By Pastor Dave Farmer
This article begins Paul's second argument about how the gift of tongues was being misused, 1 Corinthians 14:12-17. You may have no interest in the gift of tongues as a subject, but remember that this chapter provides basic principles that apply to all local churches, for they are timeless principles, such as this: Edification takes priority!
1 Corinthians 14:12 [Expanded Translation]
The same thing is true of you as long as you are enthusiastic about spiritual gifts, for the purpose of the edification of the church [during worship] seek [spiritual gifts that build up] 1 in order that you may have abundant blessings.
Paul starts verse 12 talking about edification: “For the purpose of the edification the church (during worship) seek [spiritual gifts that build up]." He ends the paragraph in verse 17, prioritizing edification by using a negative statement, "is not being edified." This sufficiently establishes that in Paul's mind, and while writing under divine inspiration, it is also God's will. The true purpose for assembling worship is the believer's edification [also in verses 3 and 5 of the current passage].
The introductory clause indicates that we are transitioning from the hypothetical illustrations of the previous context to the actual circumstances in the church's worship services at Corinth, literally “the same thing is true of you also or the same thing applies to you also.”
The idea of edification is a critical spiritual concept for the local church. We can say this with great certainty, for any study of this word yields the fact that this is a technical word frequently used by the Apostle Paul. Dr. Vine says:
this is used only figuratively in the N.T., in the sense of edification, the promotion of spiritual growth (lit., the things of building up), Rom. 14:19; 15:2; 1 Cor. 14:3, 5, 12, 26, 2
The word OIKODOME refers to an act of building or erecting an edifice and, secondarily, the idea of spiritual profit or advancement. Paul uses it four times in this passage: 1 Corinthians 14:3, 5, 12, and 26. This compound noun comprises two Greek words: OIKOS, meaning house, and DEMO, meaning to build, construct, and erect.
Paul also uses it in Ephesians 4:11-13 where the communication of the Word of God by divinely authorized personnel is given to the Church for the purpose of edification. Paul utilizes it as a metaphor for spiritual maturity. This picture of edification describes the spiritual strengthening of believers as they take in the Word of God. The lifelong display of our positive volition is seen as we listen to, learn, and apply the Word of God in daily life.
The imperative mood is used when a direct command is given, 3 “for the purpose of edification,” we are directed “to seek the spiritual gifts,” which result in spiritual growth. 4 Those gifts Paul listed in verse 6, “What will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching.” It is essential to recognize that Paul wrote this during the pre-canon period 5 of the Church Age. So, revelation, knowledge, and prophesy are temporary gifts, leaving only one, teaching, that continues throughout the entire period.
Everything we do as a church must be measured by the divine standard, the principle of edification.
When Applied to Speaking In Tongues
Paul is a genius debater. He has previously established the fact [First Argument 1 Corinthians 14:3-6] that the gift of tongues does not edify the church congregation when assembled for worship. Why? Because it is unintelligible! If I hear a brother in Christ speaking in tongues, I may recognize he is in a highly emotional state. I may even conclude that his raptured state is one of celebration, lifting up God with great praise, but because my mind does not understand the vocabulary, I remain uninstructed. Certainly, I am not being edified. It fails to pass the test.
Backward Thinking
The backward thinking of the Corinthians also abounds today. What does not abound is an understanding of the principle of Biblical edification. For instance, in the face of this passage we are studying, some teach that spiritual gifts cause spiritual growth. We are learning that some spiritual gifts, such as tongues, do not edify the church. There seems to be very little discernment, for there is a belief in these circles that spiritual gifts produce growth. When you take this belief that spiritual gifts produce spiritual growth, and compare it to the Scriptures, we find no support. What we do learn from Scripture is that spiritual gifts are a result of spiritual growth. Believers find, develop, and utilize their gifts as they mature spiritually.
Whenever you pursue spiritual gifts to become spiritually mature, you have a ridiculous picture of a team of horses pushing the wagon rather than pulling the wagon. Imagine that picture, and I believe you will come to the correct conclusion that this is unnatural. Whenever we take the results of spiritual maturity [exercising a spiritual gift] and replace it with the means of spiritual maturity [teaching of the Word of God], we distort the plan of Grace. I can't emphasize enough the importance of grasping this doctrinal fact. If you are in a church that is practicing backward thinking, as articulated here, get out! You will not grow spiritually.
Now, take another illustration of backward thinking. I have taught throughout the years the importance of membership in the church. One of our privileges as members is to serve one another [Galatians 5:13]. I expressed it in this way, "Get A Job!" It is a wonderful time when we have a new convert in the church. It reinvigorates us all. We are reminded afresh of our own beginning in the church, days of enthusiasm, zeal, and wonder. They are eager to serve, and our response is to "find them a job to do, or we may lose them." This is backward thinking. My approach was to tell new converts to sit and learn about the Christian Way of Life so they can live in a way that pleases the Lord. As you spiritually grow, a place of service will open to you.
Why? When you pursue serving the Lord as a means to spiritual maturity, you create another ridiculous picture. This time, the new convert is pushing the wagon. Whenever we take the results of spiritual maturity [serving the Lord] and replace them with the means of spiritual maturity [teaching of the Word of God], we distort the plan of Grace. As the church pastor teaches the Word of God, he equips you for "the work of service." Effective service comes through spiritual maturity. The backward idea is that Christian service produces spiritual growth. I defy anyone to show me a passage of Scripture that teaches that.
How about BINGO? Certainly, we have found an activity in many churches that when we analyze it according to the principle of edification, we find it wanting. I would like to know how you grow spiritually through Bingo or how it reveals in you Jesus Christ. Yet believers say, "If you want to attract people to the church, start a Bingo night." Gimmicks! You can add bazaars, church socials, lottery sales, carnivals, etc., and ad infinitum ad nausea to this list. If we apply the principle of edification, these activities may be fun, but they do not build anyone up spiritually.
The closing phase, “In order that you may live abundantly,” refers to the blessings spiritual maturity brings. Jesus used the adjective that comes from this verb when He said, "I have come that they might have life and [have it] abundantly, John 10:10. Our Lord Jesus says, “I start with eternal life and then provide many "over and beyond blessings.” What could they be? He not only gave us eternal life but made us His sons and daughters. He adopts us into His family. Does He have a family? Yes, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and then all of us who are placed into Their Family.
Finally, we notice that the verbal concept of the indicative mood shifts to the subjunctive mood. Why is this important? The subjunctive mood indicates that maybe we will be blessed and maybe we won’t; it depends on our choices. For instance, will you, as a believer, attend your church's services and receive from the pastor’s ministry teaching from the Word of God? Suppose you are a Christian that is reading this article. In that case, I hope you will become convinced from the Word of God that you cannot grow spiritually apart from a pastor teaching the Word of God [review Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Thessalonians 5:12,13; Hebrews 13:17]. The devil’s lie is, “You don’t need church; you don’t need anyone to teach you. You can teach yourself.”
In our passage, Paul states that this occurs when the church assembles and the Word of God is taught. This is where edification takes place. You cannot edify yourself, and it is arrogance, yes, blind arrogance 6 to think otherwise.
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1. “for the purpose of the edification of the church (during worship) seek [spiritual gifts that build up],” This translation preserves the word order in the Greek text.
2. Vine, W. E., & Bruce, F. F. (1981). Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament words (Vol. 2, pp. 17–18). Old Tappan NJ: Revell.
3. The present active imperative of ZETEO. The present tense is the habitual present, indicating that we are commanded to develop a lifestyle of listening, learning, and applying the Word of God in our daily lives. The active voice explains that we are responsible and will be held accountable to reach spiritual maturity. You are responsible for your own spiritual life. The imperative mood is the mood of direct command. We are under orders to take the high ground of spiritual maturity. This is similar to 2 Peter 3:18, “Grow [command] in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
4. Expositors say, “The previous clause supplies the direct object.” The Expositor’s Greek Testament, Editor W. Robertson Nicoll, Vol II, 1956.
5. See Summary of the Periods of the Church Age in the Reference Section.
6. Blind arrogance occurs when a believer is so lifted up with pride that they are blinded by it. To have the sin of pride is one thing, but not to know it is a great danger for the Christian.
1 Timothy 3:6
and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited [blind arrogance] and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.
1 Timothy 6:3
If anyone advocates [teaches] a different doctrine and disagrees with sound words, namely, those doctrines about our Lord Jesus Christ, even to that doctrine about godliness [advance to the High Ground],
1 Timothy 6:4
he is conceited [blind arrogance] and understands nothing, but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions,