" (v.24). While he who prophesies, "speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men" (v.3) and "edifies the church" (v.4).
Paul reminds the believers that spiritual gifts are given for the common good, and when the community gathers, priority should be given to the gift of prophecy for it convicts the heart (v. 24). Paul goes on to say while there’s freedom in the gatherings, nevertheless, there are restrictions put in place. These restrictions, such as forbidding more than one person from talking at a time or requiring interpretation for a person speaking in tongues, do not restrain the Spirit but, promotes order (vv. 26-40). Therefore, the exercise of spiritual gifts should always be done for edification (v.26), properly, and in an orderly manner (v.40).
Most importantly Paul reminds them to desire spiritual gifts, especially prophesy (v.1). Why? that they might edify the body (v.12). And so should we. Why? to become closer to God, that He might work through us, to edify others.
The Truth: "So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification." (Romans 14:9)
