I Corinthians 14:13-25
Prophecy and Tongues – Part 2

Today, 05/29/2023, let us, together in the grace of God, rejoice and reflect on the Word of God in I Corinthians 14:13-25.

13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

[King James Version]

Suggested Questions:

1. Does verse 13 and verse 14 imply that those who are gifted with tongues speak languages they do not understand?

2. Does verse 15 imply that those who are gifted with tongues and pray and sing in a foreign language should also pray and sing in a language they understand?

3. Do verses 16 to 19 and verses 21 to 23 imply that speaking in foreign languages in the Church without an interpreter is not beneficial, does not edify, and may cause offense?

4. What does the phrase “in malice be ye children” in verse 20 mean?

5. What does the phrase “in understanding be men” in verse 20 mean?

6. Do verses 23 to 25 imply rejecting the speaking of different languages in the Church when there is no interpreter and encouraging God’s people to speak in prophecy?

7. Why is it that when someone who doesn’t believe enters the Church and hears God’s people speaking in prophecy, they are “judged” by everyone?

Suggested Applications:

1. Have you ever walked into a place that claims to be the Church of God and witnessed people “speaking in tongues,” praying in “unknown tongues” without an interpreter?

2. Have you ever spoken, producing meaningless sounds that are not any known human language?

3. Have you ever received the gift of speaking in different languages or the gift of interpretation of languages?

Note:

[1] (a) Please note that when the term “spirit” is used without a definite article in Greek to refer to God and Christ, it refers to their mindset and should not be capitalized. (b) If it is used to refer to humans, it refers to the human mindset aligning with God’s. (c) When used with a definite article, it refers to the spiritual essence of either God or humans.

[2] Please note that when the term “holy spirit” is used without a definite article in Greek, it refers to the power and life coming from God, not the person of God the Holy Spirit, and should not be capitalized.