Before we begin our study in chapter 14 today, we need to understand that the word “unknown” is not in the manuscripts neither should be read as so. Tongues simply means languages. We are talking about having a language that you were not born with, but acquired later as you grew up. We just studied not long ago about how the Lord gives “Gifts”. Some to prophesy, some to speak other languages, and some to translate. To speak other languages allows one to go abroad to other countries and spread the Gospel of Christ. An awesome gift from God. To interpret is to translate someone who doesn’t know the local language to those that are there to listen to God’s word. All are gifts and blessings of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 14 and verse 1 reads.
1Cor.14:1] Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
Learn God’s word good enough to teach others. What is freely given by God to you, freely give to others.
1Cor.14:2] 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.
[3] But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
Don’t speak babble, speak only the truth. Doing so edifies the church and God.
1Cor.14:4] He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
Learning another language edifies you, but teaching edifies the church.
1Cor.14:5] 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.
The interpreter edifies the church also.
1Cor.14:6] 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?
[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?
[8] For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
[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.
If they don’t understand what you’re saying how will they know when to say “Amen”.
1Cor.14:10] There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
[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.
[12] Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
How can we make an unbeliever believe if he can’t understand us. Seek to edify the church and not yourself.
1Cor.14:13] Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
[14] For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
[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.
[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?
[17] For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
[18] I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
Paul spoke more languages than any other. He was also a scholar among scholars having studied at the feet of Gamaliel.
1Cor.14:19] 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.
[20] Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
Malice is ignorance, unlearned. Understanding brings on maturity. Milk and meat of God’s word.
1Cor.14:21] 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.
Written in Isaiah 28:11-12, let us go there and it reads.
Isa.28:11] For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
[12] To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
Back to 1Cor.14 and verse 22 reads.
1Cor.14:22] 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.
A sign given to the unbelievers is someone that speaks in their language from another country. But prophesying, teaching, is for the believers. Both are gifts given by God for the edifying of the church and his word.
1Cor.14:23] 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?
If you find a church where all speaking babble and not the word of God, will you also call them mad? Of coarse you would, this is why certain churches who misunderstand the Word of God makes fools of themselves. Acts chapter 2 tells us that when the Holy Spirit spoke through them on Pentecost day, all heard it in their languages in which they were born. Only the Holy Spirit can do this.
1Cor.14:24] 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:
Remember prophesying is for the believer.
1Cor.14:25] 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.
But if the Spirit of God touches him, then the Lord God edifies himself.
1Cor.14:26] How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, everyone 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 is done for the church and not for one man.
1Cor.14:27] 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.
When you go out to teach the gospel don’t have too many people teaching at one time, it gets boring very quickly.
1Cor.14:28] 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.
Best to keep quiet. Many can teach, but let only one interpret.
1Cor.14:30] If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
[31] For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
[32] And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
[33] For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Don’t listen to babble, if they babble then they are not of God. The saints are “set aside ones”, the Elect.
1Cor.14:34] 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.
[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.
Silence is “Chatter” and it pertains to both men and women. You will need a Greens Interlinear Bible to find the correct translation. These are the Greek and Hebrew manuscripts I use to check the Word of God. In other words, no one should be chattering in the church when God’s word is being taught. Do not think God doesn’t have a place for women to teach. Joel 2:28-29 reads.
Joel 2:28] And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
[29] And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
This is talking about in these end times, both men and women will prophesy, Teach. Back to 1Cor.14 and verse 36 reads.
1Cor.14:36] What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
[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.
It is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God that is to be taught.
1Cor.14:38] But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
If a man wants to be unlearned then let him be unlearned. Some we can’t help.
1Cor.14:39] Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
Covet is desire, if you desire to teach then teach. And forbid not any to interpret what you have taught. This means what you have taught in another language to those who don’t understand what you have said. This does not mean that any can have their own interpretation of what you have taught.
1Cor.14:40] Let all things be done decently and in order.
We teach to edify the church and the LORD, and with discipline we keep the house of the Lord in peace. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible