PROPHECYING & SPEAKING IN TONGUES

My esteemed colleague and dearly beloved brother in the Lord has posted a most intriguing article entitled, “That You May Prophecy.” When we initiated this blog last year, we stated that our purpose was to encourage a deeper study of the Word of God. We also stated that the four contributors would not agree with each other on every article that would be posted. I am writing this article as another view of the contents of 1 Corinthians 14.

One of the first rules of Bible study is to study a passage in its immediate context. By that, we mean can one ascertain the meaning of a scripture by studying the scriptures that surround the given verse.

In the book of 1 Corinthians, the Apostle is dealing with problems that were being faced by the church in Corinth. This of course, does not mean that other congregations were dealing with the same problems, or that other congregations would ever deal with the same problems. Therefore, as we study the problems enumerated in the book of 1 Corinthians we must remember that Paul was writing to deal with specific issues relating to the Corinthian congregation. Scholars, also call this, the “Sitz em Laben,” or the life situation of those who were recipients of the letter.

It is not possible to fully understand statements such as, “but especially that you may prophecy” (1 Corinthians 14:1), and “Why do you forbid to speak in tongues” (1 Corinthians 14:39), without placing these statements in the context of the entire discussion of 1 Corinthians 12-14).

Paul’s lead statement, “Now concerning spiritual gifts…” (1 Corinthians 12:1) allows us to know something of the question he is about to answer. He then begins to discuss several aspects of the spiritual gifts problems relative to what was taking place in Corinth. Brother Wayne Jackson states about this section of scripture, “Paul’s need to address this controversy likely was generated by a report of divisiveness within that church (cf. 1:10ff), and as a result of correspondence with some of the saints there (7:1).

Paul mentions the spiritual gifts that were available to the Corinthian church. Among these are wisdom, knowledge, healings, prophecy, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. From reading chapter twelve, it becomes apparent that some at Corinth were boasting about their particular spiritual gift. Paul concludes this chapter and begins chapter thirteen by stating very clearly that these gifts are of little value if they are not exercised with love. After defining love, he places it in contrast to the spiritual gifts. The gifts were temporary phenomena, they would cease, but love would last forever.

In Chapter fourteen Paul selects three of these gifts; tongues, interpretation of tongues, and prophecy, to illustrate the division that was occurring in the church at Corinth. It appears that the Apostle is attempting to regulate the use of these gifts.

Some of these Christians appear to be abusing their ability to speak in tongues. Paul admonishes those who had the gift of speaking in tongues to remain silent, if there was no one present who had the gift of interpreting (1 Corinthians 14:2, 6). In addition, he admonishes those who had the gift of tongues to speak “in turn” (1 Corinthians 14:27). Finally, they were told to exercise self-control so that order might prevail when they came together (1Corinthians 14:33).

In regard to prophecy, Paul makes the assertion that it is greater than the gift of tongues, when the gift of tongues is used improperly. The gift of prophecy was a divine gift that allowed the possessor of the gift to teach in such a way so that the entire church might be edified (1 Corinthians 14:3). Because the gift of prophecy did not require an interpreter, so it was deemed the greater gift (1 Corinthians 14:1-5, 22-25).

Paul’s admonishment to desire the gift of prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:1) and to not forbid speaking in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:39) must be studied in the context of the entire discussion (1 Corinthians 12-14). Neither of these gifts would last. It is my conviction that both of these gifts were miraculous gifts and that they were temporary (1 Corinthians 13:8). One should no more affirm that we have the gift of prophecy today, than that we have the gift of tongues today. They both appear from the context, to stand or fall together. It is my conviction that neither is present in the church today.