All written materials for this series will be posted on this website, http://servingandsharing.com/, under the category, “1 Corinthians – Called to Be Saints.” Here is my video presentation introducing 1 Corinthians – https://youtu.be/MiaMXIyVrRU. All other video presentations in this series will be posted here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI-t5t25Ptg&list=PL7JRppjEn33bJCwx5j1l6O8BE3ozid-JB. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, send a message via the “Contact” button.
Please forward this post to anyone that you think would benefit from this study and consider inviting others to subscribe.
The fundamental principle of 1 Corinthians 14 is one that is desperately needed today. It is simply this, that God intends His gifts to be used for the edification of fellow Christians in the local church body. This was true of the miraculous manifestations of the first century, and it remains equally true of all that God has placed in our hands today. When the church comes together to worship God, it’s not about entertainment, excitement, or excess. It’s about mutual edification!
14:1-5 Exhortation
“Pursue love!” As a runner his prize, as a hunter his prey!
“Desire,” especially to prophesy. Why?
Uninterpreted tongues edified only the speaker.
First-century prophecy edified the whole church.
Purpose: not to exhibit, excite, or entertain, but to edify.
1 Cor 8:1; 10:23; 14:12, 17; Acts 9:31; 14:22.
Eph 2:22; 4:12, 29; 5:18-21; Rom 14:19; Heb 10:19-26.
“In order to build each other up today, we must …” (You finish it.)
14:6-25 Explanation
14:6-11 Illustrations
Flute or harp; bugle call to battle; human conversation.
Noise only, without a clear message = no use to others.
14:12-25 Applications
14:12-15 To the speaker.
14:16-20 To ungifted believers. (Note re: ἰδιώτης, idiotes)
14:21-25 To unbelievers.
Allusion to Isa 28:11-12 — God gave Israel, who had not heeded prophets in their own tongue, a punitive sign. He would declare His judgment against them in a foreign (Assyrian) tongue, to no avail. Unbelievers who visited the church’s assembly would be in a similar situation. Their inability to understand the words spoken in a foreign tongue would be a sign to them of their need to believe and obey the gospel. The tongues-speaking would serve as a sign, not of good things, but of their lost condition without Christ.
14:26-40 Regulation
A hymn, lesson, revelation, tongue, or interpretation. Variety.
All for edification. Taking turns. In order. Maximum of 3.
Peace and order. No competition, contradiction, chaos, or confusion.
Under control. Able to wait or remain silent. Not “slain … Spirit.”
Men – silent at specific times, when not leading, or when other men are speaking.
Women – silent at all times, not speaking as men were to do in the churches (assemblies). Of course, women would sing along with the entire congregation (Eph 5:18; Col 3:16). That is not the issue here. Neither is this passage talking about group Bible studies, but rather the worship assembly of the church. For further study, read What About the Women? by Cynthia Dianne Guy, and Women in the Church: Biblical and Historical Perspectives, by Everett Ferguson.
“In all the churches.” “The Law” – Gen 3:16 or Mosaic law overall.
An essential mark of true spirituality: respect for biblical, apostolic authority.
Cory we love your sermons
Thank you, Rick. God’s blessings to you and your family!