1 CORINTHIANS 14 vs 1 KJV-lite VERSES

Transcription

1 In this chapter more than any other in the New Testament, we find the Greek word: glossa which is the root of our word: glossary; and this word means tongue. Here, Paul uses glossa 16 times. In Genesis 10:5 we read, by these [the generations of the sons of Noah] were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; everyone after his tongue, after their families, in their nations. A Hebraic understanding of this word is found in the book of Proverbs where we read: a lying tongue; the flattery of the tongue; the tongue of the just; the argumentative tongue; the tongue of the wise is health; the tongue of the wise uses knowledge aright; a wholesome tongue is a tree of life; a liar gives ear to an evil tongue; he that has a perverse tongue; death and life are in the power of the tongue. Now the apostle Paul writes: 1 Follow after agape / the love of God our Father, and desire spirituality, but rather that you may prophesy / and we will learn more about this word in verse 3. 2 For he who speaks in an unknown tongue / 2 points to make, 1 st : the word unknown is in italics, which means it is added by translators in their attempt to be helpful. The word is not in the Greek. For he who speaks in a tongue / 2 nd : Paul in chapter 12 already spoke 4 times of the genos glossa, the different families of tongue which need an interpreter. In chapter 13, Paul speaks of the tongue of men and angels. In other words, I doubt they speak English in heaven; oh, those citizens are smart enough; they can speak English, but it s not the native language of heaven. You know on the day of Pentecost, if you lived in Jerusalem, there were more than 20 tongues spoken in the commons. In Los Angeles, there are more than 150 tongues spoken. Between one Swedish couple, who are relatives, they each speak 7 different languages. Well, Corinth was a busy commercial center, and Paul was not a babbling idiot. In many countries, it is common for many to speak 4, 5, 6 and more different tongues. Paul said For he who speaks in a tongue needing an interpreter / for example: he that speaks in Gaelic, needing an interpreter; speaks not to men, rather to God: for no one understands him / the Greek word is: akouo which means: to hear. Obviously, they hear the noise uttered from his lips slapping. For he speaks not to men, rather to God: for no one hears him / because Paul is talking about those who speak in a tongue, who need an interpreter. He is not talking about Dr. David Livingstone who didn t know the African dialects at first, but wherever he went the tribes would say, we understood him, because his overt love for them preceded his limited ability to communicate directly with them; howbeit in the spirit he speaks mysteries / musterion Paul says, even if someone speaks the hidden things of God; the deepest things of God the not obvious to understand things. 1 ilibros.net internacional 2012

2 In other words, it is like the person talking to a stranger, who suddenly starts talking LOUDER as if that will cause the individual to suddenly comprehend. Paul says, if you are speaking in a tongue needing an interpreter even a tongue spoken by the angels. You know, angels always came with clear messages to whomever they were speaking to. Here, Paul says, no matter how lofty or profound the subject, God isn t required to do what we lazy folk in the church refuse to do. Paul says, if you speak in a tongue needing an interpreter, then, get an interpreter. Verse 3 But prophesying speaks to men: /1 edification, and /2 exhortation, and /3 comfort / speaking words that build up; that give persuasive advice; and strengthen God s people. 4 Speaking a tongue / that needs an interpreter, edifies oneself / and here, it is as if Paul tells us, some people like to talk and sound important; just like some people who like to sing, or act or perform but in reality, they can t; but prophesying edifies the church / that Jesus is building. 5 I would / I desire that you all spoke with a tongue needing an interpreter / even though he already said: not all speak with tongues; but Paul knows, that to work with someone building up the church brings great joy within the community. but mallon / but to a greater degree that you all prophesied: for greater / meizon: far stronger, prophesying / speaking words that build up; that give persuasive advice; and strengthen God s people, than speaking a tongue needing an interpreter, except interpreting, that the church / that Jesus is building receives edifying. 6 Now, brethren, if I come to you speaking a tongue needing an interpreter, what profits you, except speaking to you either by revelation / this word: apoakalupsis always and only is associated with Jesus Christ, and making Him known. Paul takes the points he has been making to the Corinthians, and personalizes his concern. He says what profits you, except speaking to you 2 ilibros.net internacional 2012

3 by revelation or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine / in the church Jesus is building? And, Paul gives a common, familiar illustration 7 And if lifeless / inanimate instruments give sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinct sound, how will it be known what is piped or harped? / Perhaps, Paul is asking, how will we know if it is a song or a dance? Jesus said of the children in the marketplace: some sang a sad song and you did not mourn others sang a happy song and you did not dance! And Paul adds 8 For if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself to the battle? / How are we to prepare? Are we to advance into the fray? Or, are we to retreat and regroup? 9 So likewise ye, except you give by the tongue needing an interpreter words easy to understand, how can it be known what is spoken? for you speak into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of sounds in the world / let there be as many sounds, and languages, voices, dialects in the world as you can imagine, and none of them without meaning. 11 Therefore if I see not / if I perceive not the power of the sound / the meaning of the voice, I will be to the one speaking a barbarian; and the one speaking a barbarian to me. 12 Even so you, since you are zealous of spirit, seek what abounds to the edifying of the church / that Jesus is building. 13 Wherefore speaking in a tongue needing an interpreter pray that one interprets. 14 For if I pray in a tongue needing an interpreter, 3 ilibros.net internacional 2012

4 my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the mind also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the mind also. 16 Else when you bless / the word is: eulogeo literally, when you speak good words, with the spirit, how will the one occupying the place of the unlearned say Amen! at you giving of thanks / how is he supposed to be thankful to God? seeing he sees not / he does not perceive what you say? 17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified / which is the purpose for speaking in the church that Jesus is building. 18 I thank God, I speak with a tongue needing an interpreter more than you all: 19 Yet in the church / that Jesus is building I would / I desire speaking five words with my mind, that others are taught also, than ten thousand words in a tongue needing an interpreter 20 Brethren, be not a young child in understanding: howbeit in malice be you newborns, but in understanding be perfect / grow up; be complete. 21 In the law is written, In other tongues / in heteroglossos; Paul is quoting Isaiah 28:11-12 In other tongues / like Gaelic or Irish or Swahili or Bahasa Indonesian... needing an interpreter and other lips speaking to this people; even so they will not hear Me, says the Lord. 22 Wherefore tongues needing an interpreter are for a sign, not to pisteuo / not to those faithing; those acting in faith, but apistos / but to no-faith people; to those who do not believe: 4 ilibros.net internacional 2012

5 but prophesying / speaking words that build up; that give persuasive advice; and strengthen God s people is not for apistos / is not for no-faith people; not for those who do not believe, but for pisteuo / for those faithing; for those acting in faith. 23 Therefore if the whole church / that Jesus is building, comes together to one place, and all speak with tongues needing an interpreter, and there enters idiotes / the unlearned idiots, or apistos / the no-faith people; those who do not believe, will they not say mainomai? / will they not say: you are maniacs; you are nuts! 24 But if all prophesying / speaking words that build up; that give persuasive advice; and that strengthen God s people, and there enters one apistos / there enters one who does not believe, or one idiotes, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all / in other words, this stranger, even this idiot hears what is being said to build up the church; and is convicted and senses his utter condemnation: 25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face worshiping God, and reports / to others that truly God is in you. 26 How is it then, brethren? when you come together, everyone of you has a psalm / a spiritual song to sing, has a doctrine / a religious truth to teach, has a tongue needing an interpreter, has a revelation / has some truth, some explanation of the Lord Jesus, has an interpretation. Let all be done to edify / the church Jesus is building. 5 ilibros.net internacional 2012

6 27 If anyone speaking a tongue needing an interpreter, let two, or the most three / that day, in that meeting, and that by course / separately and in order; and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, sigao / keep silent; this word is used 3 times in this chapter; apparently, there was a lot of noise and distraction going on when the Corinthians came together. Paul says But if there is no interpreter, keep silent in the church / that Jesus is building; and the one speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others discern / Paul uses this word 4 other times in this letter: he calls the Corinthians when they gather together to be more discerning about the things of God. 30 If anything be revealed to another who sits by / if, in the course of edifying the church, someone has clarity of truth revealed; you know, disciples doing their math who have an insight, let the first sigao / in other words: let the first one who was prophesying finish and stop talking; and let the added insight be shared. let the first keep silent. 31 For all are capable / the word is: dunamai; all have the power, to prophesy accordingly, that all manthano / which is a form of matheo; which is often translated to learn; but where we also get the idea of doing our math problems, and putting it all together, and all be comforted / and all be spiritually strengthened. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets / in other words, nobody can say, they cannot control their inclinations. Paul has spelled out an orderliness that was expected. Those who can t stop talking are not guided by the Spirit. The silence of God, His silence is evidence that what He already said is important to consider. He is not like us. He doesn t need to keep chattering away. 6 ilibros.net internacional 2012

7 33 For God is not the author of confusion / in Luke 21, Jesus said, in the last days, we will hear of wars and commotions -- same word! He was right; the TV is filled with that stuff. But He added, Be not terrified. God is not one to inspire fear and doubt in His people, God is not a disturber of order not a promoter of disorder and confusion / that is the work of our brilliant 21 st century politicians and their egoistic designs mostly in concert with the roman agenda. God is not of confusion, but of peace, as in all church of the saints / that Jesus is building. 34 Let your gune / in Greek: this word is the only word used to translate 4 words: women, woman, wives, and wife. Various translators have greatly influenced the history of the church with this verse; but let our traditions not make void the word of God. That Jesus will have the queen of the south -- the Queen of Sheba from Arabia rise up in the judgment and condemn the male dominated generation of His days. is a sobering statement. Paul says Let your wives sigao / 3 rd time this word is used. Paul just said to the 2 or 3 speaking in a tongue needing a translator if there was no translator keep silent. And if 2 or 3 are prophesying, edifying the church and someone has an insight, or revealed truth -- an Ah-ha moment; then the exhorter should first conclude his thought and then keep silent. And because the Corinthians didn t have microphones and public-address systems, it seems Paul was a little irked. I mean, have you gone to a service where kids were running around? Or worse, the preacher does not proclaim the word of God? I have! In those undisciplined congregations it s best to keep silent. Paul observing the chaos in Corinth, said Let your wives keep silent in the church / that Jesus is building: for it is not permitted to them to speak / and say, Honey, what are they talking about? And did you know blah, blah, blah? And what do you really want for lunch? but they are commanded to be under obedience / these 7 English words is one Greek word: hupotasso; it simply means to submit. But it truly sounds like a legalistic hardhead of a translator angry with women or his wife translated this verse. So, let s hear Paul again: but submit as also says the law / this hupotasso word is used 4 times in this chapter and the next. Paul just said: 1. The spirits are subject to the prophet. Same word! 2. 1 Cor.15:28 says and when all things will be subdued to Him. Same word! 3. The verse continues then will the Son also himself be subject to God. Same word! 7 ilibros.net internacional 2012

8 So, wives don t panic! 35 And if they learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for wives to speak in the church / that Jesus is building. Well, it s a shame that so many hirelings occupy pulpits, and the Word of God is no longer preached in most congregations now days, isn t it? And it s a shame that people are not welcomed to attend congregations now days especially if you re not like them, isn t it? And if the wives were chatting more than learning it is a shame, too. 36 What? Did the word of God come from you? or came it only to you? / in other words, Paul asks the Corinthians: Are you the mother church? Did God s word first emanate from you? Or, do you think you are the only ones who believe? You know, there are institutions through the generations who come along thinking they are the only. Paul says to those hard heads in every generation, think again! 37 If any thinks / if any is of the opinion; any supposes to be a prophet, or spiritual then acknowledge / then become thoroughly familiar with; get to know that what I write to you are the commandments of the Lord / and those commandments are simple: 1. Love God our Father above all others; and 2. As Jesus loved us, love one another. That s it! 38 But if any is ignorant, be ignorant. 39 Wherefore brethren, covet / this word is: zeloo; strongly desire: be jealous, burn with zeal to prophesy/ to speak words that build up; that give persuasive advice; and strengthen God s people, and forbid / and hinder and prevent sadly one of the favorite habits and practices in most congregations now days, hindering and preventing; but Paul says forbid not speaking with tongues needing an interpreter. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order. In Barnes Notes we read: Nothing can be clearer than the sentiments of Paul on this: That public worship should be in a language understood by the people; the language which they commonly employ; to the building up of the body of Christ! Well does the Roman church know, that if the Bible were given to the people, and public worship conducted in a language which they could understand, the system would soon fall. It could not live in the midst of light. It is a system which lives and thrives only in darkness. The warning of John in Revelation 17 is to the faithless Whore; the Mother of harlots. Apparently, there are others who also want to imitate their mother s faithless tricks. 8 ilibros.net internacional 2012