By Pastor Dave Farmer
Summary
This article looks at the principle of edification as it is applied to the activities of the local church when it is assembled for worship.
Paul examines what occurs at the First Church of Corinth as it gathers for public worship. Worship is an English word that means worthship. 1 It refers to paying homage or ascribing the highest worth to the One who deserves this. The essence of divine worship is our giving to God what is due Him. There are two times a believer worships God: privately and publically. We privately worship God through Bible study and prayer, daily communing with Him. Our devotions are not under discussion. A second time is when we meet together in our public assemblies. In the local church at Corinth, Paul selects three practices to which he will apply the principle of edification: 2 prayer, singing, and giving thanks to God.
1 Corinthians 14:13 Expanded Translation
For this reason, the one who is speaking in a foreign language must pray that he may interpret.
Anyone with the gift of tongues and who desires to use their gift in public worship must abide by the exception clause. This is stated as a command, “he must pray.” It is the obligation of the believer who possesses the gift of tongues, before he speaks in tongues, to pray that someone will interpret. Interpretation means translation, for apart from a translation of the tongue spoken, edification is impossible. If a person who speaks in a tongue also had the gift of interpretation of tongues, he could not provide an interpretation for his own tongue, 1 Corinthians 14:28.
The spiritual gift of tongues was a legitimate and valuable gift at the time of writing; Paul states the exception in public worship. If you can produce a translation in the vernacular of the people, it would be permitted. Although Paul permits the gift of tongues to be used in public worship, it is still subordinate to the principle of edification.
He will further regulate this gift, indicating that “only two or three” at the most could speak in tongues during public worship. He also required that they speak “one at a time,” revealing that they were all speaking simultaneously, 1 Corinthian 14:27. I recall a prayer meeting in Bible College when Release Time teachers [students at the school] gathered for prayer. The faculty leader wanted us all to pray out loud at the same time! Her explanation was so that we might understand what it might be like for God to hear our prayers. I remember starting to pray out loud. As others joined in, I lost my concentration. So I put my hands over my ears to mute the prayers of the other twenty students. I think this is what it might have been like at Corinth. In a future argument, Paul will say, "God is not the author of confusion" 1 Corinthians 14:33. I learned a great lesson that day. God is great; who is like Him?
Let’s review
The gift of tongues is the supernatural ability to speak a foreign language unlearned and unknown to the one speaking. Also, if the language were known to everyone in the congregation, it would succeed the test of edification. However, we notice in the list of spiritual gifts, as in 1 Corinthians 12:10, the gift of the interpretation of tongues. This gift was the supernatural ability to translate the language of the tongues speaker not known or learned by the interpreter. The exception clause requires that in the church, someone must possess this gift so that an interpretation could be given so that the entire church might be blessed [edified].
Paul chooses three activities in the church at Corinth that illustrated the need for the divine filter of edification.
When the church entered into a time of public prayer [praying out loud], some prayed in a tongue, and the words of that prayer were foreign to the congregation. Some prayed in Koine Greek, which was in the church's vocabulary. Paul will apply the principle of edification to this crucial spiritual ministry in all local churches. Praying for one another is how we fulfill His mandate to love one another. Giving our time to prayer is crucial, but in Corinth, this function of the local church was being misused. Paul is not commending them; they misused the spiritual gift of tongues. In fact, that is the whole point of this chapter: the improper use of the gift of tongues.
1 Corinthians 14:14 Expanded Translation
For if I pray in a foreign language [not known to the congregation] my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful (non-productive).
Paul contrasts the two ways the Corinthians were praying. The first way is through the gift of tongues represented by the expression of my spirit prays. Then, some pray in the language of the congregation, and that is represented in the expression, my mind. It is essential to recognize that Paul does not explain the mechanics of how the gift of tongues operates or how the human spirit is involved. 3 There is no explanation, only the results of the two ways. Also, be alerted to the fact that there are different interpretations of this passage, such as those who see my spirit as a reference to the Holy Spirit, and cite Romans 8:26,27 as an example. However, keep in mind the context only deals with the results between prayer that edifies and prayer that does not; prayer that fails to meet the test of edification and prayer that honors and glorifies the Lord.
1 Corinthians 14:15 Expanded Translation
Therefore, what use is it [praying in tongues]? I will pray associated with my spirit, and I will pray associated with my mind, I will sing associated with my spirit, and I will sing associated with my mind.
Therefore, what use is it [praying in tongues]? This question is rhetorical and requires a negative answer, "no use or profit or benefit to anyone who prays or sings in a tongue.” Congregational singing is the second illustration of how the gift of tongues disrupted the church. I love to sing the great hymns of the faith with the congregation. It is such a joy and blessing to me to sing out loud and in unison with others in the family of God. However, as others join in the singing using their spiritual gift, singing in one voice and in unison turns into a sound similar to a noisy gong or the shrill of a clashing symbol.
Singing occurs typically in the native language of the congregation, and thus, the words of the song that fill my mind are understandable to me. On the other hand, singing in a tongue is like music without words. It appeals to emotions, but there needs to be interpretation to bring any benefit.
Can you imagine singing A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, and while those words are moving us, a brother in Christ next to you joins in the singing in Arabic? Then, behind you, a sister in Christ begins to sing in a Chinese dialect, and so on. The music of the congregation turns into a loud noise. Out of respect for the Holy Spirit, the words of the tongue would be eloquent and beautiful and perfect in every way, but how would we know?
1 Corinthians 14:16 Expanded Translation
In other words, if you are praising God by the spirit, the one occupying the place of the ungifted, How will he say amen at your giving of thanks? Since he doesn't understand what you are saying.
The third illustration is giving testimony of praise to God. The members of the congregation who hear this in a tongue can't say AMEN. Amen is a shout of acclamation, "I believe it." Actually, the believer who speaks in a tongue can't say AMEN either. The only person who can say AMEN is the one to whom it would be directed. In this case, someone in the congregation who spoke that language or someone with the gift of interpretation could interpret the words and share the praise with the church members.
1 Corinthians 14:17 Expanded Translation
For indeed you are giving thanks well enough, but the other (member in the congregation) is not being edified.
It isn't worship if you pray and don't know what petition you asked God for. If you sing and you don't know what you are singing, it isn't worship. Worship must be coordinated with the mind. It must be intelligible, and it must make sense. Why so that all may be edified! After all, in public worship, we all are to participate.
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1 The most frequent Greek word for worship is PROSKUNEO [72 times], which means to hold God in the highest regard coupled with a sense of awe.
2 See Topic #14, The Second Argument Part 1.
3 The Greek word PNEUMA in this passage is that use whereby the function of the spiritual gift of tongues empowered by the Holy Spirit. Since the gift of tongues is a foreign language, the believer's mind would be flooded with words he does not understand; in fact, no one understands them, and herein lies the problem. Paul says, “My mind is unfruitful." He is pretty clear in verse 16 when he says, "How will the one who fills the place of the ungifted [do not have the gift of tongues] say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks since he does not know what you are saying. The principle of edification is violated in the case of praying, singing, and praising God in tongues.
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