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

Dear God, my Beloved Father, I respectfully offer my praise and gratitude to You. You are the Almighty God and my Father in Heaven. You have faithfully been by my side, providing for all my needs in life, satisfying me in You, and granting me a new day to serve You. Above all, You have blessed me with the Eternal Living Word of God to nourish my soul. I am delighted to read the heartfelt expressions of my brothers and sisters in the Church, speaking of the joy found in meditating on Your Word every day. May You bestow this amazing blessing upon all my fellow believers in the Church. Now, I beseech Christ to renew my physical body with strength. I implore the Holy Spirit to grant me wisdom and understanding in my spirit so that I may comprehend and find joy in Your Word.

Father, I would like to share my reflection on I Corinthians 14:13-25 as follows:

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.

Verses 13 and 14: I understand that the Apostle Paul advises those who have the gift of speaking in different languages to pray for the gift of interpretation for the languages they speak. Only then can they understand what they are saying in different languages and receive even greater edification. Although the distribution of gifts is at the discretion of the Holy Spirit, those who have the gift of speaking in languages can pray for the gift of interpretation for the languages that the Holy Spirit has granted them. This prayer is to ask for the benefit of using their language gifts not only for themselves, but also for the benefit of the Church.

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.

Verses 15 to 17: I understand that the Apostle Paul advises those who have the gift of speaking in different languages to pray and sing in those languages, as given to them by the Holy Spirit. However, they should also pray and sing in a language that they and the Church understand, in order to have unity in worshiping and honoring God. In fact, speaking in different languages, praying, or singing praises to God in languages that the speaker or singer does not understand does not benefit anyone, apart from assuring the speaker that they belong to God because they have received the gift from Him.

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.

Verses 18 and 19: I understand that the Apostle Paul, being educated, knew not only the Aramaic language commonly used by the Israelites at that time, but also had knowledge of Latin and Greek. However, through his words, I understand that the Holy Spirit also granted him the gift of speaking other languages, not just a few, but many different languages. However, Paul chose to speak a few words that the listeners could understand rather than many words that they would not comprehend. I appreciate the way Paul referred to God as “my God.”

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

Verse 20: I understand that the Apostle Paul advises the people of God to be wise and knowledgeable in all things, especially regarding the Word of God, as mature individuals should be. If the people of God lack understanding of the Word of God, they will be destroyed. However, concerning sin, the people of God should not be wise and knowledgeable about how to sin. On the contrary, when it comes to sin, the people of God should be like children, lacking wisdom and knowledge in the realm of transgression.

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.

Verses 21 and 22: I understand that perhaps the people of God in Corinth at that time were boasting about their ability to speak in different languages. The Apostle Paul wanted them to understand that this gift of speaking in languages only served to make unbelievers recognize them as the people of God. This gift did not benefit those who already believed in God. On the other hand, the gift of prophecy is useful and necessary for believers. It adds understanding about God and His Word to the people of God.

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?

Verse 23: I understand that speaking in different languages during church gatherings without interpretation is not appropriate. It does not benefit the church and leads to confusion for those who do not believe in God. I have witnessed the phenomenon of “speaking in tongues” in the gatherings of certain Charismatic and Pentecostal churches and found it to be disorderly, resembling a group of people who have lost their minds, competing in shouting strange sounds. I am grateful that You have made me aware that these cases influenced by evil spirits. These places are not Your church.

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.

Verses 24 and 25: I understand that during church gatherings, there should be someone who proclaims the Word of God in the local language. This way, when unbelievers come to church gatherings, they will hear and understand what the people of God are proclaiming. At that time, the Holy Spirit will make them understand the words being proclaimed, they will be convicted of their sins, and they will submit to God.

Father, I thank You for today’s lesson. May You grant Your people a deep understanding of the Eternal Living Word of God, abundant strength to live according to the Word, and grace in proclaiming it. Please remind each person that Christ may come at any moment to take the Church out of the world. Please preserve each of us in integrity so that we are ready for the coming of Christ. A-men!

In the grace of Jesus Christ, my Lord.

Timothy Christian Huynh
05/29/2023