Speaking in Tongues and Prophecy

Paul opens this chapter with a charge for believers to let Love be the highest goal. He reminds the Corinthians of this command during a period in which the spiritual gift of Speaking in Tongues was being used in a competitive nature among the believers. In earlier chapters, he speaks of spiritual gifts but in chapter 14 he focuses on two gifts that come through our words: prophecy and speaking in tongues. Prophesy means to speak and during the early church era it meant “publicly speaking forth the word of God.” In contrast, speaking in tongues meant speaking a different language in praise to God. Although both gifts are from the spirit, Paul urges believers to desire the gift of Prophesy over that of Speaking in tongues.

Because Love is the theme, we must remember that in chapter 13, Paul reminds us that spiritual gifts are quite useless if they are not practiced with love. Although both speaking in tongues as well as prophesy are gifts, Paul demonstrates how one is better at encouraging love while the other increases separation and confusion.

Speaking in tongues:

• A spiritual gift that is spoken in an unknown tongue

• Requires an interpreter

• Encourages only the one who is speaking

• Multiple speakers at one time speaking in tongue cause chaos and thus becomes just “NOISE”

• Builds up one person. The worship of one person

• Without interpretation, this unknown tongue cannot convict sinners

• Cause disorder and confusion: God is not a god of confusion

• Edifying to one

Prophesy:

• A spiritual gift that is spoken in a language common to the audience

• No interpreter required

• Encourages all who hears the words

• One speaker at a time bringing the WORD with clear direction

• Builds up the church, The worship of the entire body

• Unbelievers will understand and be convicted of their sins

• Brings about understanding and Love: God is a god of Love

• Edifying to the church

As believers, we have a duty to share with the world the One who is Love, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We must remember how we were once Lost and without peace. How did we come to know the Lord? Were we convicted by unknown tongues spoken by an individual or by the preaching of God’s Word?