1 Corinthians 14:20

1 Corinthians 14:20 says, Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.  Paul warned the Christians at Corinth to not act like children in their understanding of the way to worship in church.  I believe Paul was saying that when they began to do things that simply benefited themselves it was showing malice, or a lack of concern for those gathered with them.  Just as children can become selfish in their actions, so is worshipping in public where only we benefit selfish.  Verse twenty-one adds, 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.  This is from Isaiah 28:11.  Matthew Henry says this refers to times when Israel was taken captive by other countries and were spoken to in other languages.  Even in those times the people of God often refused to listen to the voice of God.  We need to listen for God's voice no matter what may be going on around us.  Verse twenty-two continues, 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.  I believe that Paul was saying that being able to speak in the language of the unbeliever was a sign to them of the power of God, but it was not a sign to those who believe.  As followers of Christ, we need to understand what God is saying to us, and this is not done by words that have no meaning to us.  Verse twenty-three states, 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?  Paul asks if we are all speaking in different tongues, or languages, and those that are unlearned, or unbelievers come into the service if they wouldn't think us mad.  Again, I believe that God will always lead us to understanding and not confusion.  When we worship together, any lost person coming into the service should clearly understand what is being said.  Verse twenty-four adds, 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:  I believe that as Paul was comparing tongues to prophecy, he was telling us that if we are to prophecy or teach in  clearly understood words, we can reach the lost, but if we are all speaking in tongues, or unknown languages, we will only leave them confused.  Verse twenty-five continues, 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.  This is a continuation of what Paul was saying in the last few verses.  Instead of the unbeliever asking if we are mad, if he or she understands what is being proclaimed and accepts the gospel into their heart, they will be saved.  The purpose of the church is to reach the lost and to edify, or teach and strengthen one another in faith.  Verse twenty-six asks, 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.  Paul tells us that when we come together, it is not just to be as a group of individuals doing whatever they are doing for their own benefit but doing it for the benefit of the group.  Verse twenty-seven adds, 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.  Paul tells us that no more than two or three should speak in an unknown tongue at any service, and even then it should be in succession, and not all at once.  He adds that there should be another person with the gift of interpretation present who could interpret what was being said.  Verse twenty-eight continues, But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.  This is separate from the one who is speaking.  If the person speaking also interprets, then everything is being done for show and could lead to false doctrine being introduced into the church.  If a person says that God has given them an utterance in an unknown tongue, and if no one else understands what they are saying and they interpret what they say God spoke to them in an unknown tongue, then they would be free to interpret it any way they chose.  Paul tells if there is no one other than the person speaking in an unknown tongue to interpret, the person should remain silent in the church.

1 Corinthians 14:12

1 Corinthians 14:12 says, Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.  Paul was still teaching those in the church at Corinth about speaking in tongues.  He was attempting to clarify some misunderstandings in the church, the same way he had just done with the observance of the Lord's Supper. Of course, his teachings apply to the church for all ages.  Paul said they were zealous of, or really wanted, spiritual gifts, but that they should want those that edify the church.  I believe we can really say that we are to be zealous that our own spiritual gift or gifts be revealed to us so that the church as a whole may be edified, and that we are not to seek a particular spiritual gift.  Verse thirteen adds, Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.  Paul tells us that if we are speaking in an unknown tongue, or language, that we are to pray that we may interpret what we are saying.  As I have already stated, I do not believe that God would have a person publicly speaking in an unknown tongue, or language, if everyone understood the same language.  This was never a sign of a greater spiritual blessing to be sought by all people but was a way to reach those who spoke other languages with the gospel.  Verse fourteen continues, For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.  Paul said that even in his prayer life if he prayed in an unknown tongue by his spirit that his understanding was not fruitful.  We must have an understanding of what is being said for it to be beneficial to us.  God may understand even our thoughts, but we must acknowledge what they mean for it to benefit us.  Verse fifteen states, 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.  I believe that Paul was saying that when he prayed or sang in the spirit that he did so with understanding.  Some interpret this as meaning praying or singing in an unknown tongue, or language, as a sign of being caught up in the Spirit as the expression goes, but even if so interpreted, what is being said must be interpreted to be useful.  I know there are those who will disagree, but I do not believe that God will lead us to speak in an unknown tongue, or language, if we all speak the same language.  Verse sixteen adds, 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?  Paul asked how anyone could agree with what we said if they did not understand what we said.  To say amen is to say so be it, and how can we say that to something that we do not understand.  Verse seventeen continues, For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. Paul tells us that we might give thanks for this from our own perspective, but that we do not edify, or help others, in their understanding.  Verse eighteen says, I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:  Paul was not jealous of the ability to speak in other languages.  He said he spoke in more than all the others.  When we consider his missionary journeys, we know that he went to many different places and proclaimed the gospel, and the people understood him.  In verse nineteen Paul adds, 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.  Paul said in the church that he would rather speak five words that were understood that others might learn from him, than to speak ten thousand words that were not understood.  Likewise, we must witness to and teach people with words that they understand.

1 Corinthians 14:1

1 Corinthians 14:1 says, Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. Paul tells us that we are to follow after or live with the love of God directing us as we seek our spiritual gift or gifts.  He also tells us this is to be done so that we might prophecy or spread the gospel.  I don't believe when Paul says that we are to desire spiritual gifts that he means that we are to covet a particular gift, but that we are to desire to develop our own spiritual gift.  Verse two adds, 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.  Paul again addresses the issue of speaking in unknown tongues.  Paul says that a person speaking in an unknown tongue doesn't speak to men, but to God.  Those around him who do not understand what he is saying receive no benefit from his speech.  Paul says that when a person in the spirit speaks in an unknown tongue, he speaks in mysteries.  There is no edification for those around him, unless they understood the unknown tongue, or language, that the person is speaking in.  As an example, if we hold up a sign on national television that says John 3:16, it has no meaning unless the person reading it knows what John 3:16 says.  Words that are not understood cannot be a witness for God.  Verse three continues, But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.  Paul tells us that when we prophecy or proclaim God's word in a language that is understood we edify those we are speaking to.  Paul tells us this should lead Christians to action and bring them comfort.  Words that are not understood can do none of these things.  We should always want our witness to have a positive effect in the world, and especially in the church.  Verse four states, He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.  Paul tells us that those who speak in an unknown tongue only benefit themselves, yet many Christians in the world today value this gift above all others.  We are given different spiritual gifts for the purpose of spreading the gospel, not so that we may be glorified because of our particular gift or gifts.  As Paul had already stated, not everyone has the same gift, and we are to use our own particular gift and not covet another.  All spiritual gifts are meant to edify and not confuse.  Verse five adds, 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 tells us that proclaiming the gospel so that it can be understood by people is better than speaking in a language that they don't understand, unless someone interprets what is being said.  I believe that if they all speak the same language that there really is no reason to speak in an unknown tongue.  Verse six continues, 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?  Paul asks what profit is there in speaking in tongues if it does nothing to edify their faith.  Since I don't believe that God is the author of confusion, I don't believe that He would add the confusion of hearing someone speak in a language that no one understands.  Verse seven says, 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?  Paul said that in music, instruments had different sounds, and that by their sounds a person could tell what was being played on what instrument.   Verse eight adds, For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?   Paul said that the trumpet could sound the battle cry, but if no one understood it that it would serve no purpose.  Verse nine continues, 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. Paul compares the sounding of the trumpet when no one understands what it means to speaking in tongues if no one understands what is being said.  Paul said that when we did this we were just speaking into the air.  Verse ten states, There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.  Paul said there are many voices, or languages, in the world, and that they all had meaning to those who understand them.  I may know a few words in another language, but when it is being spoken normally, I do not understand what is being said.  Verse eleven adds, 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.  Paul said if we do not understand what is being said when someone speaks in another voice, or language, we will remain barbarians or strangers to one another. Unless we understand what is being said when the gospel is presented and expounded, then what is being proclaimed is just so much beating the air.  There is sound, but no understanding.

1 Corinthians 13:1

1 Corinthians 13:1 says, Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.  This is often referred to as the love chapter.  We first need to realize that charity as Paul uses it here is more accurately translated as love.  Paul said that even if he could speak in the languages of all people, or even the language of the angels, but he had no love for those that he was speaking to, he was just making so much noise.  If we are witnessing to people today without the love of God for them in our hearts, we are just proclaiming empty words from our perspective.  God may us our witnessing to reach others, but we lose the joy that it should bring us.  If we are witnessing more out of a sense of duty without love for those we are witnessing to, we are just making so much noise.  Verse two adds, And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.  We may pray to understand everything that God teaches us or even for a mountain moving faith, but Paul tells us even if we had this ability, without love for those around us it amounts to nothing.  We are not given this strong faith and great understanding for our own benefit, but to reach out to the lost people in the world in love.  Verse three continues, And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.  I believe that Paul is telling us that the deeds that we do are not as important as the attitude that we have for doing them.  Even if we give all our possessions to the poor, but do it not because of a real love for them through Christ, then we do not profit from it spiritually.  Paul tells us once again that love is the key.  Verse four states, Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,  We need to remember that charity is more accurately interpreted love, and then Paul tells us some of the attributes of love.  Love suffers long and is kind.  We are not called to have a love for the lost until they reject us or out of pity for them, but we are love them even if they do reject us.  We are not to be puffed up in our own goodness, but to be humbled in service to God because of His love for us.  We are to share that God like love with others without putting limits on it.  Verse five adds, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;  Paul is still speaking of the love that God gives us through our faith in Christ.  We cannot just do what benefits us the most and show the real love of God to the world.  We in love for others cannot be easily provoked and think evil of others.  Too often we seem to be just waiting for people to reject the gospel so we can then feel hatred toward them.  We need to remember that we are called to reach the people of the world in love, not to destroy them in hatred.  Verse six says, Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; I believe Paul was warning Christians against rejoicing in anything obtained by iniquity.  We may have great success in the world, but unless that success is consistent with the truth of God, we certainly have no reason to rejoice.  If we rejoice, it must be due to the fact that we are living by the truth of God.  Of love,   Verse seven adds, Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.  I believe that Paul was speaking of a Godlike love.  We often confuse feel good emotions with love, and if those emotions go away, we assume we fell out of love.  Real love is not just an emotional choice that we turn on and off, but it is a commitment to another that lasts through everything.  This love holds up under pressure and leads to hope and not despair.  Verse eight continues, 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.  Paul said that some of the other gifts of God might fail us at times, but real Godlike love never will.  That is why Paul tells us we must have this type of love in our hearts. If we do, even if other things fall, it never will.  Verse nine states, For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  Paul tells us that when we exercise the other gifts, we do so without the full knowledge of God, and I believe in context tells us that if we love as God loves, we have a complete knowledge of love. Verse ten adds, But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. One day, when we are called away to heaven, everything in life will be made perfect, and those things that we only know in part will be made complete.  Verse eleven continues, 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.  I believe Paul is telling us that we need to grow in our faith and knowledge of God's will.  Our faith is not to remain childish, but to grow in maturity, just as a child grows physically.  Verse twelve says, 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.  Paul tells us that we cannot clearly see everything about God in this world, but there is coming that day when we depart this world and see God clearly with nothing coming between Him and us.  Verse thirteen adds, And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.  Paul says that our faith and hope in God will abide, but that the greatest of these three mentioned is charity, or love.  We must love others with a love like God has for us.

1 Corinthians 12:22

1 Corinthians 12:22 says, Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:  Paul continues to use the analogy of the body to point out that we need all the members of the church to effectively accomplish God's will, just as our physical body needs all its parts to work at optimum efficiency.  I realize that there are some parts of the body that we can live without, but that does not mean that the body works at an optimum level without them, even if we do not totally understand their purpose.  Just as some body parts might be viewed as more feeble, or less necessary, so could some Christians be viewed.  We may look at it fellow believer and wonder what purpose they serve in the church, but if all church members, all the members of the body of Christ, are working together, we should never look down on others.  All are needed, and none is more important than the other, as long as each is utilizing their own spiritual gift or gifts.  Verse twenty-three adds, And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.   We need to understand that all parts of the body have a purpose, and not feel that they are unimportant just because they seem to do little for the body.  The church can function without all the little things being done by those who we might not even notice as they exercise their own spiritual gift, but the church will not function as efficiently as it should.  We should be thankful for those who do the things that are necessary but maybe not glorious in the eyes of the world.  Verse twenty-four continues, For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:  Some parts of our bodies are acknowledged as being very necessary, but we don't need to continually praise their function, any more than we need to dismiss those parts that seem less necessary.  As the body of Christ, we cannot glorify some members while ignoring others.  We are all necessary to be most effective in spreading the gospel.  Verse twenty-five states, That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.  If we begin to glorify certain members of the church and ignore others, then a schism, or division, may occur in the church.  We must always remember that whatever gift or gifts we may have, they come from God.  We do not have what may be viewed as a greater gift because we are more important to God, so we should not act as though we are more important than someone else with what could be viewed as a lesser gift.  Verse twenty-six adds, And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.  Paul tells us that we should all suffer or rejoice together.  I believe that sometimes we are better at suffering together than we are at rejoicing together.  Too often we become envious when another believer seems to be blessed more than we are, but we are to rejoice with them instead.  Verse twenty-seven continues, Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.  Paul reminds us that we are one in purpose, spreading the gospel of Christ and strengthening our understanding of what it means to follow Christ, but we each have a particular role in accomplishing that purpose.   Verse twenty-eight says, And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.  I believe that the key to this verse is that God gives us our gift or gifts.  We are not called to develop a gift that we do not have, but the gift that God gives us.  Verse twenty-nine adds, Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?  Paul was asking if all had the same gift.  Verse thirty continues, Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?  There are Christians today who seem to think that every Christian should speak in tongues, which I think they misinterpret, as a sign that they are truly saved.  Paul tells us that not all Christians have this gift.  Verse thirty-one concludes, But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.  I don't believe that Paul was telling us to covet a gift that we see as being better than the gift or gifts that we have, but that the more excellent way is to develop the gift or gifts that we have been given by God.

1 Corinthians 12:12

1 Corinthians 12:12 states, For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.  Paul tells us that even though our physical bodies are made up of several different parts, that all the individual parts work together to make the body work at its peak.  Paul then tells us that this is true of spiritual gifts and the church.  All the gifts are needed for the church to function at its best.  We might argue that the heart or brain are more important than the appendix, but that is not the point.  Even if we can survive physically without certain parts of the body, all parts have an intended purpose and cannot become what they were not intended to be.  Verse thirteen adds, For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.  Paul again reminds those members of the church that they may have come from different backgrounds, but they were all made equal through the cross of Calvary.  We cannot allow the thought that some Christians are more important than others or that they deserve more than others become a part of our faith in Christ.  There should be no thought that certain material things are good enough for other Christians, but that we deserve more.  We are all sinners saved by grace, and whether we are rich or poor in the eyes of the world is unimportant.  We come to God from whatever our station in life, and we serve God wherever we might be.  The key is to always put the will of God first.  Verse fourteen continues, For the body is not one member, but many. Paul again uses the analogy of the human body.  There are many parts to the body with each part having a specific purpose, but all parts work together.  The same should be true of the church, the body of Christ here on earth.  We cannot afford to feel that because of where we live and what we have that we are any more important or necessary than the poorest, weakest Christian anywhere.  Verse fifteen states, If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?  I believe that Paul was pointing out that just as it would be ridiculous for parts of the body to claim they didn't belong to the body because they didn't serve the same purpose as another part that the same is true for members of the body of Christ, the church.  We all serve our unique purpose, but we are all part of the same body of Christ.  Verse sixteen adds, And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?  Verse seventeen continues, If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?  I believe he was saying that if every part of the body served the same purpose, we would be a mighty limited creature.  The same is true of the church, the body of Christ on the earth.  Verse eighteen says, But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.  Paul reminds us that God created the body, with each part having a unique purpose according to His will.  The same is true of the church.  God calls each person to a unique purpose in the church according to His will.  Verse nineteen adds, And if they were all one member, where were the body?  We cannot all have the same spiritual gift and function effectively as the body of Christ.  Verse twenty continues, But now are they many members, yet but one body.  Just as our bodies have many members, or parts, that make up the whole body, so does the church.  We are more than just individual Christians.  We are called to work together to bring about the will and glory of God.  Verse twenty-one concludes, And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.  Paul was not just speaking of our physical bodies, but of the body of Christ.  We all need each other utilizing our own individual gifts collectively to accomplish our goal, the spreading of the gospel and the reaching of the lost with God's message of salvation.

1 Corinthians 12:1

1 Corinthians 12:1 says, Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.  Paul wanted to clarify the giving of spiritual gifts, yet we still have different views of spiritual gifts today. Verse two adds, Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.  Paul reminded the believers at Corinth where they had come from spiritually.  They were Gentiles who had worshipped dumb idols.  Their idols could never empower them to do anything, but now they worshipped the Living God Who could and would empower them.  Verse three continues, Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.  We cannot come to God except through Christ.  To say that there is any other way would make the sacrifice of Christ on the cross unnecessary and would in effect curse or condemn His sacrifice.  Paul also says that the only way we can call Jesus Lord is through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Through the work of the Holy Spirit, God calls everyone to Him, though not all respond.  Verse four states, Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. If a person is truly a follower of Christ, a says, Now believer, then they have some spiritual gift that is needed to carry out the commission of God that we go and make disciples of the whole world.  Not everyone has the same gift, and we are not to covet the gift of another or to attempt to glorify our own gift or gifts.  They come from God, and not from our own worthiness.  Verse five adds, And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.  I believe Paul was saying that there are different ways in which we use our spiritual gifts, but all that we do is for the glory of God. As the Lord of the life of each believer, He unifies us in the use of our individual spiritual gifts.  Verse six continues, And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.  I believe Paul was saying that even though we serve different purposes in God's kingdom, God unifies what we do.  As long as each individual Christian uses his or her spiritual gift for God's glory, then the kingdom of God will be stronger.  Verse seven says, But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.  We profit from using the gift or gifts that God gives us for His glory, not for our own.  If we begin to feel that some spiritual gifts, or those who have them, are more important than others and are to be desired by all, we are not following what God teaches us.  Verse eight says, For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;  I believe we can state that wisdom is more inborn, and knowledge is learned, but God should be the source of both.  Verse nine adds, To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;  We may not think of faith as a spiritual gift, but God tells us that He not only provides salvation for us, but the faith to respond as well.  Paul said that some were given the gift of healing, but that the gift of faith and healing were both given by the Holy Spirit.  Verse ten continues, To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:  Paul lists several gifts here, and states that they are given to different people. We might want to put the working of miracles ahead of discerning of spiritual truth, but Paul tells us that all these gifts are necessary, and we simply need to allow God to develop ours.  In verse eleven Paul concludes, But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. As followers of Christ, we all have the Holy Spirit to guide us, and we need to put control of our lives in His hands.  When we do, the church will work together for God's glory and the advancement of His kingdom.