Spiritual Gifts (12:1-11, 14:1-40)
Paul reminds his mostly Gentile audience that they were once led astray by 'mute idols.' The argument could be that if they were led away by mute idols how much more might they be led away by false words uttered during their gatherings. Or, it may have been the case that ecstatic speech was very common in their former pagan worship and Paul is warning them that it can cause the same types of problems in Christian worship. After all, anyone can say anything. It is by the content of what is said that we have opportunity to determine the source of what is said (whether the source is the Spirit or not).
From these opening statements, it seems clear that the Corinthian church was experiencing a problem in regards to spiritual gifts. The problem was two-fold: 1) The use of the gifts (specifically the use of tongues) was creating factions in the church and 2) Some gifts were being over-emphasized at the expense of others. These problems go hand-in-hand and were to be solved by unity and diversity respectively. Paul's entire section (1 Corinthians 12-14) revolves around these two issues, as verses 4-6 make plain ('different'/'same' repeated 3 times).
The Holy Spirit is made known to the body by the exercise of Spirit-given gifts by the individual members. Paul provides a partial list of spiritual gifts in verses 8-10.
The message of wisdom
The message of knowledge
Faith
Healing
Miraculous powers
Prophecy
Distinguishing between spirits
Speaking in different kinds of tongues
Interpretation of tongues
Such a diversity of gifts is unified by their source, the Spirit. He gives them just as He determines. We are not given, in Scripture, clear definitions of these gifts. The message of wisdom, if connected to the same phrase in 1 Corinthians 2:6, seems to refer to deep spiritual insights for the mature in Christ. It is difficult to imagine what would distinguish the message of 'knowledge' from this, but they are distinguished. The gift of faith, apparently, is something beyond the general presence of 'faith' that is shared by all believers. The gift of healing and of miraculous powers seem self-explanatory. Prophecy is much discussed in Scripture and includes fore-telling and forth-telling God's Word to humanity. Distinguishing between spirits may be the gift of knowing when a prophecy is from the Spirit and when not. Tongues and the interpretation of tongues is a controversial subject (is it the gift of speaking a previously unlearned human language or the ability to speak some angelic language?) and is discussed in more detail later in Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 12:12-13:13 is really the cure for the 'gift' problems in the Corinthian church. For now, I want to skip ahead to 14:1-40 where Paul continues to give detail to the nature of the problem. It seems clear in 14:1-2 that the gift of tongues was being over-emphasized. Paul proceeds to give some reasons why tongues should not be emphasized at the expense of other gifts, particularly prophecy.
First, the gift of tongues involves speaking to God in an unknown language and, therefore, carries with it a direct risk of lacking intelligibility. It, therefore, only has the capacity to edify (build up) the speaker (when used in isolation). The gift of prophecy, in contrast, involves speaking to men in a known language and is, therefore, potentially edifying to the entire church. Tongues, then, has very little benefit to the church unless it is used in tandem with the gift of interpretation of tongues.
Second, the gift of tongues (as it was being practiced) was creating chaos. Paul suggests that the Corinthians limit the exercise of the gift of tongues to 2 or 3 individuals speaking one at a time and with interpretation. This was not a ban on the use of tongues (in the assembly or otherwise), but only a restraint on the public use of tongues. Any individual inspired to speak in tongues during the assembly outside of these parameters was free to do so quietly. This shows that the gift, though given by the Spirit, involved the will of the recipient as well.
***
I found vs. 20-25 especially difficult to interpret. Here are my conclusions after further investigation.
Paul says the current practice of the Corinthians is childish. I assume he means their practice of emphasizing tongues (and un-interpreted tongues at that!) over prophecy. This prioritization is foolish. He quotes Isaiah 28 to make a significant point. The Isaiah text makes clear that Isaiah had attempted to communicate with Israel on a highly elementary level of speech, so much so that the Israelites whined that it was TOO simplistic. Because they rejected Isaiah's words of discipline, God was going to send them to the Assyrians (who spoke in un-interpreted tongues) to discipline them further. This, of course, was of no help either. Paul seems to be using the Isaiah text on the Corinthians because it makes the point that un-interpreted tongues is more of a sign of judgment than blessing, its very presence is evidence that something has gone very wrong.
In v. 22, then, Paul is saying that (un-interpreted) tongues are a sign (of judgment) directed at unbelieving people. When a church is using un-interpreted tongues it is of no value to anyone but the individual speakers. Prophecy, on the other hand, is very valuable to all people. It edifies the church and has the great potential of convincing the unbelievers.
In short, if the Corinthians continue to practice un-interpreted tongues, it would be evidence of judgment, not blessing! Paul is turning their argument (we are special b/c we speak in tongues) on it's head by saying un-interpreted tongues is linked to judgment.
Prophecy
1. To be more eagerly desired, 1
2. Speaks to men, 3a
3. Understandable
4. Edifies church, 3b, 4b
5. Greater, 5
6. May lead to conversion, 24-25
Un-interpreted Tongues
1. To be less eagerly desired, 1
2. Speaks to God, 2a
3. Not understandable, 2b
4. Edifies self, 4
5. Lesser, 5
6. May lead to judgment, 22-23
So, in public worship, uninterpreted tongues is inappropriate, 6-18
Whatever you do in worship should be done to edify 26
1. Tongues: 2-3 speakers, 1 at a time, interpreters, 26
2. Prophecy: 2-3 speakers, orderly, controlled, 29-33
3. Wives: no speakers outside husbands authorization, controlled, 34-35
36-40 SUMMARY
If you guys think you get to define what worship should entail, you're dead wrong. I'm putting a stop to your free for all.
From these opening statements, it seems clear that the Corinthian church was experiencing a problem in regards to spiritual gifts. The problem was two-fold: 1) The use of the gifts (specifically the use of tongues) was creating factions in the church and 2) Some gifts were being over-emphasized at the expense of others. These problems go hand-in-hand and were to be solved by unity and diversity respectively. Paul's entire section (1 Corinthians 12-14) revolves around these two issues, as verses 4-6 make plain ('different'/'same' repeated 3 times).
The Holy Spirit is made known to the body by the exercise of Spirit-given gifts by the individual members. Paul provides a partial list of spiritual gifts in verses 8-10.
The message of wisdom
The message of knowledge
Faith
Healing
Miraculous powers
Prophecy
Distinguishing between spirits
Speaking in different kinds of tongues
Interpretation of tongues
Such a diversity of gifts is unified by their source, the Spirit. He gives them just as He determines. We are not given, in Scripture, clear definitions of these gifts. The message of wisdom, if connected to the same phrase in 1 Corinthians 2:6, seems to refer to deep spiritual insights for the mature in Christ. It is difficult to imagine what would distinguish the message of 'knowledge' from this, but they are distinguished. The gift of faith, apparently, is something beyond the general presence of 'faith' that is shared by all believers. The gift of healing and of miraculous powers seem self-explanatory. Prophecy is much discussed in Scripture and includes fore-telling and forth-telling God's Word to humanity. Distinguishing between spirits may be the gift of knowing when a prophecy is from the Spirit and when not. Tongues and the interpretation of tongues is a controversial subject (is it the gift of speaking a previously unlearned human language or the ability to speak some angelic language?) and is discussed in more detail later in Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 12:12-13:13 is really the cure for the 'gift' problems in the Corinthian church. For now, I want to skip ahead to 14:1-40 where Paul continues to give detail to the nature of the problem. It seems clear in 14:1-2 that the gift of tongues was being over-emphasized. Paul proceeds to give some reasons why tongues should not be emphasized at the expense of other gifts, particularly prophecy.
First, the gift of tongues involves speaking to God in an unknown language and, therefore, carries with it a direct risk of lacking intelligibility. It, therefore, only has the capacity to edify (build up) the speaker (when used in isolation). The gift of prophecy, in contrast, involves speaking to men in a known language and is, therefore, potentially edifying to the entire church. Tongues, then, has very little benefit to the church unless it is used in tandem with the gift of interpretation of tongues.
Second, the gift of tongues (as it was being practiced) was creating chaos. Paul suggests that the Corinthians limit the exercise of the gift of tongues to 2 or 3 individuals speaking one at a time and with interpretation. This was not a ban on the use of tongues (in the assembly or otherwise), but only a restraint on the public use of tongues. Any individual inspired to speak in tongues during the assembly outside of these parameters was free to do so quietly. This shows that the gift, though given by the Spirit, involved the will of the recipient as well.
***
I found vs. 20-25 especially difficult to interpret. Here are my conclusions after further investigation.
Paul says the current practice of the Corinthians is childish. I assume he means their practice of emphasizing tongues (and un-interpreted tongues at that!) over prophecy. This prioritization is foolish. He quotes Isaiah 28 to make a significant point. The Isaiah text makes clear that Isaiah had attempted to communicate with Israel on a highly elementary level of speech, so much so that the Israelites whined that it was TOO simplistic. Because they rejected Isaiah's words of discipline, God was going to send them to the Assyrians (who spoke in un-interpreted tongues) to discipline them further. This, of course, was of no help either. Paul seems to be using the Isaiah text on the Corinthians because it makes the point that un-interpreted tongues is more of a sign of judgment than blessing, its very presence is evidence that something has gone very wrong.
In v. 22, then, Paul is saying that (un-interpreted) tongues are a sign (of judgment) directed at unbelieving people. When a church is using un-interpreted tongues it is of no value to anyone but the individual speakers. Prophecy, on the other hand, is very valuable to all people. It edifies the church and has the great potential of convincing the unbelievers.
In short, if the Corinthians continue to practice un-interpreted tongues, it would be evidence of judgment, not blessing! Paul is turning their argument (we are special b/c we speak in tongues) on it's head by saying un-interpreted tongues is linked to judgment.
Prophecy
1. To be more eagerly desired, 1
2. Speaks to men, 3a
3. Understandable
4. Edifies church, 3b, 4b
5. Greater, 5
6. May lead to conversion, 24-25
Un-interpreted Tongues
1. To be less eagerly desired, 1
2. Speaks to God, 2a
3. Not understandable, 2b
4. Edifies self, 4
5. Lesser, 5
6. May lead to judgment, 22-23
So, in public worship, uninterpreted tongues is inappropriate, 6-18
Whatever you do in worship should be done to edify 26
1. Tongues: 2-3 speakers, 1 at a time, interpreters, 26
2. Prophecy: 2-3 speakers, orderly, controlled, 29-33
3. Wives: no speakers outside husbands authorization, controlled, 34-35
36-40 SUMMARY
If you guys think you get to define what worship should entail, you're dead wrong. I'm putting a stop to your free for all.
posted by matthew at 11:31 AM
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