Prophecy and Tongues
Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 1Ti 4:141Co 14:391Co 16:141Co 12:11Th 5:20Heb 12:141Co 14:3-51Co 13:13 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit. Mrk 16:17Act 10:46Act 19:6Act 2:4-111Co 13:21Co 2:101Co 14:9-11Col 1:26-27 But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort. 1Co 14:121Ti 4:13Jud 1:202Ti 4:2Eph 6:221Co 14:26Rom 14:19Tit 1:9 The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 1Co 14:221Co 14:26Mrk 16:171Co 14:17-191Co 14:31Co 13:21Co 14:121Co 14:5
I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified. 1Co 12:101Co 12:28-301Co 13:1Mrk 16:17Num 11:28-291Co 14:3-41Co 13:41Co 14:1
Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? Eph 1:172Ti 3:16Rom 6:171Co 14:11Co 14:26-302Jn 1:92Pe 3:18Heb 13:9 Even in the case of lifeless instruments, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone recognize the tune they are playing unless the notes are distinct? 1Co 13:11Co 14:8Num 10:2-10Luk 7:32Mat 11:17 Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle? Num 10:9Ezk 33:3-6Jer 4:19Amo 3:6Isa 27:13Job 39:24-25Jol 2:1Neh 4:18-21 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 1Co 9:26
Assuredly, there are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If, then, I do not know the meaning of someone’s language, I am a foreigner 1to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. Act 28:21Co 14:21Act 28:4Col 3:11Rom 1:14
It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church. 1Co 14:261Co 12:311Co 14:3-41Co 14:11Co 12:7Tit 2:14 Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. Jhn 14:13-14Mrk 11:241Co 12:30Act 1:141Co 12:101Co 14:27-28Act 4:29-31Act 8:15 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 1Co 14:21Co 14:15-161Co 14:19
What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. Col 3:16Eph 6:18Eph 5:17-20Jhn 4:23-24Jud 1:20Psa 47:7Rom 12:1-21Co 14:19 Otherwise, if you speak a blessing in spirit, 2 how can someone who is uninstructed say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 1Ch 16:36Psa 106:48Rev 5:141Co 11:24Deu 27:15-26Jer 28:6Neh 8:6Num 5:22 You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other one is not edified. 1Co 14:41Co 14:6
I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 1Co 1:4-61Co 4:7 But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. 1Co 14:21-221Co 14:4
Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. 1Pe 2:21Co 13:11Rom 16:19Mat 18:31Co 2:62Pe 3:18Eph 4:14-15Php 1:9 It is written in the Law: Isa 28:11-12Jer 5:15Deu 28:49Rom 3:19Jhn 10:34
“By strange tongues and foreign lips
I will speak to this people,
but even then they will not listen to Me,
says the Lord.” 3
Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. Act 2:6-12Mrk 16:171Ti 1:91Co 14:1Act 2:32-36
So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who are uninstructed or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds? Act 2:131Co 11:18Act 26:24Hos 9:7Jhn 10:20 But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all, Act 2:37Heb 4:12-131Co 2:15Jhn 4:29Jhn 1:47-49 and the secrets of his heart will be made known. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!” Isa 45:14Zec 8:23Deu 9:18Gen 44:14Isa 60:14Luk 17:16Luk 5:8Psa 72:11
Orderly Worship
What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church. Eph 5:191Co 12:7-10Rom 14:191Th 5:11Eph 4:161Co 14:12-13Eph 4:291Co 14:40
If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret. 1Co 14:26 But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God.
Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 1Co 12:101Th 5:19-211Jn 4:1-31Co 14:39 And if a revelation comes to someone who is seated, the first speaker should stop. 1Th 5:19-20Job 32:11Job 33:31-331Co 14:261Co 14:6Job 32:15-20 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 1Co 14:31Th 5:111Th 5:141Co 14:191Co 14:351Th 4:182Co 1:42Co 7:6-7 The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 1Jn 4:1Act 4:19-201Co 14:29-301Sa 10:10-131Sa 19:19-242Ki 2:32Ki 2:5Jer 20:9 For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints. 4 Jas 3:17-181Co 14:402Th 3:16Gal 5:221Co 11:16Heb 13:201Co 7:17Rom 15:33
Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 1Ti 2:11-12Gen 3:16Num 30:3-131Co 14:35Col 3:18Tit 2:51Co 11:51Pe 3:1-6 If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church. 5 1Pe 3:7Eph 5:12Eph 5:25-271Co 11:141Co 11:61Co 14:34
Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 1Co 4:71Th 1:82Co 10:13-16Act 13:1-3Act 15:35-36Act 16:9-10Act 17:1Act 17:10-11 If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command. 1Jn 4:62Co 10:72Pe 3:2Jud 1:171Th 4:1-81Co 13:1-31Co 7:251Co 8:2 But if anyone ignores this, he himself will be ignored. 6 2Ti 4:3-41Ti 6:3-5Mat 7:6Rev 22:11-12Hos 4:17Mat 15:14
So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 1Co 12:311Co 14:11Th 5:201Co 14:24-251Co 14:31Co 14:5 But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner. Col 2:5Tit 1:51Co 14:26-331Co 11:34Rom 13:13