SPEAKING FROM GOD ACCORDING TO I CORINTHIANS 14
By DMM, 11-6-09.
I deliberately didn’t use the term "prophecy" in the above section title, but rather “speaking from God”. During my recent research I was lead to closely scrutinize II Peter 1:21. My Greek interlinear displays the Greek along with the KJV and the NIV New Testaments. All three versions seem to say exactly the same thing. My purpose in that recent research was that I was trying to find out why some people were able to prophecy and not others. So, I was going to make my point that prophets had to be “holy men of God”, according to II Peter 1:21 (KJV). But, guess what! The NIV puts it, “men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit”. While the Greek interlinear puts it, “By the Spirit Holy being borne spoke from God men”.[1] The point that I’m making is that the Scripture doesn’t say Holy Men, but rather, that God has continuously used ordinary men and women. While we should realize that a calling or urging from God should be given utmost priority and treated in high esteem, we should not put the gifts of God on such a high plateau that they cannot be attained by those being called. Else such a teaching would be teaching contrary to God’s will; and such a teacher is therefore speaking against the Holy Spirit. I believe that speaking from God (prophecy) has been put on an unscriptural plateau by past and current clerically minded people who have been heavily ensnared by wrong teaching. Such people want to see apostleship and prophecy on stained glass windows, but not intruding upon their hearts and minds and daily lives. But I’ve been instructed by God to “Proclaim the power of God…to his people (the Church)” (Psalm 68:34 & 35).
I Corinthians 14:1 It’s important to understand that Chapters 12 through 14 are not separated into chapters in the original Greek, so the entire section of the Bible comprising these three chapters should be construed as the section explaining spiritual abilities. Chapter 12 stressed that God is not a “mute idol”; and while there’s diversity of spiritual abilities, there’s oneness through one empowering Holy Spirit. The Bible’s famous love chapter is introduced: “Yet according to excellence a way to you I show”[2]. This excellent way encompasses Paul’s position concerning the spiritual abilities. Paul’s position concerning the Holy Spirit’s manifestation in men contains four elements: 1.) “Eagerly desire the greater gifts” (I Corinthians 12:31); 2.) “Do not forbid” others to practice their abilities (I Corinthians 14:39); 3.) “Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way” (I Corinthians 14:40); 4.) Love should be the motivating factor in all Christian service (I Corinthians 13). This is Paul’s position. I accept it as my position, because it’s also God’s position (II Timothy 3:16).
So, the Bible’s famous New Testament prophecy chapter is introduced: “Pursue ye love, but desire eagerly the spiritual, and rather in order that ye may prophesy”.[3] (I Corinthians 14:1). I prefer the original Greek’s “pursue ye love” rather than the less intense verb “follow” which is used in the KJV and NIV. Paul’s position (which is my position, and ought to be your position) is that love has to be the motivating factor in Christian ministry. Once that motivation of love has been accomplished by God, then we should understand that God is not a “mute idol”, and “to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it” (Ephesians 4:7). But we cannot get the cart before the horse, love must be the motivating factor not spiritual abilities as was the case with Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8:9 & 10). Neither can the motivating factor be the maintenance of your place in your denomination’s pecking order. Just as birds are zoological, pecking orders are of the flesh (“sarkos”, meaning beastial in the Greek, John 3:7). “They that are in the flesh (“sarki”) cannot please God” (Romans 8:8). By extension, then, the concept of carnal actions versus Spirit driven actions would also question religious practices motivated by herd instinct, schooling like fish, and accepting the law of the wolf pack.
I Corinthians 14:2 & 3 These two verses are spelling out the difference in operational characteristics between tongues and prophecy. Please note two things regarding prophecy. As in II Peter 1:21 (cited above), prophecy is defined as normal men speaking from God to men. Secondly, the reason why prophecy is given to the Church by God is “their strengthening, encouragement and comfort”.
I Corinthians 14:4 The main New Testament function of prophecy, edification, is again stated here. Vines[4] has the word “edifies” as “to build a house… whether literally, or figuratively”, and also, “promoting the spiritual growth and development of character of believers”. Has edification suddenly disappeared as a need of the local gathering?! Then why teach that prophecy has disappeared? Please note that prophecy edifies “a church”, as opposed to an individual.
I Corinthians 14:5 Here Paul succinctly states that he’d “rather have you prophesy” than speak in tongues. In terms of contribution to Christ’s work, “he who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified”. This agrees with the consideration that tongues, as practiced in the first century was actually a form of prophecy (Acts 2:17). If you prophesy and nobody even understands what’s been said. Then, what are you doing except causing confusion? I believe all prophecy must include a means by which the hearers can understand, which is the crux of Paul’s problem with the Corinthians who were speaking in tongues.
I Corinthians 14:6-19 Evidently the Corinthians were having problems with carnality of various sorts (I Corinthians 3:3 & 4), and this carnality boiled over into their meetings, so that they were publicly speaking in tongues not caring that there was no interpretation or communication of what was spoken. Paul had to address this disorder. His position is that tongues do not edify the church; and “since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church” (vs. 12). Again, I have to accept Paul’s position on these matters. Note that Paul lays down simple rules for prophecy and tongues, but carefully states, “Do not forbid speaking in tongues” (vs. 39). Paul states what he’d rather that the believers do, but nowhere does he forbid regarding the Holy Spirit’s manifestations.
I Corinthians 14:22 “Prophecy is for believers not for unbelievers.” This verse is similar to Romans 1:5 which says, “Through him and for his name sake we have received grace and apostleship”. Prophecy and apostleship are for us, the believers. They are ours collectively as the Church of Jesus Christ. You, yourself, might not have the gift of prophecy or apostleship, but as a member of Christ’s Church, you do. These gifts were given that “God might dwell there” (Psalm 68:18), among his Church. So, please don’t allow some cleric, who knows little concerning the true grace of God, to hustle you out of that which God has freely given you. “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (I Peter 1:18 & 19). Has God called his Church to an “empty way of life”? No! Exact opposite! “You were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers”. So, God gives us a promise “that they might have life and to have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Paul drives the point home in I Timothy 1:13&14 when he says, “Even though I was a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” A wise Christian does well to understand that the fulfillment of the abundant life promise comes through the manifested grace of God. But how can we have an abundant life, if we resist the grace of God? And, how can the Church realize and accept the manifestation of God’s grace when there are preachers teaching against the grace of God? Don’t be discouraged. God has continuously manifested His grace in His Church for thousands of years in the midst of intense persecution and some of the worst teaching one can fathom. Sadly, this persecution and bad teaching came from people calling themselves Christians, but walking in the flesh. Of course, if a person is not born again of the Spirit of God, then they have no Spirit to walk by, and must continuously walk in the flesh (Galatians 5:16-25).
I Corinthians 14:24 & 25 “…Comes in while everybody is prophesying”. This describes the methodology for prophecy in the first century gatherings. Please note that the local gathering did not give audience to only one speaker, rather, everyone was free to prophesy as the Lord leads. What was the result of this method of gathering? Not only was the local gathering edified, but outsiders would say “God is really among you!”. The Lord, through Psalm 68:18 (and Ephesians 4:7-13), stated the exact same thing in his reason for giving the Spiritual abilities to the Church: “That you O Lord might dwell there”. God really is among the believers, not just as a somewhat indiscernible Spirit, and not only as our Savior, but also as the Spirit of power manifesting himself through the Spiritual abilities. Shall local gatherings, then, have meetings in which just anybody can get up and speak? Well, yes, because why would the Holy Spirit lead someone to speak, if He didn’t want the person to speak? Understand that the Holy Spirit is never inappropriate; but His fiery glory certainly feels uncomfortable to our fleshly nature.
I Corinthians 14:26-35 This passage gives instructions for orderly gatherings. The thought of a gathering at which many people spoke as lead by the Spirit seems as if it would be disorderly. Well, this passage addresses that concern. I do believe that this is still God’s pattern for the local gatherings of believers even today. Here are some of the Lord’s teaching brought out herein regarding local gatherings:
1. “When you come together”- This connotes that these teachings are not just for Sunday meetings, but focusing on when “the whole church comes together” (vs. 23).
2. There’s nothing in this passage to convince me that this is an exhaustive description of all that needs to be done in a local meeting. Where’s the announcements? Where’s the breaking of bread? When’s the prayer meeting? Instead, the actions being discussed are those which require the leading of the Holy Spirit. These are: giving out a psalm/ hymn, a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, an interpretation (of a tongue), a prophecy. Consider. If you’re going to have disorder, it’s not going to be in those actions which have a natural order built in to them such as anouncements or breaking of bread. So, Paul is addressing the spiritual (I Corinthians 12:1).
3. Paul states that two or three prophets, or people prophesying through interpretation of tongues, should speak. (Tongues is meant to be a form of prophecy according to this passage and Acts 2: 17 & 18). If a revelation comes to one who is sitting down, the one speaking should stop, giving place to the Holy Spirit. You might say that this will never work. However, I attended a church having open meetings for nineteen years, and it’s not disorderly. Your statements will be under the inspection of the entire gathering. If something said is false or inappropriate the believers will lovingly let you know. Consider. Ask someone who is used to speaking for forty-five minutes at a time. “How much attention can you obtain from your audience/” He’ll probably say less than 50%. Now consider two or three people in that same time frame (45 minutes) claiming that they’re led to speak by the Lord. I’d seek to give them all of my attention. “And the others should weigh carefully what is said”- God is functional in His grace. The Lord knows the limits of our abilities to absorb His teaching, and so limits the speakers to three at most; and we should weigh such prophecy carefully. God speaks for a reason.
4. Let’s not forget why prophesy and teaching is given: “So that all may be instructed and encouraged” and therein be edified.
5. “The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of the prophets, for God is not a God of disorder, but of peace.” Essentially, this is saying that the Holy Spirit is never inappropriate, and prophets can control when and in what manner they speak. From the perspective of someone receiving a prophecy, though, “the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God” (Deuteronomy 4:24). And, many fleshly people use inappropriateness as a reason to discard the Lord’s advice from God’s servants, whom God has raised up to correct such people. Since the flesh is in continual warfare with the Spirit of God, God’s Holy Spirit will always seem inappropriate to carnally minded people. However, Godly minded believers (not carnally minded) can discern what constitutes inappropriate conduct by other believers.
6. Verses 34 & 35 state that women should remain silent in the church and wait until they get home to ask questions. The concept here is that the local gathering of the believers is not to be taken lightly, and that we should recognize God’s presence there, and conduct ourselves in a reverential manner.
I Corinthians 14:39-40 The chapter ends with Paul stating his position on prophecy and tongues, but his position can be transferred to any of the spiritual abilities. Paul’s position on spiritual abilities summarily contains four elements: 1.) “Be eager to prophesy”, 2.) “Do not forbid speaking in tongues”, 3.) “Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way”, 4.) Love should be the motivating factor in all Christian service (I Corinthians 13). This is Paul’s position, and therefore God’s position and it should be our position too.
END HOME
[1] Alfred Marshall, The Interlinear KJV-NIV Parallel New Testament in Greek and English (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Corp., 1975) pgs. 698-699.
[2] Ibid; p. 511.
[3] Ibid, p. 513.
[4] W.E. Vine, Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Old Tappan, New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1981) Volume 2, p. 18.
By DMM, 11-6-09.
I deliberately didn’t use the term "prophecy" in the above section title, but rather “speaking from God”. During my recent research I was lead to closely scrutinize II Peter 1:21. My Greek interlinear displays the Greek along with the KJV and the NIV New Testaments. All three versions seem to say exactly the same thing. My purpose in that recent research was that I was trying to find out why some people were able to prophecy and not others. So, I was going to make my point that prophets had to be “holy men of God”, according to II Peter 1:21 (KJV). But, guess what! The NIV puts it, “men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit”. While the Greek interlinear puts it, “By the Spirit Holy being borne spoke from God men”.[1] The point that I’m making is that the Scripture doesn’t say Holy Men, but rather, that God has continuously used ordinary men and women. While we should realize that a calling or urging from God should be given utmost priority and treated in high esteem, we should not put the gifts of God on such a high plateau that they cannot be attained by those being called. Else such a teaching would be teaching contrary to God’s will; and such a teacher is therefore speaking against the Holy Spirit. I believe that speaking from God (prophecy) has been put on an unscriptural plateau by past and current clerically minded people who have been heavily ensnared by wrong teaching. Such people want to see apostleship and prophecy on stained glass windows, but not intruding upon their hearts and minds and daily lives. But I’ve been instructed by God to “Proclaim the power of God…to his people (the Church)” (Psalm 68:34 & 35).
I Corinthians 14:1 It’s important to understand that Chapters 12 through 14 are not separated into chapters in the original Greek, so the entire section of the Bible comprising these three chapters should be construed as the section explaining spiritual abilities. Chapter 12 stressed that God is not a “mute idol”; and while there’s diversity of spiritual abilities, there’s oneness through one empowering Holy Spirit. The Bible’s famous love chapter is introduced: “Yet according to excellence a way to you I show”[2]. This excellent way encompasses Paul’s position concerning the spiritual abilities. Paul’s position concerning the Holy Spirit’s manifestation in men contains four elements: 1.) “Eagerly desire the greater gifts” (I Corinthians 12:31); 2.) “Do not forbid” others to practice their abilities (I Corinthians 14:39); 3.) “Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way” (I Corinthians 14:40); 4.) Love should be the motivating factor in all Christian service (I Corinthians 13). This is Paul’s position. I accept it as my position, because it’s also God’s position (II Timothy 3:16).
So, the Bible’s famous New Testament prophecy chapter is introduced: “Pursue ye love, but desire eagerly the spiritual, and rather in order that ye may prophesy”.[3] (I Corinthians 14:1). I prefer the original Greek’s “pursue ye love” rather than the less intense verb “follow” which is used in the KJV and NIV. Paul’s position (which is my position, and ought to be your position) is that love has to be the motivating factor in Christian ministry. Once that motivation of love has been accomplished by God, then we should understand that God is not a “mute idol”, and “to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it” (Ephesians 4:7). But we cannot get the cart before the horse, love must be the motivating factor not spiritual abilities as was the case with Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8:9 & 10). Neither can the motivating factor be the maintenance of your place in your denomination’s pecking order. Just as birds are zoological, pecking orders are of the flesh (“sarkos”, meaning beastial in the Greek, John 3:7). “They that are in the flesh (“sarki”) cannot please God” (Romans 8:8). By extension, then, the concept of carnal actions versus Spirit driven actions would also question religious practices motivated by herd instinct, schooling like fish, and accepting the law of the wolf pack.
I Corinthians 14:2 & 3 These two verses are spelling out the difference in operational characteristics between tongues and prophecy. Please note two things regarding prophecy. As in II Peter 1:21 (cited above), prophecy is defined as normal men speaking from God to men. Secondly, the reason why prophecy is given to the Church by God is “their strengthening, encouragement and comfort”.
I Corinthians 14:4 The main New Testament function of prophecy, edification, is again stated here. Vines[4] has the word “edifies” as “to build a house… whether literally, or figuratively”, and also, “promoting the spiritual growth and development of character of believers”. Has edification suddenly disappeared as a need of the local gathering?! Then why teach that prophecy has disappeared? Please note that prophecy edifies “a church”, as opposed to an individual.
I Corinthians 14:5 Here Paul succinctly states that he’d “rather have you prophesy” than speak in tongues. In terms of contribution to Christ’s work, “he who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified”. This agrees with the consideration that tongues, as practiced in the first century was actually a form of prophecy (Acts 2:17). If you prophesy and nobody even understands what’s been said. Then, what are you doing except causing confusion? I believe all prophecy must include a means by which the hearers can understand, which is the crux of Paul’s problem with the Corinthians who were speaking in tongues.
I Corinthians 14:6-19 Evidently the Corinthians were having problems with carnality of various sorts (I Corinthians 3:3 & 4), and this carnality boiled over into their meetings, so that they were publicly speaking in tongues not caring that there was no interpretation or communication of what was spoken. Paul had to address this disorder. His position is that tongues do not edify the church; and “since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church” (vs. 12). Again, I have to accept Paul’s position on these matters. Note that Paul lays down simple rules for prophecy and tongues, but carefully states, “Do not forbid speaking in tongues” (vs. 39). Paul states what he’d rather that the believers do, but nowhere does he forbid regarding the Holy Spirit’s manifestations.
I Corinthians 14:22 “Prophecy is for believers not for unbelievers.” This verse is similar to Romans 1:5 which says, “Through him and for his name sake we have received grace and apostleship”. Prophecy and apostleship are for us, the believers. They are ours collectively as the Church of Jesus Christ. You, yourself, might not have the gift of prophecy or apostleship, but as a member of Christ’s Church, you do. These gifts were given that “God might dwell there” (Psalm 68:18), among his Church. So, please don’t allow some cleric, who knows little concerning the true grace of God, to hustle you out of that which God has freely given you. “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (I Peter 1:18 & 19). Has God called his Church to an “empty way of life”? No! Exact opposite! “You were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers”. So, God gives us a promise “that they might have life and to have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Paul drives the point home in I Timothy 1:13&14 when he says, “Even though I was a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” A wise Christian does well to understand that the fulfillment of the abundant life promise comes through the manifested grace of God. But how can we have an abundant life, if we resist the grace of God? And, how can the Church realize and accept the manifestation of God’s grace when there are preachers teaching against the grace of God? Don’t be discouraged. God has continuously manifested His grace in His Church for thousands of years in the midst of intense persecution and some of the worst teaching one can fathom. Sadly, this persecution and bad teaching came from people calling themselves Christians, but walking in the flesh. Of course, if a person is not born again of the Spirit of God, then they have no Spirit to walk by, and must continuously walk in the flesh (Galatians 5:16-25).
I Corinthians 14:24 & 25 “…Comes in while everybody is prophesying”. This describes the methodology for prophecy in the first century gatherings. Please note that the local gathering did not give audience to only one speaker, rather, everyone was free to prophesy as the Lord leads. What was the result of this method of gathering? Not only was the local gathering edified, but outsiders would say “God is really among you!”. The Lord, through Psalm 68:18 (and Ephesians 4:7-13), stated the exact same thing in his reason for giving the Spiritual abilities to the Church: “That you O Lord might dwell there”. God really is among the believers, not just as a somewhat indiscernible Spirit, and not only as our Savior, but also as the Spirit of power manifesting himself through the Spiritual abilities. Shall local gatherings, then, have meetings in which just anybody can get up and speak? Well, yes, because why would the Holy Spirit lead someone to speak, if He didn’t want the person to speak? Understand that the Holy Spirit is never inappropriate; but His fiery glory certainly feels uncomfortable to our fleshly nature.
I Corinthians 14:26-35 This passage gives instructions for orderly gatherings. The thought of a gathering at which many people spoke as lead by the Spirit seems as if it would be disorderly. Well, this passage addresses that concern. I do believe that this is still God’s pattern for the local gatherings of believers even today. Here are some of the Lord’s teaching brought out herein regarding local gatherings:
1. “When you come together”- This connotes that these teachings are not just for Sunday meetings, but focusing on when “the whole church comes together” (vs. 23).
2. There’s nothing in this passage to convince me that this is an exhaustive description of all that needs to be done in a local meeting. Where’s the announcements? Where’s the breaking of bread? When’s the prayer meeting? Instead, the actions being discussed are those which require the leading of the Holy Spirit. These are: giving out a psalm/ hymn, a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, an interpretation (of a tongue), a prophecy. Consider. If you’re going to have disorder, it’s not going to be in those actions which have a natural order built in to them such as anouncements or breaking of bread. So, Paul is addressing the spiritual (I Corinthians 12:1).
3. Paul states that two or three prophets, or people prophesying through interpretation of tongues, should speak. (Tongues is meant to be a form of prophecy according to this passage and Acts 2: 17 & 18). If a revelation comes to one who is sitting down, the one speaking should stop, giving place to the Holy Spirit. You might say that this will never work. However, I attended a church having open meetings for nineteen years, and it’s not disorderly. Your statements will be under the inspection of the entire gathering. If something said is false or inappropriate the believers will lovingly let you know. Consider. Ask someone who is used to speaking for forty-five minutes at a time. “How much attention can you obtain from your audience/” He’ll probably say less than 50%. Now consider two or three people in that same time frame (45 minutes) claiming that they’re led to speak by the Lord. I’d seek to give them all of my attention. “And the others should weigh carefully what is said”- God is functional in His grace. The Lord knows the limits of our abilities to absorb His teaching, and so limits the speakers to three at most; and we should weigh such prophecy carefully. God speaks for a reason.
4. Let’s not forget why prophesy and teaching is given: “So that all may be instructed and encouraged” and therein be edified.
5. “The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of the prophets, for God is not a God of disorder, but of peace.” Essentially, this is saying that the Holy Spirit is never inappropriate, and prophets can control when and in what manner they speak. From the perspective of someone receiving a prophecy, though, “the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God” (Deuteronomy 4:24). And, many fleshly people use inappropriateness as a reason to discard the Lord’s advice from God’s servants, whom God has raised up to correct such people. Since the flesh is in continual warfare with the Spirit of God, God’s Holy Spirit will always seem inappropriate to carnally minded people. However, Godly minded believers (not carnally minded) can discern what constitutes inappropriate conduct by other believers.
6. Verses 34 & 35 state that women should remain silent in the church and wait until they get home to ask questions. The concept here is that the local gathering of the believers is not to be taken lightly, and that we should recognize God’s presence there, and conduct ourselves in a reverential manner.
I Corinthians 14:39-40 The chapter ends with Paul stating his position on prophecy and tongues, but his position can be transferred to any of the spiritual abilities. Paul’s position on spiritual abilities summarily contains four elements: 1.) “Be eager to prophesy”, 2.) “Do not forbid speaking in tongues”, 3.) “Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way”, 4.) Love should be the motivating factor in all Christian service (I Corinthians 13). This is Paul’s position, and therefore God’s position and it should be our position too.
END HOME
[1] Alfred Marshall, The Interlinear KJV-NIV Parallel New Testament in Greek and English (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Corp., 1975) pgs. 698-699.
[2] Ibid; p. 511.
[3] Ibid, p. 513.
[4] W.E. Vine, Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Old Tappan, New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1981) Volume 2, p. 18.