An Exposition of 1Cor. 12-14 Study 7: Orderliness in Church Meetings (14:26-40)

An Exposition of 1Cor. 12-14
Study 7: Orderliness in Church Meetings (14:26-40)

a. 1Cor 12-14 belong together. Apostle Paul patiently lay down the foundational principles before dealing directly with the problems - the abuse of spiritual gifts and the chaos and disorderliness.
- Having laid down all these foundation principles, apostle Paul begins to deal directly with the abuse of gifts and the confusion and chaos this caused in the church. Only after sound doctrines have been clearly laid down is the apostle Paul ready to ask, 'How is it then?' – what are the implications… ready to apply the truth to correct the errors, to spell out the implications of these doctrines. Sound doctrines/truth always have implications. Be ready for it.
## Righteous practice is always the result of sound doctrine. The mind must be instructed and be convinced first, the affection stirred, and the will moved to act in obedience to the truth. This is God's way with man.

1. Let Everything be Done in an Orderly Manner
a. The context: 'Whenever you come together' – i.e. the specific context is when the church comes together for public worship. However, the general principles laid down are applicable to all spheres of life.
- 'whenever' indicates an established practice of the church coming together for public worship services. Since apostolic times, Christian churches gather for public worship. eg Acts 2:42, 20:7; Heb 10:24-5
- 'whenever' means every occasion the church comes together, not just Sabbath day worship service only. It includes coming together for prayers, for the study of the Bible, etc. It is taken for granted that the church, and not just some members, meets for these purposes. This is the apostolic pattern! Hold fast to the pattern.
- They meet often for edification, exhortation and fellowship, not just for one meeting on Sunday morning!

b. The purpose: 'Let all things be done for edification.'
- The chief purpose for which the church comes together is for 'edification'. oikodomè means the act of building, (oikos - a house, demõ - to build). oikodomè is used only figuratively in the NT to mean the building up of spiritual growth of the church, the house of God.
- Christian love requires this. The unity of the body constrains us.
- Ignoring this principle is the cause of much trouble and chaos in the church. A lot of things which do not edify (build up saints in the most holy faith) will be introduced to the public meetings of the church.
- Don't mistake emotionalism and ecstasy with edification! A diet of jelly & sweets will not build up a child!

c. The means: '... psalm, teaching, tongue, revelation, interpretation...'
- The diversity of these means has a profound unity to it. They all convey the revealed truth of God in an intelligible manner which instructs the understanding and thus edifies (oikodomeõ) the saints.
- The great emphasis in public worship is intelligible communication of God's revealed truth for edification. So the exposition of the Holy Scripture must always be central when the church comes together to worship God.
- The Scriptures must be explained plainly and simply and applied to the hearers. This alone will build up the saints in the most holy faith.        2Tim 4:1f.
- Similarly, only hymns and psalms and spiritual songs which are full of sound doctrines are to be sung... not puerile and repetitive choruses which stir up emotions but left the mind and understanding empty.
## Have a biblical expectation in public meetings of the church. Don't enter a place where the word of God is NOT faithfully preached and honoured.
## Always come with an alert mind and a ready heart if you want to be built up in your most holy faith.

2. In the matter of speaking with Tongues
a. Several perfectly clear conditions must be complied with: (the gift was operating then…)
- don't forbid speaking with tongues. (the miraculous ability to speak the gospel in a foreign language. This was written when the gift was still in operation!).
- only two or three at the most may speak (laleõ) - speak, speaking real language, not babble or gibberish)
- each must speak in turns, one at a time, one by one orderly (else how will it be interpreted).
- the tongue must be interpreted, otherwise let him keep silent in the church.
- 'Let him speak to himself and God': this means he is to meditate upon the truth revealed to him, and praise God in his heart. Keeping silent does not prevent a person from worshipping God in spirit and truth!
- The mind doesn't cease to function just because one keeps silent.
## Cultivate a quietness of mind and heart to worship God in spirit and truth.
## Avoid the delusion of equating noise (emotional hallelujahs, repetitive choruses with loud and rhythmic music and clapping of hands and stomping of feet etc.) and other outward activities as worship. Ec 5:1-2 '...draw near…

3. In the matter of Prophesying
a. Several perfectly clear conditions must be complied with also:
- only two or three prophets speak; one by one, let others (the hearers) judge (diakrinõ).

b. 'judge': means to consider and weigh carefully what is said. Soundness and alertness in mind are absolutely necessary for this solemn duty. Therefore, the constant call to believers to be sober-minded! 1Th 5:6-8; 1Pet 1:13, 4:7, 5:8.
- 'diakrinétósan' is in the imperative mood, third person plural, present tense, ie. it is a divine command addressed to all the hearers of God's word to constantly do something.
- This cannot mean (as the charismatics love to claim) to sift out truth from the error as though biblical prophecy is a mixture of truth and error. That is why the charismatics can accommodate and even protect false prophets in their midst. Either a prophet is a true prophet or a false prophet.  False prophets are not to be tolerated in the churches of God. In the OT they were stoned to death, Deut 13 and 18:20-22.
- To 'judge' means to consider and weigh carefully with the view to implement the implication of the truth. Believers are not only commanded to hear God's word, but they are to hear in order to implement the truth in their lives, they are to hear in order to practice the truth shown to them.
## Reject unfaithful and false prophets or incur guilt by association. Truth above friendship. Ja 3:17.
## Prophets are duty-bound to preach faithfully. Hearers are commanded to hear and to 'judge' what is heard so that they may implement the implications of those truths in their life.
## How often we are hearers only... we don't engage our sound mind to weigh and consider (like a good judge handles the facts presented to him in order to come to a decision) we heard preached.

4. In the Conduct of Women at Church Meetings (33-35)
a. The basis: 'For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace...'
- This is the same basis of what has preceded and what follows. Therefore, the teaching in v33-35 flows out of the very character of God, and is not conditioned by the culture of the first century, or the view of a narrow and bigoted man and a women hater (popular view!). Note very carefully the basis of the appeal! Three folds:
- 'as the law also says': the whole revelation of God presupposes this order, eg in creation, family, Israel...
- 'as in all the churches': the apostolic pattern taught and practised in all the churches. cp 1Tm 2:9-15; Tit 2:1-5.
- 'the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord...' the Lord over His churches!!
## Beware of dismissing the abiding commands of God as merely something cultural! God is not mocked!

b. The extent: The commands apply to 'all churches of the saints.'
- Saints means the holy ones. No churches of God is excepted. Those who take exception, who reject these divine commands to maintain orderliness and peace in the church, may no longer be the churches of the saints, but assemblies of evil-doers. God may no longer be in the midst of such 'churches'.
- churches that reject these commands of God give many excuses... eg. no man, equality, gifted women, etc
## Beware of humanism and pragmatism... best not to fool around with God. Has He no right and honour to dictate how His children should conduct themselves in His household?

c. The commands: 'let your woman keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak...'
- the commands are given in the positive and restated in the negative, so that they may be no doubt as to their meaning, and to remove any loopholes. They are too clear to be misunderstood... but may be rejected!
- 'for it is shameful for women to speak in church': 'shameful' (aischron) is a very strong word, which means base and contemptible, devoid of honour or morality, that which is opposite to modesty or purity.
- Note the context very carefully. It is 'in church'. For a woman to speak (teach or preach) in a church service means she is devoid of honour or morality, she has failed to conduct herself honourably! She behaves in a base and contemptible manner. Is this a small matter to you! Such is not to be honoured!
## Women are not inferior to men, nor are men superior to women. This is God's will for His house. God sovereignly gives the teaching office to some (not all) men. Women are excluded from the teaching office.
## Women 'pastors/teachers' are among the most non-submissive and rebellious people around!
- 'let them ask their own husbands at home...' women ought to learn, but in a modest and discrete manner, not in an obtrusive and public manner. She should first seek help from her husband (assumed a believer). God expects the husbands to be teachers and guides of their wives in spiritual matters. Don't neglect this duty!
- The husband, and not your pastor, is the head of the wife. But how to teach if he himself is not taught.
## Wife, take note and be willing to be taught by your own husband. Ask him that he may begin to learn... help him!

5. Final Admonitions
a. The proud Corinthian believers are given some final and solemn admonitions:
- 'Came the word of God out from you?' Did the word of God come originally from you? This is holy sarcasm, a stern rebuke for unwillingness to submit to the word of God. Don't tell the Scripture what it ought to say! Hear what it says and obey it!!
- 'Or came it to you only' - was it you only that received it?' Holy sarcasm again. The word of God has gone out and given birth to a multitude of churches. See how all the churches of the saints received the word gladly and obey it.

b. The spiritual (the Corinthian believers were boastful of their spirituality!) ones have these marks:
- They acknowledge what the Apostle writes as the commandments of the Lord!!
- Those who refuse are the ignorant ones and will be given up to their ignorance. Leave such alone, don't waste time with them any longer. 
- No more hope is left - they have rejected the very thing (the word of God) which will do them any good.

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Questions

1. What are some rules which govern the public meetings of a church? What can you do to promote these?

 

2. Why are woman 'pastors' so common today? What are some arguments for this disobedience?

    Why have the churches accept them?

 

3. What are the role of women in the church?

 

4. Why 'let the women ask their husband at home?'

 

 

An Exposition of 1Cor. 12-14 Study 6: Tongues are a sign to Unbelievers (14:20-25)

An Exposition of 1Cor. 12-14 
Study 6: Tongues are a sign to Unbelievers (14:20-25)

a. In the last paragraph, apostle Paul lays great emphasis on the mind and understanding. They are absolutely necessary for true edification - building up in the most holy faith. Therefore, tongues must be interpreted so that the hearers can understand and be edified.
- The Corinthian believers are ignorant of this most basic principle in spiritual things. So also are many misled charismatics today. The basic nature of tongues and their purpose are not understood, therefore abused.

b. The new section begins with a gentle rebuke accompanied by an earnest exhortation to grow up:
- "do not be children in understanding": They were childish in their understanding. Despite the fact that they pride themselves in spiritual gifts, they were still childish in their handling of these gifts. They had displayed childishness in estimating the spectacular gifts as more useful than prophecy.
- "in understanding be mature (teleioi)": compare with Eph 4:11ff. In understanding, the Corinthian believers were very deficient - they have yet to understand the basic truth concerning the nature and the purpose of spiritual gifts in general, and the gift of tongues in particular.
- "... however, in malice (kakia) be babes": if you have to be babes, then be babes in your malice, a comprehensive word for evil dispositions. In malice, let us be like the innocent and unscheming babes, in contrast to adults who are crafty, vain, and deceitful.
** See the rebuke upon those who are childish, who are not growing in understanding of God's revealed word!
** See the exhortation to grow up, to be mature in our grasp of sound doctrines and apply them in our lives.

1. Tongues are a Sign for Unbelievers
a. What is a sign?  In the NT Greek, sign (sémeion) means an act or object conveying a recognizable message, and as a token of divine authority or power, or attestation of God's presence among His people.
- Signs (sémeia) are supernatural manifestations of God's activity. The gift of tongues is a sign, divinely bestowed upon certain believers to accomplish the certain definite purpose of God. The word nearly always occurs together with the words 'miracles' and 'wonders'. Check concordance for yourself.
- A biblical sign is always intended to convey a clear message. It has meaning. It can be understood. It always points the hearers to God and His redemptive work in and through Christ.
- Biblical tongues are a sign pointing people to the Saviour. They affirm what God has accomplished in the atoning sacrifice of Christ. cp Acts 2:11. A meaningless sign is a monstrosity. It ceased to be a sign. Whatever the charismatics want to claim for their meaningless gibberish, it can never be a sign.

b. "Tongues are for a sign to unbelievers": not that those who speak in tongues are unbelievers! It does not say, "Tongues are a sign of unbelievers." Nor tongues were exclusively for the benefit of unbelievers. cp 14:5
- Note that a sign is a manifestation of God's power or presence, the sense here is that tongues are a manifestation of God's power or presence, having reference, not to believers, but to unbelievers, those who have not believed yet.
- Prophecy (making known the revealed word of God) is a similar manifestation of God's presence or power, but having reference, not to unbelievers, but to believers (not exclusively, but relatively).
- A sign is really a divine miracle. Imagine the impact upon a foreigner hearing the gospel truth proclaimed to him in his own language by a believer who had never learned the language before. See Acts 2:7. What explained the amazement and astonishment of the hearers! They witnessed a mighty sign - the miraculous manner in which the gospel truth was communicated to them - through tongues which they could understand, but foreign to the speaker.
- It was a spiritual gift to meet the peculiar situation of the early church. The gospel needed to be proclaimed by the Jewish believers to the unbelieving Gentiles of diverse tongues. That peculiar situation made the gift of tongues very necessary in order to spread the gospel to Gentiles of other tongues.
- It was also a sign to 'unbelieving' Jewish believers. For a long while, the Jewish believers were very slow to understand that the gospel is for the whole world, and not just exclusively for the Jews. They did not comprehend the universal significance of Joel's prophecy that was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost.
: on the day of Pentecost the OT church has reached its maturity, its universal dimension!
: the sign of tongues was the most compelling evidence that God is bringing salvation to the Gentiles too! Through this sign, the gospel truth is also revealed to the Gentiles in their very own tongues. Acts 2!

c. "prophesying ... is a sign for those who believe":
- Prophecy is making known the whole revealed truth of God to edify (build up in spiritual maturity - doctrines and practice), to exhort (reproof and correction, and training in righteousness) and to comfort (by reminders of the hope and promises in Christ) believers. cp 2Tim 3:16-17. God speaks to His children in a plain and direct manner. cp Isa 6:9-11; Mk 4:11-12.
- Prophecy is far wider in scope for it declares the whole counsel of God. Tongues, as a sign, is limited and narrow in their scope. They convey primarily the gospel message - 'speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God', ie. the wonderful works of salvation in Jesus Christ.
- But when tongues are interpreted, the gospel message will also edify the believers. cp 14:5.
## When the Word of God is not preached faithfully and plainly, be sure that it is a sin of God's judgment. The famine of the word is a curse and judgment from the Lord.
## Every prosperous period of the Christian church has been marked supremely by the faithful and vigorous preaching of the revealed word of God. God sent His preachers to declare His Word.

2. Unknown Tongues is a Sign of Judgment
a. Their ignorance: This is a solemn truth that the Corinthian believers (who were babes in understanding) did not understand. It never occurred to them that the implications of their thoughtless and childish abuse of the gift of tongues were so serious. Apostle Paul, therefore, quotes a historical case to prove this solemn point.
- Apostle referred to a momentous event in the history of Israel from which they might learn a useful and sobering lesson. The stiff-necked Israelites had refused to hear the prophets of God who spoke to them in their own language. God threatened to bring upon them a people whose language they did not understand as a divine judgment on them.
- When the Israelites were rebellious, God sent foreigners among them as a judgment upon them. When they were obedient, God sent prophets among them, for their edification, exhortation and comfort, cp 14:3.
- Apostle Paul is saying that from the concrete evidence of history, tongues are a sign of judgment upon the unbelieving; prophecy (God's revealed word communicated in plain languages) is for the believing.

b. The purpose of the illustration: It is to show that just as the sending of the Assyrians among the Israelites was a mark of God's displeasure and judgment upon them, so also the speaking of unknown tongues (without interpretation) would be a curse and not a blessing. Real languages were spoken in both situations, but unintelligible to the hearers).
- The Corinthian believers needed to learn that it was certainly no indication of God's favour upon them to have in their midst those who speak in tongues which they could not understand. It is not only a sign of divine judgment, but it is also a cause of much evil. Prophecy alone - declaring the word of God faithfully and intelligibly - is the source of edification, exhortation, and comfort. cp 2Tim 3:16-17.
- The gift of tongues was designed to facilitate the propagation of the gospel, by enabling believers to address unbelievers of various nations and tongues in their own language. When the gift of tongues is used in light of this divine purpose, it brings blessings; but when abused for display and paraded before those who do not understand the language spoken was to turn it a judgment.
** Spiritual ignorance and selfishness can turn a blessing into a judgment!
** Believers do have a divine right to hear a faithful and plain exposition of God's word, a task required of and expected from a messenger of God. cp 1Cor 4:1-2; Col 1:24-29; Eph 4:11ff.
** Unbelief may deprive even professing believers of the spiritual ability to understand the plainest message.
** Unintelligible and unfaithful teachers are a judgment from God. Avoid them like a plague.
** 'Babbling' and 'gibberish' among the charismatics are fearful signs of God's judgment upon them.

c. Standing example to prove the point :
- "Supposing the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues" :  (an exaggerated situation - with absolutely the maximum number of tongues speakers in one place, how very grand! - an exaggeration which will most certainly gratify the boastful and childish Corinthian believers, and similarly the charismatics churches as well!).
- "and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers": a situation all very possible and natural in a place like the city of Corinth. What is the outcome?
- Both the uninformed (those who do not know the tongues spoken) and the unbelievers will say that such a group of tongue speakers are 'insane' - mad and out of their minds, like the prophets of Baal. 1Kg 18
- Supposing in the same situation, but now 'all prophesy'. What is the outcome? Ah, see the happy result.
: any uninformed or unbelieving person in the meeting 'is convinced by all' and 'is convicted by all'.
- 'is convinced by all': elegchõ means to be examined searched into, exposed, reproved.
- 'is convicted by all': anakrinõ means judged, called to account, summoned to answer.

These can only be accomplished when the word of God is made known faithfully and intelligibly. cp Heb 4:12.- It is the word of God prophesied which searches the secrets of an unbeliever's heart and exposes them,  bringing him to repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ. His real character and moral state and divine judgment upon him are made known to him.
** Prophecy (faithfully expounding the revealed word of God) is all-sufficient to save sinners and build up saints. See 1Cor 1:21ff. cp Lk 16:29-31.
** Many resort to gimmicks because they have no more faith in the means ordained by God. cp 2Tim 3:16-17.

 

An Exposition of 1Cor. 12-14 Study 5: Earnestly Desire that You may Prophesy (14:1-19)

 

An Exposition of 1Cor. 12-14  Study 5: Earnestly Desire that You may Prophesy (14:1-19)

a. Chapter 14 picks up the exhortation "but earnestly desire the best gifts" (12:31) after a slight digression in chapter 13. There the apostle Paul lays down some foundational truths directly related to the spiritual problems in the church at Corinth, ie. i. Love (agape) is indispensable, distinct in character, and permanent. All the special revelatory gifts (prophecy, tongues and knowledge) are temporary, confined to the infant stage of the NT church, and were abolished when the revelation of the NT was completed.

b. In chapter 14, the apostle singled out prophecy and tongues for comparison.
- He shows the superiority of the gift of prophecy. However, the gift of tongues (singular gift but plurality of languages) was always more dramatic and spectacular. It attracts awe and attention - despite the fact that the hearers were often not edified. Many crave the gift and those who had the gift often abuse it, for they didn't care whether they edify others or not. cp 14:4 & 12:7.
- They ignored and despised the less dramatic and spectacular but far more excellent gift of prophecy.
# This lust for the dramatic and showy is still everywhere. This is what attracts the childish and the gullible.
# Prophecy (understanding and making known God's word) does not attract believers anymore. Many despise the prophetic ministry of sound doctrine (1Cor 1:21ff) but crave for emotional experiences (2Tim 4:3ff).

c. "Follow after charity (as outlined/defined in 13:4-8), and desire spiritual gifts..."
- Apostle Paul emphasizes the priority of pursuing spiritual love (agape) and the intimate and vital relationship between love and spiritual gifts. Spiritual love will desire spiritual gifts for the edification, exhortation and comfort of other believers in the church body.
- 'follow after-pursue' is in the imperative and an action word: meaning to run after in order to overtake and capture. It requires our active resolve and determination to attain. It is a divine command and ought be obeyed.
- 'and' marries charity and spiritual gifts together. We can't separate the two. What God has joined… True spiritual love will cause a believer to desire to utilize the spiritual gifts (the apostle says, 'and especially that you may prophesy'), not to edify himself (agape is not self-seeking) but that he may be a blessing to others in the body (church).
- 'desire' is a volitional word, the exercise of the will, 'meaning to burn with zeal for something'. Spiritual gifts are sovereignly bestowed, not earned or merited, but believers are commanded to seek from the Lord... We are to seek spiritual gifts from the Lord and earnestly desire the edification, exhortation and comfort of the body of Christ, the church. Most believers don't desire... much less EXERCISE the gifts they have.
# Do you earnestly desire to exercise your gifts?  Many don't care whether they benefit the body of Christ or not!

1. Prophecy Always Edifies the Church
a. 'but covet earnestly the best gifts...but rather that you may prophesy (1)... but rather that ye prophesied... (5)
- by this exhortation, the excellency and superiority of the gift of prophecy is asserted right from the start. This all-important gift was ignored and neglected (all too common today!!) because it was 'normal' in contrast to genuine tongues (the ability to speak languages which you have not learnt before).
- 'Are all prophets?' (12:29) No! Not all are given the special revelatory gift of prophecy - of receiving fresh revelation from God to His people. This special gift was abolished when the special revelation was completed.
- But all believers are exhorted to desire the ordinary spiritual gift to prophesy. 'I would rather…that ye prophesied' is directed to all believers. The spiritual gift of prophecy is the gift of understanding the Scripture and to the ability to communicate the same to others - for 'edification, exhortation and comfort'.

b. 'he that prophesieth speaketh unto men unto edification, and exhortation, an3)d comfort” (v
- 'edification': oikodomè means the act of building up, (oikos - a house, dõme - to build). oikodomè is used only figuratively in the NT to mean the building up of spiritual growth of the church, the house of God.
- exhortation: paraklèsin means calling alongside, (para - alongside, kaleõ - to call) a person to urge him to pursue some course of conduct, ie. to turn from ungodliness and to pursue godliness. Exhortation is always prospective, looking to the way ahead of us, in contrast to comfort, which is retrospective, having to do with trials experienced.
- 'comfort': paramuthion denotes a heart-to-heart talk to a person, (para - alongside, muthos - consolation), ie. to console or comfort with tenderness a person who faces trials.
* All these are brought about by means of prophecy - the spiritual truth communicated to and understood by the hearers. God's revealed truth (the word of God) alone can accomplish all these. There is no substitute! Mt 4:4
* The excellency and superiority of the gift of prophecy - it effects and achieves all these. cp 2Tim 3:16-17.
* He who prophesies edifies the church - the whole body is built up. This is love indeed!! cp 14:12.

2. Tongues Do not Edify Unless Interpreted
a. 'he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret...' (5): some evil implications of this practice is listed.
- 'speaketh not unto men...' : why? because what was spoken was not intelligible to the hearers. No one understands him, not because the content was nonsense or mysterious, but because the medium (foreign tongues) through which the truth of God is conveyed is not intelligible. What an insult
- This is a stern rebuke upon a most serious failure. The gift was given in order to declare God's revealed truth to men. The exact opposite was the result of the abuse of the gift of tongues! Hearers in their right mind ought to be offended because they were treated with contempt - not spoken to or edified. Addressing you in an unknown
- 'speaketh to God...': a true statement but a statement of rebuke and ridicule. God gave the gift of tongues so that the gospel truths may be spoken to men, but the abuser of the gift ended up speaking to God! Crazy and foolish
- 'howbeit in the spirit, he speaketh mysteries...': indeed, a person who has the gift of tongues speaks the gospel truth revealed to him. He does not speak gibberish nonsense (as is the case with charismatics!).
- 'Mysteries' in the Bible refer to the secret purposes of God relating to the redemption of His people.  Rm 16:25-27; 1Cor 2:7, 4:1; Eph 3:9, 6:19; 1Tim 3:9; Col 1:25-27, etc. Cp with an exposition on 13:2. Beware of wild interpretation with equate 'mysteries' with gibberish nonsense.
- 'edifieth himself...': also a true statement but a statement of rebuke. The believer who spoke in a tongue was truly edified by the gospel truth revealed to him in a tongue, but he alone was edified by the truth.
: the apostle was rebuking the selfishness and abuse of the gift. Note the contrast in 14:4. cp 12:7 and 14:12.
: he who spoke in a tongue did edify himself... therefore he understood what was revealed to him.
- 'speak into the air' (9): not to the hearers but vainly and foolishly into the air, not achieving the purpose.
- 'will be a barbarian to me': a barbarian is a foreigner to me not because he makes senseless gibberish but speaks in a real language, but in a language which does not make any sense to me because I don't know the language!
- 'his understanding is unfruitful': not because he does not understand what was revealed to him through tongues, but because his understanding of the truth revealed to him does not benefit or edify others in the body.

b. Three examples to prove the point:
- Their experience with apostle Paul: Paul spoke with tongues more than all the Corinthian believers(v18). But what was their experience when Paul was with them?  With the believers, 'yet in the church' (14:19) it was always either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophecy or by teaching that apostle Paul edified/profited them. It was never with tongues - because 'tongues are for a sign to unbelievers' (more of this next study).
- The lifeless musical instruments: the obvious purpose of this illustration is the necessity to make a sound which can be distinguished and understood. Unless they make distinct sounds, they cannot be understood.
- The many kinds of languages spoken by foreigners: all foreigners speak real languages of their own... none of them is without meaning, unintelligible. They can all be understood - through interpretation.
# Therefore always speak the truth in order to be understood, that the hearers may be edified.

3. Some Applications
a. In light of what has been said, apostle Paul draws out some applications, 'Wherefore...' 14:13ff.
- 'let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret... that his understanding may not be unfruitful': Without interpretation, his understanding of the truth revealed to him will not edify others. Believers must cease to be unfruitful - but benefit other believers with the good gifts received from the Lord. cp 14;17.
- 'I will also pray (sing) with the spirit... and I will also pray (sing) with the understanding...'
- 'you are zealous for spiritual gifts...  seek to excel with the same zeal (even so) zeal for the edification of the church.' Seek to edify the church, not just your selfish interest, if indeed you belong to the body.
- 'how will he... say "amen" since he does not understand what you say?': without the exercise of the mind and understanding to grasp the revealed truth of God, there can be no true fellowship. True fellowship is always built upon the revealed truth. The Spirit of truth will draw God's people together with the truth.
- A lesson about saying “amen” – expressing agreement and fellowship.
- 'I would rather speak ... with my understanding that I may teach other also...' : without the use of mind and understanding no revealed truth can be imparted nor received.
* No understanding, no edification! Spiritual truth is the basic building block for spiritual edification. Without it, there may be lots of superstition and religiosity, but no true spirituality. Eph 4:11-24.

 Conclusions
a. Prophecy is the best gift because it edifies the church. It speaks plainly to build up the believers in the truth of God... to exhort believers to shun evil ways and to live godly and righteously... to comfort believers in their trails, to encourage them to persevere in their race to heaven.
- the charismatics and many professing believers today despise the objective revealed truth of God and its proclamation. Their attention is upon 'childish things' (13:11) which God has abolished.

b. Understanding of the revealed truth is indispensable for spiritual edification - spiritual growth in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Emotionalism and sensationalism do make people feel 'giddy' but they do not edify, or build them up in the most holy faith, Jude 20.

c. To dispense with the proper use of the faculty of mind and understanding is the most satanic delusion of our  time. When the mind is indifferent to the revealed truth, it will begin to believe anything the devil wants it to believe. This explains the most bizarre and crazy things happening among the charismatics.

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Questions

1. 'Without understanding the revealed truth of God, there can be no true edification.' Discuss.

2. What is the connection between 1Cor 14:15 and John 4:24?

3. Does a person who speaks in a tongue understand what is being spoken? Prove.

4. Apostle Pail laid great emphasis upon edification with knowing and understanding the revealed truth. Why?

5. What are some practical implications of 14:15 for public worship?

6. Why does God give a believer a sound mind? 2Tim 1:7.

7. What is it to be 'renewed in the spirit of your mind'? Eph 4:23.

An Exposition of 1Cor. 12-14 Study 4: What is ‘that which is perfect has come’? (13:8-13)

An Exposition of 1Cor. 12-14

Study 4: What is ‘that which is perfect has come’? (13:8-13)

Introduction

a. At the end of chapter 12 Paul says he is going to show us a more excellent way. In doing so, he turns our mind away from the special spiritual gifts and focuses our attention upon a supreme spiritual grace - agape.

- In 13:1-8a, the apostle Paul reminds us three important things about agape - a love that is patterned after God's love for us in Christ - love is indispensable, love has distinct character, and love is permanent.

- Love never fails! This abiding love is then contrasted with the spiritual gifts that the Corinthian believers are obsessed with. These spiritual gifts are all temporary - they will fail, they will be abolished. When?

b. Apostle Paul states categorically that these gifts (prophecy, tongues, and knowledge) will fail, cease. etc.

- Note that these gifts belong to a common category. That is why they are mentioned together. These are special revelatory gifts that have to do with the revelation of God's word.

- The certainty that they will fail is indisputable: 'shall fail', 'shall cease', and ‘shall vanish away'.

- The time, though clearly stated, as "when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away" - is the sore point of dispute.

- Our task is to understand this passage before us with three basic rules of interpretation: There is no contradiction in God’s word; the text must be seen in its context, and Scripture itself must interpret Scripture.

- What is "that which is perfect" and has "that which is perfect" come?  Let the Scripture speaks for itself.

## He who interprets the Scripture without taking its meaning from the Scripture does violence to the Scripture.

1. Some General Observations

a. Verse 9 and 10 constitute one sentence in the Greek text. This means that the subject (the matter under consideration) of the two verses is the same. They are speaking of the same thing.

- The same basic thing is being compared. It was in part (incomplete) at the time when the epistle was written, but it will become complete (perfect) sometime in the future, future with respect to Apostle Paul.

- The subject of the "in part" in verse 9 is about the special revelatory gifts of prophecy and knowledge. This is the subject throughout the one sentence in verses 9-10.

- The mention of the special revelatory gifts of knowledge and prophecy would automatically include "tongues" since it is in the same category and is listed between the other two that are mentioned.

- "that which is perfect" (to teleion) is neuter (ie. not masculine or feminine). It means 'the completed thing'.

- "that which is in part" (merous - plural of meros) is also neuter. It means parts of a completed whole.

* The subject is a neuter thing. It cannot possibly refer to Jesus Christ (masculine) or heaven (masculine).

 

b. "shall be done away" is katargethesetai - third person future passive indicative of katargeo, meaning 'to abolish, to destroy, to bring to an end. Apostle Paul was inspired to use this very strong word to express the cessation of these gifts.  This word implies that the abolishment of the gifts was to be a complete obliteration beyond recall, abolished such that they will never be revived again, destroyed, and never to be seen again.

2. 'That which is Perfect'

a. 'to teleion' - an adjective in its various gender - masculine (teleios), feminine (teleia), neuter (teleion) is used 18 times in the whole of NT. In all its usage, to teleion is never once used to describe Jesus Christ, or heaven, or the second coming of Christ - the common but erroneous interpretations insisted by the charismatics and some others. The plain meaning of the text excludes these baseless interpretations.

- Kindly check for yourself the 18 occurrences in these passages:  Mt 5:28 (2x), 19:21; Rm 12:2; 1Cor 2:6, 13:10, 14:20; Eph  4:13;  Phil 3:15; Col  1:28, 4:12;  Heb 5:14, 9:11; Ja 1:4 (2x), 1:25, 3:2; 1Jn 4:18.

 b. 'to teleion' means "having reached its end or destination, i.e. finished, complete, perfect."

- It is used of persons, primarily of physical development, with its ethical import. eg 1Cor 2;6, 14:20.

- It is used of things, referring to its completeness. eg Rm 12:2; Ja 1:4,25.

- In 1Cor 13:10, it refers "to the complete revelation of God's will and ways..." (Vine)

- At the time the epistle was written, 'that which is perfect' was only in a state of merous - only partial and incomplete. But this partial and incomplete thing was in the process of being made whole and brought to completion/completeness.  Can this be a reference to Christ or heaven? Can there ever be a Christ or heaven in a partial state progressing towards completion??????? Is Christ or heaven ever in a state of progress???????

- This is a plain and simple description of the progression of the revelation of God. The revelation of God was given progressively (in clarity) and cumulatively (in quantity) until it was completed. The revelation of God was in the process of coming to perfection/completion by the completing of the Holy Scripture. Rev 22:18-

c. "we know in part and we prophesy in part" :

- before "that which is perfect has come", this is the manner of God's revelation. The complete Bible did not drop down from heaven. Nor was it given in parts through just one prophet. It was given in many parts (installments) through many different prophets. cp Heb 1:1. So also was the NT scripture. No one had complete knowledge; each was given a part of the divine revelation. Combined together, they will finally have a complete/perfect whole.

- When apostle Paul was writing the epistle to the Corinthian believers, the OT Scripture was already completed, but the NT Scripture was being revealed. It was also given progressively and cumulatively, given in parts through various different people, Apostle Paul being one of them. All of them could only know in part and prophesy in part.

- But once "that which is perfect has come" - once we have the completed revelation of God inscripturated, then the completed revelation of God has come. That which is perfect has come. Knowing in part and prophesying in part have fulfilled their divine purposes. 

- The part-ial manner of revelation, in the process of time, has brought in the completed manner of revelation - the completed Holy Scripture. cp 2Tim 3:16-17.

- When the partial has served its purpose of bringing in the completed, the partial is abolished forever.

d. This truth of the revelation of God is described elsewhere in a similar way:

- 2Tim 3:15-17: "... The Holy Scriptures... all Scripture is God-breathed... that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." The completeness of the Scripture is emphasized. 

- Ja 1:21-25: "... the implanted word... be doers of the word and not hearers only... he who looks into the teleion law of liberty..." All these refer to the revealed word of God.

* When Scripture interprets Scripture, we find that the revelation of God is described as that which is perfect and completed. When the full revelation has come with the completed Scripture, the special revelatory gifts (knowledge, tongues, and prophecy), which revealed in part are no longer needed, and are abolished.

e. "And now abide faith, hope, love...": even when Paul was writing this letter to the Corinthians believers, he could see that the abolition of the special revelatory gifts mentions in verse 8 was so certain and soon afterward. These special revelatory gifts were confined to the beginning stage of the gospel age. When all has been revealed, those revelatory means ordained by God is no longer needed, and they are abolished.

- As early as AD 57 (about the time 1Cor. was written) Paul already foretold in the plainest term that these special revelatory gifts shall cease. As far as Paul is concerned, what will abide throughout the gospel age are these three - faith, hope and love, not the special revelatory gifts.

3. The Three Illustrations

a. Note carefully the singular purpose of these illustrations: to contrast the partial with the complete, to contrast the passing away of the partial with the permanence of that which is complete. To press them beyond their intended purpose is to do violence to the purpose, the text, and also to the context. Bear this principle in mind as you try to understand the illustrations.

b. "When I was a child...": the picture of a child growing up into maturity. The partial/incomplete state of childhood is contrasted to the relatively mature state of adulthood. State of childhood is equivalent to "that which is in part".  The childhood state about many things are partial, not complete – relatively speaking.

- So when the complete (adulthood) way of revelation has come, the partial (childhood) ways of revelation (knowledge, tongues, and prophecy) were abolished. Childhood must give way to adulthood. What is progressive and cumulative must come to completion, arriving at maturity.

- 'When I became a man, I put away childish things' – childish things are things suitable and appropriate for the childhood stage. The childish things refer to the special revelatory gifts for the apostolic church – the church at its infant stage. They are put away (abolished) when the complete revelation of God was committed to the church.

- The partial means (knowledge, tongues, and prophecy) must give way to the complete (the Holy Scripture).

- Despising the complete and all-sufficient Holy Scripture, the charismatics are returning to childish things... they are regressing, going backward, refusing to grow up, reverting to childhood days.

c. "For now we see in a mirror...": remember that mirror was made of highly polished metal plate, and therefore its reflection at its best is only partial and incomplete - "dimly". This is contrasted with "to see face to face."

- Try looking at a person's face in a polished metal plate and then looking at him, face to face. See the vast difference! In one you see partially, in the other you see completely, pimples and dimples and wrinkles and all. 

- "face to face": what does this phrase mean, meeting Christ at His return? When we see Christ in heaven?

- This same phrase is used in Ex 33:11& Num 12:8. Note carefully the context in which this phrase occurs. In both passages, this phrase is used to describe the manner that God revealed Himself to Moses. It is a comparison of the types of revelation, both infallible, but one in part, the other in whole. cp Heb 1:1

- It is obvious that this phrase describes something on earth, not in heaven! It is about the giving and receiving of divine revelation, nothing to do with heaven or meeting with Christ or Christ's return.

d  "... shall I know even as also I am known": a rabbinic illustration of a man sitting in a brightly lit room in a complete view of a visitor coming into the room. The visitor can see him clearly in the bright room, but when the visitor comes into the room, the man shall ‘know’ the visitor just as he is ‘known’ by the visitor, because they now see face to face in the bright room.

e. Historically, the special revelatory gifts of prophecy and knowledge stopped, and tongues ceased, (as foretold by the apostle Paul in verse 8) at the completion of the Bible toward the end of the first century AD.

- Many are deluded in claiming that these signs of the apostles continue today!

- Many are deluded in claiming that there is a connection between revelatory gifts and spirituality.

 

An Exposition of 1Cor. 12-14 - Study 3: Spiritual gifts without love are worthless (13:1-8)

Study 3: Spiritual gifts without love are worthless (13:1-8)

a. At the end of chapter 12 Paul says he is going to show us a more excellent way. In doing so, he turns our mind away from the special spiritual gifts and focuses our attention upon a supreme spiritual grace - agape.
- In 13:1-8a, the apostle Paul reminds us three important things about agape - a love that is patterned after God's love for us in Christ - love is indispensable, love has a distinct character, and love is permanent.
- Love never fails! This abiding love is then contrasted with the spiritual gifts that the Corinthian believers are obsessed with. These spiritual gifts are all temporary - they will fail, and they will be abolished.

b. This chapter is found right in the middle of Paul’s three chapters of instructions for the right use of spiritual gifts (12-14). Its location is not an accident, and it should greatly affect its interpretation, for the context will give us the overall lesson.
- The church at Corinth had major problems with division (1:10; 11:18; 12:25), strife (1:11; 3:3), and glorying in their spiritual gifts (1:4-7; 8:1; 12:12-30; 14:12,26). Paul included this instruction about love to correct these deficiencies.
- He used chapter 12 to teach the importance of unity, and he used chapter 14 to teach the specific regulations for exercising the gifts. It is the teaching of love as the more excellent way of serving Christ Paul used here to correct selfish conduct in exercising the gift. At the conclusion of chapter 12, Paul wisely appealed to the Corinthians to fervently desire better spiritual gifts and to pursue a way of serving Christ that was better than any spiritual gift, including the gift of being an apostle (12:31)!
- We learn that love is superior to spiritual gifts by nature (1-3), by definition (4-7), and by permanence (8-13).
- Spiritual gifts without the excellent grace of love are worthless (1-3)
- Love as defined by God is the greatest inter-personal grace (4-7)
- Love is the enduring permanent grace for all to seek (8-13)

1. Spiritual gifts without the grace of love are worthless (1-3)
a. Speaking in tongues without loving one another is nothing but a very irritating noise.
- The tongues of men are the various languages of mankind (Gen 10:20; John 5:2; Acts 2:5-8).
- The tongues of angels is a hyperbole, exaggerating the gift of tongues to exalt love more. Tongues are specific languages, not merely babbling of any sort. Hyperbole is an obvious exaggeration that the reader understands to make a strong point. There is no Bible basis for a specific language of angels that could be spoken by men.
- The tongues of angels would not be a spiritual gift, for it would not edify or confirm men. This hyperbole cannot justify the barbarian babbling and gibberish of today’s false tongues.
- Paul began with tongues because the church at Corinth was overly infatuated with this gift. Paul will deal with tongues in detail in the next chapter, though ranking it last (12:28). Paul ranked the gift of tongues last, even after the gifts of “helps.”

b. Charity in this chapter is practical love of one toward another, as carefully defined (13:4-7).
- The best measure of the grace of God is to love the brethren (John 13:35; I John 4:7). The love here is not the love of God, but rather the love of saints, which is your calling.
- Any gift of tongues, no matter how incredibly glorious, was an irritating noise without love. By this comparison, Paul elevated brother love over the gift of choice of the Corinthians. Neither God nor men care what spiritual gift you have if you cannot love other saints. Spiritual gifts were given to benefit others, but what benefit are they from selfish people? Sounding brass might be a military bugle, and a tinkling cymbal is merely another vain noise.

c. Prophecy, wisdom, knowledge, and faith without loving one another leave a man nothing.
- The gift of prophecy was the ability to understand and communicate the will of God by inspiration (14:29-32).
- The gift of wisdom was the ability to understand all mysteries by direct inspiration (12:8).
- The gift of knowledge was the ability to know things of God by direct inspiration (12:8).
- The gift of faith was the special ability to believe in God for great future miracles (12:9).
- These gifts are exaggerated beyond their reality to make a greater appeal for charity.
- The gift of prophecy did not include total knowledge on any subject (13:9; 14:29-32).
- Faith to move mountains is another hyperbole, and it is figurative (Matt 17:20; 21:21).
- Charity in this chapter is practical love one toward another, as carefully defined (13:4-7).
- Any of the revelatory gifts, no matter how extensive, were worthless for a man without love.
-Though the church was built on the prophets, lacking love reduced them to nothing.
- The revelatory gifts were very important and useful in communicating God’s will.
- A church that prides itself on doctrine without love is nothing (Acts 2:42-47; I Cor 8:1-3).

d. Even charitable giving and martyrdom without loving one another is totally profitless.
- The incredible contrast between outward charity and the true love of others is shown here.
- Men can easily have false motives for outward actions (Ps 144:7-8; Pr 21:4; 26:24-26).
- For example, giving some financial help to another person is much easier than actually loving them.
- Bearing patiently with irritating idiosyncrasies and conduct is much more difficult. Love is required!
- Again, extreme descriptions are made of giving and suffering to make a great appeal for love. A literary tool.
- We tend to think giving your goods to feed the poor is a glorious act of Christian charity.
- We imagine giving your body to fire, as a martyr, is a great act of Christian devotion.
- Charity in this chapter is the practical love of one toward another, as carefully defined (13:4-7). Any of these great acts of external giving and suffering are worthless without practical love. God is not pleased by a man giving much money and dying as a martyr if he cannot love.

2. God’s definition of love is the most perfect cure for all relational problems. v4
a. Charity in this chapter is the practical love of one toward another in godly interpersonal relationships.
- Love will suffer, enduring the pain of irritations and offences by its object, for a long time.
- Love is benevolent, courteous, and good in all its thoughts and actions toward its object.
- Love does not envy another person for superior advantages of abilities or circumstances.
- Love does not put itself forward in the presence of others due to any presumed superiority.
- Love does not have a puffed mental arrogance or haughtiness about presumed superiority.

b. God’s own definition of love is the perfect cure for all relational problems. v5
- Charity in this chapter is the practical love of one toward another in godly interpersonal relationships.
- Love always acts in a courteous, conventional, decorous, and appropriate way at all times.
- Love is not selfish in pursuing its own ambitions and preferences over those of others.
- Love does not get offended or angry with others easily, no matter what the offences by them.
- Love thinks the best of others’ actions and does not evilly surmise that they intended wrong.
- For a detailed explanation and practical application of these phrases, see the outline below.

c. God’s inspired definition of love is the most perfect cure for all relational problems. v6
- Love is grieved when it sees its object in error and does all it can to help get them right again.
- Love is happy when it sees its object doing everything right and growing in righteousness.
- The depravity of the soul is seen at internal gloating at the sins and punishment of others.

d. God’s inspired definition of love is the most perfect cure for all relational problems. v7
- Love bears all the burdens and offences of others without getting angry or bitter at them.
- Love believes the best about others, even when there is suspicion of insincerity or evil.
- Love hopes the best for others, even when there is not enough evidence to believe them.
- Love endures repeated irritations and offences of others and does not wear out and give up.
- You have just read the finest sentence in any language about the greatest subject of all; yes, v4-7 is just one sentence, on just one same subject – charity, the more excellent way.

3. Love is the enduring permanent grace, the spiritual gifts at Corinth were soon to disappear.
a. The emphasis on love here is not that it always works, but rather that it will always be in use.
- The “never faileth” of charity is contrasted to prophecies failing, tongues ceasing, and knowledge vanishing away. We know Paul is arguing about the permanence and continuance of charity!
- The spiritual graces, faith, hope, and charity – the fruit of the Spirit worked by indwelling Spirit - abide; they will not fail, as the spiritual gifts will all fail (13:13).
- Prophecies, tongues, and knowledge were to come to an end, which was in contrast to love. Prophecies would not fail in the sense of predictions not coming to pass as foretold, for the prophecies of every prophet of God always came to pass without exception. Prophecies would fail in the sense the temporary gift will end (14:29-32).
- Speaking in tongues, or foreign languages, as a supernatural sign gift would also end.
- Knowledge vanishing away was not in the sense of all men becoming senile or ignorant, but rather the temporary gift of supernatural knowledge would come to an end (12:8).
- The spiritual gifts Corinth loved were only temporary; the charity that God loved was permanent.

b. The apostolic sign gifts and revelatory gifts were temporary gifts to help build the early apostolic church God promised by covenant to do marvellous things in Israel for 40 years (Micah 7:14-20).
- God gave the gifts to the apostles which were fulfilled (Mark 16:17-20).
- The three gifts mentioned are simply examples of all the miraculous gifts going away.
- Paul lost his power to heal by the time he wrote his epistles to Timothy (I Tim 5:23); he left a minister sick (II Tim 4:20), though he had once used handkerchiefs (Acts 19:12).
- Paul taught Timothy to study, which was not necessary if the special gifts of wisdom and knowledge continued.
- In the three Pastoral Epistles there is not a word about any miraculous gifts of any kind.
- There have not been any consistent spiritual gifts since 70AD provable by any church.
- The gifts claimed by Charismatics are hilarious caricatures of the power of the apostles.
- They are just fables at best, demonic delusion at worse.