Let me remind you that 1 Corinthians 14 is written in the context of a question or issue dealing with “spiritual gifts” (12:1). This whole discussion deals with answering the question, “How do you know what God has communicated?” (12:1-3). The answer is that God manifests Himself through miraculous gifts given by the Holy Spirit (12:7).
But there was more at issue than just the doctrinal question. There was also the practical problem that some Christians (those who could speak foreign languages) were arrogant with their gift while Paul will say that the gift of prophecy is a better gift. Why? Because the nature of worship requires it to be understandable (14:1-25). It also must be ordered (14:26-40). Let’s take a closer look at 14:1-25…
Taking a “bird’s-eye-view” of the text, we see the word “prophecy” is used 6 times in verses 1-19; “tongues” is used 10 times, along with two uses of the word “language”; and “edification / edify” is used 6 times, along with the words “exhort” and “consolation.”
The best gift to have, Paul writes, is the gift of prophecy (14:1-5). Why? Because when you speak the language of your audience, then your message can: edify, exhort, and console. But, one who speaks a foreign language can only encourage himself. If someone speaks in a foreign language, then, there must be an interpreter (a rule which Pentecostals and other Charismatic churches constantly violate).
Next, Paul uses a few analogies to show the importance of worship being understandable. First (14:7-9), Paul argues that instruments of music are only making noise if they do not present something that is harmonious. The point is that miraculous (or any) gift should be used for edification. The second analogy is that of foreign languages themselves (14:10-11). Language is designed to communicate; if there is no communication, the languge is not serving a purpose.
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Then Paul argues that our worship should cause the mind and the spirit to be engaged. Primarily, worship is designed to educate, encourage, console, and indoctrinate those in the audience. The primary target of worship, then, ought to be the mind. If there is not an interpreter / translator, then the visitors cannot say “Amen,” because he cannot understand what is said.
If there is no understanding / edification, there is no purpose being served in worship. Yet, many denominations have changed worship so that the primary target is the emotions. That’s why they are willing to do anything and everything in worship, including turning the sermon into a pep rally. Worship, for them, is not accomplishing what God intends for worship to fulfill.
So, the preferred gift is the one that communicates the quickest and easiest, which is prophecy. To “live cross-culturally,” Paul teaches us in this chapter, we should make sure our worship targets the mind and spirit for edification, encouragement, and consolation.
Paul Holland
