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Prophecy and Tongues
Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
Tongues and Prophecy
Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives — especially the ability to prophesy.
Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives — especially the ability to prophesy.
For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them.
He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.
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.
Tongues Must Be Interpreted
But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?
But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?
Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played?
Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly, or no one will recognize the melody.
For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?
And if the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle?
So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.
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.
There are many different languages in the world, and every language has meaning.
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.
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.
Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said.
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying.
What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?
For if you praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don’t understand you praise God along with you? How can they join you in giving thanks when they don’t understand what you are saying?
For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.
You will be giving thanks very well, but it won’t strengthen the people who hear you.
I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;
I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you.
yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language.
Tongues a Sign to Unbelievers
Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.
Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.
Dear brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind.
In the law it is written:
“With men of other tongues and other lips
I will speak to this people;
And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,”
says the Lord.
“With men of other tongues and other lips
I will speak to this people;
And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,”
says the Lord.
Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.
So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers.
Even so, if unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your church meeting and hear everyone speaking in an unknown language, they will think you are crazy.
But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.
But if all of you are prophesying, and unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your meeting, they will be convicted of sin and judged by what you say.
As they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring, “God is truly here among you.”
A Call to Orderly Worship
Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.
If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.
No more than two or three should speak in tongues. They must speak one at a time, and someone must interpret what they say.
But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.
But if no one is present who can interpret, they must be silent in your church meeting and speak in tongues to God privately.
Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.
Let two or three people prophesy, and let the others evaluate what is said.
But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent.
But if someone is prophesying and another person receives a revelation from the Lord, the one who is speaking must stop.
For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.
In this way, all who prophesy will have a turn to speak, one after the other, so that everyone will learn and be encouraged.
And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
Remember that people who prophesy are in control of their spirit and can take turns.
Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says.
And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.
Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached?
Or do you think God’s word originated with you Corinthians? Are you the only ones to whom it was given?
If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.
If you claim to be a prophet or think you are spiritual, you should recognize that what I am saying is a command from the Lord himself.
Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.
So, my dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking in tongues.