Bible Discussion Thread

An interpretation of chapter, 1 Corinthians 14. (PT 2)

Prophesy is not in an unknown language (in grk tongue and language is the same word, ie "glosa"), but in the native language of people.

Verse 4. One who speaks in tongues edifies himself. Why? Because tongues are a sign that someone is filled with God's Spirit. And the Spirit when is in work inside a believer produces a fruit, the fruit of the Spirit. That person does not understand what they say in a foreign language but the Spirit inside them does a work, sanctification, so edification is taking place inside them. But the rest of people who hear him talking in an unknown tongue are not afected, nothing occurs to/inside them, the only thing they hear is unknown words.

The one who prophesies edifies not only him but the church as a whole. As said direct messages from God are for the edification, and exhortation, and comfort of all.

Verse 5. Paul wishes everybody to talk in tongues, ie to be filled with God's Spirit but he wishes even more that everybody prophesies so that the congregation as a whole is benefited. So when comparing those 2 gifts, obviously prophesy is more important in the congregation than tongues UNLESS there is somebody who can interprete those mysteries said in an unknown language and so the whole congregation is benefited since they understand now what is said.

In the following versew 6-9 Paul uses the example of musical instruments to make clear that tongues if not interpreted is like "... for ye shall speak into the air.". Nobody hears, nobody understands, no work done.

Verses 10-12. In V11 it says, "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.". Here the word barbarian has to be understood as the ancients meant it to be. When Greeks heard other nationals talking in their languages at that time, all they were hearing was a continuous bar-bar-bar. So they called non Greeks as barbarians.