Bullet Point Bible - 1 Corinthians 14

Prophecy Preferred over Uninterpreted Tongues

¹ Pursue love and be eager for the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.² For the one speaking in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, for no one understands; he is speaking mysteries by the Spirit.³ But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and consolation.⁴ The one who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.⁵ I wish you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be strengthened.

Paul frames the discussion of spiritual gifts within the context of pursuing love (as detailed in 1 Corinthians 13).
While encouraging eagerness for all spiritual gifts, Paul explicitly prioritizes prophecy.
"Tongues" (Greek: *glossa*) likely refers to ecstatic utterances needing interpretation, rather than known foreign languages in this context.
Speaking in tongues without interpretation is directed towards God and involves "mysteries," benefiting primarily the speaker.
Prophecy, in contrast, is intelligible speech directed towards people for their edification ("strengthening, encouragement, and consolation").
The primary criterion for valuing a spiritual gift in the assembly is its ability to build up the entire church community.
Paul affirms the validity of tongues but establishes a hierarchy based on communal benefit: prophecy is greater than uninterpreted tongues.
Interpretation elevates the gift of tongues, making it beneficial for the church, similar to prophecy.

The Necessity of Intelligibility for Edification

⁶ Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I help you unless I speak to you with a revelation or with knowledge or prophecy or teaching?⁷ It is similar for lifeless things that make a sound, like a flute or harp. Unless they make a distinction in the notes, how can what is played on the flute or harp be understood?⁸ If, for example, the trumpet makes an unclear sound, who will get ready for battle?⁹ It is the same for you. If you do not speak clearly with your tongue, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air.¹⁰ There are probably many kinds of languages in the world, and none is without meaning.¹¹ If then I do not know the meaning of a language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.¹² It is the same with you. Since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, seek to abound in order to strengthen the church.

Paul argues that unintelligible speech (like uninterpreted tongues) offers no benefit to the listeners.
He uses analogies: musical instruments need distinct notes to make melody (v. 7), and a trumpet needs a clear call for battle (v. 8).
Speech, like music or signals, must be understandable to be effective; otherwise, it's like "speaking into the air."
Paul acknowledges the existence and validity of various languages (v. 10), but stresses that meaning requires comprehension (v. 11).
Lack of understanding creates alienation ("foreigner") between speaker and listener.
The Corinthians' eagerness for spiritual gifts ("manifestations of the Spirit") should be channeled towards what builds up the church.
The ultimate goal of exercising spiritual gifts in public worship is the edification ("strengthen") of the community.

Praying and Praising with Spirit and Mind

¹³ So then, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.¹⁴ If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive.¹⁵ What should I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praises with my spirit, but I will also sing praises with my mind.¹⁶ Otherwise, if you are praising God with your spirit, how can someone without the gift say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?¹⁷ For you are certainly giving thanks well, but the other person is not strengthened.¹⁸ I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you,¹⁹ but in the church I want to speak five words with my mind to instruct others, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Since intelligibility is key, those who speak in tongues should seek the complementary gift of interpretation.
Paul distinguishes between praying "with my spirit" (associated with tongues, potentially non-cognitive) and praying "with my mind" (cognitive, understandable).
He affirms the validity of praying/singing with the spirit but insists on the necessity of engaging the mind for communal worship.
Uninterpreted praise in tongues prevents others from participating meaningfully (saying "Amen").
While the thanksgiving offered in tongues might be genuine ("giving thanks well"), it fails the test of edifying others if not understood.
Paul validates his own significant experience with tongues, preventing accusations that he undervalues the gift because he lacks it.
He starkly contrasts the value of minimal understandable instruction ("five words with my mind") over abundant unintelligible speech ("ten thousand words in a tongue") within the church gathering.
The priority remains instruction and edification of the community.

The Function of Tongues and Prophecy

²⁰ Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking. Instead, be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.²¹ It is written in the law: " By people with strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, yet not even in this way will they listen to me ," says the Lord.²² So then, tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.²³ So if the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and unbelievers or uninformed people enter, will they not say that you have lost your minds?²⁴ But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or uninformed person enters, he will be convicted by all, he will be called to account by all.²⁵ The secrets of his heart are disclosed, and in this way he will fall down with his face to the ground and worship God, declaring, "God is really among you."

Paul exhorts the Corinthians towards mature thinking regarding spiritual gifts, contrasting it with childish fascination.
He quotes Isaiah 28:11-12, originally referring to God speaking to rebellious Israel through foreign invaders (Assyrians).
Paul applies this passage to argue that tongues function as a sign, particularly for unbelievers, potentially as a sign of judgment or authenticity depending on interpretation.
Prophecy, being understandable, primarily serves believers by building them up.
Uncontrolled, widespread use of tongues in the assembly would appear chaotic and insane to outsiders ("unbelievers or uninformed people").
Prophecy, however, can convict unbelievers by revealing the secrets of their hearts through Spirit-inspired, understandable speech.
The desired outcome of prophecy impacting an unbeliever is conviction, repentance, worship, and acknowledgment of God's presence.
This section highlights the different impacts of tongues and prophecy on different audiences within the gathered church context.

Guidelines for Orderly Exercise of Gifts

²⁶ What should you do then, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each one has a song, has a lesson, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all these things be done for the strengthening of the church.²⁷ If someone speaks in a tongue, it should be two, or at the most three, one after the other, and someone must interpret.²⁸ But if there is no interpreter, he should be silent in the church. Let him speak to himself and to God.²⁹ Two or three prophets should speak and the others should evaluate what is said.³⁰ And if someone sitting down receives a revelation, the person who is speaking should conclude.³¹ For you can all prophesy one after another, so all can learn and be encouraged.³² Indeed, the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets,³³ for God is not characterized by disorder but by peace.

Paul envisions a participatory worship service where various members contribute ("each one has...").
The overarching principle remains: all contributions must aim at edifying ("strengthening") the church.
Specific regulations for tongues: limited number (two or three), sequential turns ("one after the other"), and mandatory interpretation.
If no interpreter is present, the person with the tongue should remain silent in the public assembly, directing their utterance privately to God.
Specific regulations for prophecy: limited number speaking (two or three), evaluation by others ("the others should evaluate"), and yielding the floor when another receives a revelation.
Evaluation of prophecy is crucial, indicating that prophetic utterances were not considered infallible or beyond assessment by the community.
Prophecy should be orderly ("one after another") to ensure everyone can learn and be encouraged.
Unlike pagan ecstatic prophecy, Christian prophets maintain self-control ("spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets").
The basis for this orderliness is the nature of God himself, who is a God of peace, not disorder.

Instructions Regarding Women Speaking and Church Order

³³ for God is not characterized by disorder but by peace.

Paul grounds his instruction in the common practice of "all the churches of the saints."
The command is for women "to be silent" and "not permitted to speak" in the churches, linked to being "in submission."
The specific nature and scope of this "silence" and "speaking" are heavily debated among scholars (e.g., disruptive questions, judging prophecy, authoritative teaching).
Paul references "the law" as supporting this submission, though the specific OT reference is unclear (possibly Genesis 3:16 or general principles).
Women seeking clarification should ask their husbands privately at home, avoiding disruption in the public assembly.
Speaking in this context is deemed "disgraceful" (Greek: *aischron*), suggesting it violated cultural norms of propriety.
Verses 34-35 are textually debated; some scholars argue they might be a later interpolation, though manuscript evidence is complex.
Paul rhetorically challenges the Corinthians' potential sense of spiritual superiority or uniqueness ("Did the word of God begin with you...?").
This passage must be interpreted in light of 1 Corinthians 11:5, where Paul seems to permit women praying and prophesying (with heads covered).

Paul's Apostolic Authority and Final Instructions

³⁷ If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, he should acknowledge that what I write to you is the Lord's command.³⁸ If someone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.³⁹ So then, brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid anyone from speaking in tongues.⁴⁰ And do everything in a decent and orderly manner.

Paul asserts his apostolic authority, stating his instructions are equivalent to "the Lord's command."
True prophets or spiritual individuals within the Corinthian church would recognize the divine authority behind Paul's words.
Failure to recognize Paul's authority carries a serious consequence: that person themselves will not be recognized (likely by God or the apostolic community).
Paul summarizes the practical application: prioritize prophecy ("be eager to prophesy") but do not prohibit tongues entirely.
The final, overarching principle for church gatherings is that everything must be done "decently and in order."
This concluding command encapsulates the main thrust of chapters 11-14 concerning worship practices.
Orderliness and decency reflect the character of God (v. 33) and ensure the edification of the church (v. 26).

Additional Content

³⁴ the women should be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak. Rather, let them be in submission, as in fact the law says.³⁵ If they want to find out about something, they should ask their husbands at home, because it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in church.³⁶ Did the word of God begin with you, or did it come to you alone?

The Bullet Point Bible

1 Corinthians 14