August 22 - 1 Corinthians 14:18-40 - Tongue-Tied

Do you ever find yourself in a group having a conversation when the discussion veers off into a subject you really would rather not talk about? Worse yet, somebody turns to you and asks a direct, probing question about the topic! You’re not sure how you want to respond and so you stutter and stammer, “Umm, yes, well, I, uhh, you see…” Tongue-tied.

Well, when you commit yourself to blogging on the entire New Testament, you can’t really pick and choose your topic. I would especially like to skip over the controversial ones, but First Corinthians is not cutting me any slack. The fourteenth chapter, yesterday and today’s readings, are primarily about the issue of speaking in tongues. And where I come from, that’s a controversial topic. But, I’ll address it with the two principles I have taught in my New Testament Survey classes: The principle of primacy of Scripture – before I ask what anybody else says about a topic, I must first ask what the Bible says about the topic, and the principle of plain sense – the majority of Scripture simply means what it says in common language for ordinary people.

Here’s what I understand the plain meaning of 1 Corinthians 14 to say about speaking in tongues:

It was practiced in the Corinthian church. V.2

It is speech directed to God. V.2

Tongues edify the person speaking. V. 4

Paul is OK with tongues speaking. V.5

Paul values prophecy over tongues. V.5

Paul prefers the gifts that edify the whole church. Vss.6-12

Tongues should be interpreted. V.13

Tongues are a form of prayer and praise. Vss.14-16

Paul is thankful for his own tongue speaking. V.18

Speaking intelligible words is for more useful in the church than speaking in tongues. V.19

Over-emphasizing the value of tongues comes from childish thinking. V.20

Tongues are for the fulfillment of prophecy that unbelievers will not be drawn to God by language signs. Vss.21-22

Unbridled tongue speaking in the church looks like craziness. V.23

Prophecy is far more effective for transformational witness. V.24-25

Tongues speaking can be controlled by the speaker and must be interpreted. V.26-28

Tongues speaking is not to be forbidden, but everything is to be done decently and in order. V.39-40

This is what I hear Paul saying about the gift of tongues.

What do I think about speaking in tongues? What he said.

Pray: Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on us. Give us gifts as You determine. Empower us for Your purposes. Clarify and prioritize Your gifts that there would be no misuse or abuse of them among Your people. Break us of our self-edification, and cause us to build up the Body first and foremost.

August 21 - 1 Corinthians 14:1-17 - Words Like Vitamins

Do you enjoy words and language? I have always had a love affair with language. As a preschooler, I could spell “hippopotamus” and “Mississippi.” My sister and I would hear common words as if they were from another planet, all sound and no meaning, and bust out laughing. “people.” “people.” Don’t process it, just hear it. “people.” It’s funny. I think we anticipated Neil Simon’s routine in “The Sunshine Boys,” where the old vaudevillian talks about word choice and comedy …

“Fifty-seven years in this business, you learn a few things. You know what words are funny and which words are not funny. Alka Seltzer is funny. You say "Alka Seltzer" you get a laugh . . . Words with "k" in them are funny. Casey Stengel, that's a funny name. Robert Taylor is not funny. Cupcake is funny. Tomato is not funny. Cookie is funny. Cucumber is funny. Car keys. Cleveland . . . Cleveland is funny. Maryland is not funny.”

Some words aren’t funny, they’re just fun to say. You know what the technical name for vitamin B12 is? Cyanocobalamin. That is a fun word to say. Try it … sigh-Anna-co-BALa-mean.

Words and language became an issue in the early church. Paul describes a practice among the Corinthians where they would “speak to God in mysteries with their spirit.” These mysteries came out as “prayers and songs.” Paul indicates that this “speaking in tongues” is language directed to God and unintelligible to everyone else. He does not anathematize the practice (how’s that for a word), “I would like every one of you to speak in tongues …,” but he does put it clearly in its place. The value of speaking words that are clear and constructive, building up the hearers, is by far more desirable in the church. If you want to pray and sing to God, by all means do so. Even if those means are mysterious and spiritual. But understand - that will only edify the self. Words and language are primarily to be used for edifying others. This is a continuation of Paul’s emphasis in the previous two chapters about Christ’s followers being other-oriented.

How can I strengthen, encourage and comfort you? How can I inform, instruct and unveil God’s Word to you? How can I sound a clear call to spiritual battle for you? How can I pray with a fruitful mind as well as a fruitful spirit? By speaking in plain and understandable language.

Paul says, “try to excel in gifts that build up the church.” Don’t use words as ambiance, incense, soundtrack. Use words like vitamins. Give me something simple. Give me something easy to swallow. Build me up with something nutritious. Give me some spiritual cyanocobalamin! (Sorry, couldn’t help myself.)

Pray: God of all knowledge and all people, you understand us no matter how we communicate. We can groan in your direction and you get it. But Lord, the rest of us are not so brilliant. Help us to communicate in ways that draw attention to You, and declare Your goodness, love and mercy. Help us make the gospel clear and relevant to every people group in every generation. Surely, your Spirit prefers to empower this.