1 Corinthians 14:1-12 Lesson 333

1 Corinthians 14:1-12
Lesson 333

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

Which is greater, the gift of prophecy or tongues?

Study Tip:

Review past lessons. It helps tie the Bible together.

The First Epistle of Paul The Apostle To The Corinthians

The King James Bible

1 Corinthians 14:1-12
Paul on prophecy and tongues

1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

5 I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.

10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

Margin notes:

"Follow after charity." (14:1) - This means "seek love" (Matthew 22:37-40; I Corinthians 16:14).

"But rather that ye may prophesy." (14:1) - "But especially that you may prophesy." Prophesy is more than the gift of foretelling the future. It is also the ability to teach, rebuke, or encourage others with the help of God.

"He that speaketh in unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God." (14:2) - "Those that speak in an unknown language don't talk to people, but to God."

"Howbeit." (14:2) - Means however or but.

"But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort." (14:3) - "But those who preach educate, strengthen, and encourage people."

"He that prophesieth edifieth the church." (14:4) - "He who teaches strengthens the church."

"I would." (14:5) - "I wish."

"Greater is he that prophesieth." (12:5) - "More useful is he that prophesizes."

"If I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you." (14:6) - "If I come speaking in a foreign language, how does that help you?"

"By doctrine?" (14:6) - "By teaching."

"Even things without life giving sound." (14:7) - "Even lifeless musical instruments."

"Who shall prepare himself to the battle?" (14:8) - "Who shall prepare himself for war?"

"There are...many kinds of voices in the world." (14:10) - "There are...many different languages in the world."

"Barbarian." (14:11) - Means "foreigner." In biblical days, it was common to call people who did not speak your language a barbarian; and you were a barbarian to them.

"Zealous of spiritual gifts." (14:12) - "Eager for spiritual gifts."

New Living Translation

1 Corinthians 14:1-12
Tongues and Prophecy

1 Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives-especially the ability to prophesy.

2 For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won't be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious.

3 But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them.

4 A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.

5 I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you could all prophesy. For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened.

6 Dear brothers and sisters, if I should come to you speaking in an unknown language, how would that help you? But if I bring you a revelation or some special knowledge or prophecy or teaching, that will be helpful.

7 Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly, or no one will recognize the melody.

8 And if the bugler doesn't sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle?

9 It's the same for you. If you speak to people in words they don't understand, how will they know what you are saying? You might as well be talking into empty space.

10 There are many different languages in the world, and every language has meaning.

11 But if I don't understand a language, I will be a foreigner to someone who speaks it, and the one who speaks it will be a foreigner to me.

12 And the same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church.

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's question:

1. Why is the gift of prophecy so important? (14:1)




To learn more about the Scriptures, study your Bible daily.  These lessons should not be your only contact with God.

Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. The gift of prophecy (teaching) is important because it encourages and comforts Christians to grow in faith (14:3). It spreads God's message (14:5) and strengthens the church. Unlike speaking in tongues, the lessons in prophecy can be understood and learned by all believers (14:6; 14:24-25).




Application thought for the day:

How can your spiritual gift strengthen the church?

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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