What the Bible says about Prophecy and Tongues according to 1Cor.13 and 14

What the Bible says about Prophecy and Tongues according to 1Cor.13 and 14

In 1 Cor.13, Paul says the following,

1Co 13:8-10 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

With this in mind, questions can arise from reading 1 Cor.14 where Paul encourages the desire and practice of spiritual gifts. In addition to this, what exactly is tongues? Is it the ability to supernaturally speak in foreign human languages that one has not learned, or is it an unintelligible language that is practiced in many church denominations today? Let’s see what the Bible has to say about all this.

Question #1

Concerning tongues; if tongues are actual languages known to and understood by men and not “unintelligible babbling" as you claim, how do you explain 1 Cor.14, where Paul the apostle teaches that when one speaks in tongues, he speaks mysteries and he speaks directly to God. And Paul here is not speaking to the nation Israel but to the Body of Christ.

Question #2

Paul in verse 18, says he speaks in tongues more than the church. And Tongues here is not referring to actual language.

Please how do you explain this?

Question #3

Concerning Gifts and Prophecy; in the same 1 Cor.14:1, after encouraging the church to pursue after love, Paul also encourages the desire for spiritual gifts, and what's more, he even expresses his desire for them to prophesy in vs 5.

Please help me understand this too.

Response to Question #1

1 Cor. 14:2(a) For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him;

Speaking to God only, else translation needed for church

When speaking in tongues (foreign human language), the tongue was not to men but God, (three references and all tongues speaking directed to God and not to people: 1 Cor 14:2, 14-16, 28). Tongues were always addressed to God, not men, or to the church, as there was no value of edification to the church if no interpreter was present. Only God can understand all languages known to men. Since the tongues speaker did not understand the language he spoke with the gift of tongues, he must speak to God. This is why the gift of “interpretation” or translation was meaningful. Translation implies a natural language, so the speaker of tongues could not understand the translation of the language he spoke until someone with the gift of translation exercised his gift.

1 Cor. 14:2(b) howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 

Speaking mysteries

A tongues speaker spoke “in the spirit” as opposed to understanding the language (1 Co 14:14). That is part of the supernatural element of speaking in a foreign language without studying for it. If a speaker cannot understand the language he is speaking, then verbalizing words in the language is not meaningful to him. Since this is so, the speaker would only derive benefit from the ‘intention’ of what he said. The fuller message itself, unless interpreted, would remain a mystery to him.

1Cor.14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 

Edifieth himself

How can foreign tongues edify the tongue speaker if he does not understand it. Well, remember, this is a ‘spiritual’ gift. The gift might not benefit the speakers understanding, but it can benefit his inner man. The truths which are communicated to him by the Spirit, and which he utters in an unknown language, may be valuable, and may be the means of strengthening his faith, and building up in his faith, but they can be of no use to others. His own spiritual affections might be excited by the operation of a spiritual gift working through him, as well as consciousness of possessing such a gift can strengthen his connection with God and his gratitude. In essence, he is edified by the operation of the gift within him even though very little intelligible value is connected to it.

In part (b) of this verse, the same can be said about one who prophecies in their natural language. The same affections, blessings, connection, and gratitude can be derived from such a gifting operating within them, but the added benefit of edification for themselves and the church can be had because of intelligible language.

Response to Question #2

1Cor.14:18  I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

The Corinthians were not to get the idea that Paul did not value the gift of tongues, for he spoke in tongues more than all of them. Paul did not despise speaking with tongues: nor did he dissuade them from desiring them. Paul oftentimes operated in this gift, frequently under a necessity of so doing; having to use them through his travelling into different countries, and preaching the Gospel to people of divers languages; and this he mentions also not in a boasting manner, but in great humility, giving thanks to God, and acknowledging him to be the author of this gift.

Tongues was a necessary gifting during this time of dispersed ministry. Remember that the gift was initially given to Israel (the 12-apostles at Pentecost) for the purpose of ministering to the diaspora of Jews who were in Jerusalem for the feast. Preaching the gospel in foreign tongues was of great benefit to reaching multiple nationalities of Jews.

On the reverse side, Paul also informs of the limitation of this gifting within the context of the church or fellowship of believers. Paul says in verse 19, “I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.”

Paul’s value of the gift was not in its use but its function. If speaking in tongues did not produce understanding, then it had little value. Edification is 10,000 times more valuable than the experience of speaking in tongues. “Teach others” implies understanding.

Response to Question #3

Paul also encourages the desire for spiritual gifts

In order to understand the proper context of Paul’s attitude to spiritual gifts here in the Corinthian letter, you need to understand two things,

First:

We were in a time of transition, where Israel was being blinded and God was turning to the Gentiles. Paul had not yet given up on Israel and made it a practise to go to the Jews first to try to convince them that they could be saved by the cross of Christ, Rom.9:1-3. The operation of the gifts within the Gentile churches were for the purpose to provoke Israel to jealousy, so that by any means, some could be saved.

Rom.10:19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.

Rom.11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

Rom.11:14  If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

Paul in his ministration to Gentiles, during the Acts transition period, would therefore encourage the desire for spiritual gifts amongst the Gentiles as this would provide the signs that Jews sought after, as proof that God was working through Paul’s ministry and, as Paul would have it, provoke them to salvation.

It is interesting to note that after the period of Acts ministry, and after the third rejection of the Jews to hear Paul’s gospel at the end of Acts, Paul turns away from Israel and fully to his ministry to the Gentiles. Since the Jews are out of the proverbial picture now, you will notice that there is little to no focus on these utterance or power giftings in Ephesians onwards through his prison epistles. There was no more need for ‘signs’ to convert Israel.

Second:

At this time, spiritual gifts were necessary because the details of the grace (mystery) program had not yet been fully exposed. Paul tells us in Col.1:25 that he completed the revelation of God’s will to humanity in scripture. But, until his writings could paint a clearer picture of the full plan and purpose of God for turning to the Gentiles, the utterance gifts of tongues, interpretation, prophecy, and words of knowledge were to be sought after and exercised, as these provided edification and confirmation of the doctrine for the Body of Christ.

If you consider the value of prophecy for Israel during the Old Testament, likewise in this fledgling time of the Body of Christ, and without the confirmation of the completed writings of Paul, these verbal giftings were of value to the church for edification, encouragement, and comfort.

According to 1 Cor.13, the spiritual giftings that were exercised in the church during the Acts transition, and which was beneficial to the corporate body at that time, have ceased today because we have the full revelation of God’s Word. The spiritual gifts were a transitory occurrence while the scriptures were being written. There is no need for prophecy, tongues, interpretation, or words of knowledge since the full counsel of God’s Word is in our hands. Paul compares these gifts to ‘childish things’ that should be put away, now that the full extent of God’s glorious Word is made know to us.

1Co 13:11-13 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.