1 Corinthians 14
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
Without true love for others within your heart, any chance of you having the gifts to teach God's Word in Truth will be watered down. Only true love will have the gift of Truth through The Holy Spirit.
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.
If I went to Africa where not one person understood me, the only one that would is God Himself. You need to take a translator or all you're doing is causing confusion for those around you. How else will they understand you?
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
The Word of God does that when you're doing your part to teach it in the way in which it is written. It helps our faith grow, inspires, comforts and strengthens us.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
If those listening understand the language you're speaking in the church, then does that church become built up or edified in Truth. If they don't understand you, it's just you.
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.
Paul says it would be great if everyone could speak as many languages as he can, but he would rather have them be great teachers of God's Word in their own language than not be teaching at all knowing many languages.
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?
What good would it be if Paul came speaking with great wisdom, with the knowledge of Truth in a language none of them understood. None!
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?
Without speaking in their language, you're just like a mix of sound arranged improperly. Nothing makes sense and is a waste of time.
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
There is a definite sound arrangement from the trumpet when the battle call is sounded. If it doesn't sound just like that, they don't know it's time to go to war.
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.
It's simple, speak their language or they can't understand what's being said and if they don't understand, then you're speaking to the air.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
There is no language on the face of the planet that is without meaning to the one that speaks that language.
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.
barbarian, Greek word, βάρβαρος bárbaros, bar'-bar-os; of uncertain derivation; a foreigner (i.e. non-Greek):—barbarian(-rous). If you speak as a barbarian, it's a strange language which is not understood by any other.
12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
If you don't speak their language, make sure to have an interpreter.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
Pray the interpreter is interpreting correctly.
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
Gibber gabber is of no benefit to anyone, including yourself, even if it's just a thought. This "speaking in tongues" stuff the "holy rollers" have come up with is nothing but a demonic show for themselves. The Word of God is clear.
15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
In your words or in your thoughts, you must understand what you're saying or thinking. If you don't, you're putting on a evil show for yourself.
16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
אָמֵן Amen, aw-mane'; from H539; sure; abstract, faithfulness; adverb, truly:—Amen, [so be it], truth. If you're teaching them God's Truth and they don't understand your language, how are they going to know when to say "Amen"
17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
It might be good and words of thanks, but if they don't understand what you're saying it has no meaning to them. It doesn't help them to understand a thing.
18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
Paul knows the fact he can speak other languages is a gift from God that He gave him the ability to learn them.
19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
It's clear Paul would rather say five words that are known to them, then a bunch of words that have no meaning.
20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
"howbeit in malice" is they can't grasp what's being said. You talk to a person in a way they might understand what you're saying. A child needs milk, a way of how they could understand and an adult needs meat, in the way they understand. You can't give a child meat & they walk away filled, it won't make it into their mind at all. They'll close you out when you start.
21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
Paul is talking about what Isaiah is saying here: Isaiah 28:9-11 9 Whom shall He teach knowledge? and whom shall He make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. 10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: 11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people. These so called pastors speak unintelligibly when they go out preaching. They could care less about the true meaning and context of what's being said. If you call yourself a Pastor, then teach The whole thing. Take the time to study and know what it is you're feeding the flock. Take the time to know who it is you're talking to.
22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
The day will come when that "cloven tongue" spoken on Pentecost day will be spoken again, where everyone that hears will understand in the language or dialect from where they were born. A good translator will express what's being said as clearly as it was spoken, where everyone of that language understands clearly.
23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
This is why those churches that have made a religion of tongue speaking gibberish is looked at as nuts. It is! Only a known language should be spoken and if someone is speaking in a country that isn't their language, they should have an interpreter speak next to them as so all can have an understanding of what's being said.
24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
If everyone is teaching and a new person comes in, they will be looked at as someone that may teach or be taught. God's Truth spreads only to them that listen.
25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
A conviction of the heart. Once you hear and accept God's Truth, your soul changes. The Holy Spirit baptized you and opened your eyes and ears to Him.
26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
All our gifts together make up the body, but every gift is to be in order of it's giving so they don't cause confusion.
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
This way the one speaking can't be misquoted. If there's two or three interpreters, then there's less likely to be dishonesty in it's interpretation.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
More than one teacher, but only one speaking at a time. If everyone is talking at the same time, the people can't judge what's being said. It will be too confusing, causing lies and traditions to be inserted instead of God's Truth. This is in an open group study, not a church service where everyone is gathered to hear the Pastor.
30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
Don't interrupt when a thought enters the mind. Wait your turn.
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
Everyone's points of view can be heard and by that help someone in the room that understands their comment better than another person's example. Again, a group study.
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
There will be unity in what's being said. One of the same mind. 1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.
*Don't shut this study down yet, first let's look at the women in The Word and their roles. Women can teach just as men can teach [if] they both have that veil or covering which is Christ over them. Are you not the bride of Christ even if you're a male? Let's take a look at some very important women in God's Word.
Women of The Bible:
Deborah: Deborah the Prophetess: Deborah, in the Bible, prophetess and judge of Israel, the only woman to hold that office. Under her guidance Barak conquered Sisera and delivered Israel from the oppression of the Canaanite King Yavin. Deborah served as Israel's Judge when no men were willing to lead. The triumphant "Song of Deborah" is one of the most ancient literary pieces in the Bible. The story of Deborah is found in the Judges Chapters 4-5. After 20 years of oppression, God told Deborah that it was time to deliver the people once again. She appointed Barak to lead the army, but he was afraid to go without Deborah. She had deep faith in God. She united the people of Israel and lead them to victory against the Canaanites. Deborah the Judge: Deborah used to sit under a palm tree and the people used to come to her for judgment. It was improper for a woman to be alone in a house with a man. So she went outside and sat down in a public place under a palm tree where she instructed the people in Torah; first five Books of The Bible, first part of The Old Testament. Deborah is one of only five women in the Bible called a "prophet". During Deborah's time, the valley in which she and her tribe lived was controlled by King Yavin of Hazor. Deborah asked Barak to take ten thousand soldiers and fight against Sisera on Mount Tabor. Judges 4:6-9 6 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? 7 And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand. 8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go. 9 And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh. Deborah warned Barak that she would be remembered as the real leader. This prophecy was accurate as Sisera met his end at the hands of a woman named Jael and Deborah was considered to be the real leader of the people. The following is known as "Deborah's Song": Judges 5:24-27 24 Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent. 25 He asked water, and she gave him milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish. 26 She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen's hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temples. 27 At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down: at her feet he bowed, he fell: where he bowed, there he fell down dead.
Other Women: Romans 16:1-7, 12 and 13 1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: Pheba is a women and leader of the church in her area. 2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. “succourer” = she was the teacher. 3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: “Priscilla and Aquila” = also helped Paul in spreading God’s word. 4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus,who is the firstfruitsof Achaia unto Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. 7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. “Junia” the wife of “Andronicus”, both being teachers of God’s Word were apostles before Paul. 12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord." Both “Tryphena and Tryphosa” whom where twins along with “Persis” which is a woman’s name in Persia. These three women served our Father in teaching God’s word. 13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. “his mother and mine”! Two more woman chosen of God. Continue to read Romans 16 for more praise of them and warnings to evil. Don’t ever let someone tell you women can’t preach. They lack understanding in one verse they use. 1 Cor. 14:34 where the words “keep silence” = chatter. No one should be talking when they are being shown God’s Word. The bible says “men and man” all throughout His word. Do you really think it is just speaking the Male? NO! It’s to everyone!! Acts 21:9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. That's right folks! They taught The Word of God. So many are ignorant of The Word today when they say, "A woman is to be silent in the church." Luke 2:36 And there was on Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of the great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; What this is saying is that Anna was a very old prophetess, that lived with her husband seven years and he died. I hope you caught that she was a prophetess, a teacher of the Word of God. She was a preacher. Luke 2:37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. Anna was a faithful woman, about eighty four years old, and she continued daily in prayer night and day. She lived within the temple all her life, from the time her husband died. Luke 2:38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. Many preachers today would not like this Anna, for she "spake" of Christ, she preached of Christ to all that would listen to her. Anna was the first person in the Jerusalem that went out into the streets and preached the Gospel of Christ. She told them that the Christ child was here, and redemption was at hand. Just because Paul told women not to chatter in church, the men folk tried to shut them up completely. Paul also told the men to sit still and pay attention, but they liked to overlook that. We are to have order in our churches, and gossip and busy jaws are not right in a church service. It's not right for anyone to chatter in church when God's Word is being taught.
Back to our Chapter study in Corinthians:
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
"Speaking" during the lesson is what this is talking about. Everyone should be silent when the Pastor is teaching. We are all the bride of Christ and we should all be silent when The Word is preached.
36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
Of course not, this church in Corinth was started by Paul, Christ Jesus is The foundation in which it was built.
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
Everything Paul has said came from our Father. If they say they're a Pastor, their words should line with God's Truth just as Paul's does.
38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
You want to ignore The Truth, have at it, go your way and reap what's to come of it.
39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
Teach God's Word, but do it correctly. If a interpreter is needed, make sure there is one there.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
In honesty and love, God's Way.