Bible Discussion Thread

An interpretation of chapter, 1 Corinthians 14. (PT 1)

I would like to start from the last verse of ch. 12, "But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way."

Ch. 12 is the chapter where the spiritual gifts to the church are described. It is the chapt. that describes the church as a body where each member has a dinstictive work to do, hence a talent/gift is given to everybody to work for Jesus through it. And it ends as above. The very obvious impression this verse gives is that the "more excellent way" which refers to Love/charity (as described in the following chapter, ie 13) is above all those gifts, so gifts are not essentiall really. This verse is mainly used by all those christians that claim that gifts are not necessary, only love is needed which is the best way. Back in my country there is a reborn church that has changed all words in the NT, instead of prophesy they write teaching

Then comes ch. 12 which is the chapter of Love.

And we go to the first verse of chapt. 14, "Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy."

So charity/Love doesn't kind of substitute the gifts. Gifts are essential and Paul advises us to desire them, especially the gift of

prophesying. Why prophesying and not talking in tongues? Verse 2, because the one who speaks in tongues does not talk to people because nobody understands him. Imagine somebody who talks say in Chinese in an English congregation. Who understands him? Nobody, not even him himself, so he talks to God what the Spirit gives him in Chinese, which as said are mysteries (unknown) to him and to everybody in the congregation.

Verse 3, "But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort." Prophesy is a direct message from God through people that God uses and gifts them, the prophets. Prophesy is not always about future events but as the verse says it is for "edification, and exhortation, and comfort." OF THE CHURCH.