Signs of the times requires us all to discern His words by Him in what Paul is saying in 1 Corinthians 14th chapter.
James 1:[SUP]5 [/SUP]If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Hebrews 4:[SUP]12 [/SUP]For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.[SUP] 13 [/SUP]Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.[SUP] 14 [/SUP]Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.[SUP] 15 [/SUP]For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.[SUP]16 [/SUP]Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
So pray NORMALLY for wisdom, understanding, and discernment from the Lord Jesus Christ to apply Paul's words rightly.
And once again, I am telling you that you took verse 2 out of context for what Paul was trying to say about the gift of prophesy as being the gift to seek if any one was being zealous for spiritual gift. From verse 1 is the topic and verse 2 onward is Paul explaining why prophesy is better by explaining why tongues is not because it is not a stand alone gift that it HAS to come with interpretation. YOU KEEP making an exception for tongues to be used without interpretation when that is YOU reading that kind of tongue into Paul's message by taking verse 2 out of context.
1 Corinthians 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.[SUP] 2 [/SUP]For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.[SUP] 3 [/SUP]But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.[SUP] 4 [/SUP]He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.[SUP] 5 [/SUP]I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
That is Paul explaining why the gift of prophesy is better because tongues has to be interpreted for the church to receive edifying.
Get this... Paul continues to talk about that same kind of tongue referenced in verse 2 below.... as to why it is not nor will it ever be a stand alone gift as he explains tongues being done in the assembly.... including how you apply verse 28 to mean tongues can be done quietly when that is not what verse 28 is saying in keeping in line with any tongue being done as in heard in the assembly.
1 Corinthians 14:[SUP]6 [/SUP]Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? 7And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? [SUP]8 [/SUP]For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? [SUP]9 [/SUP]So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. [SUP]10 [/SUP]There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. [SUP]11 [/SUP]Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. [SUP]12 [/SUP]Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. [SUP]13 [/SUP]Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. [SUP]14 [/SUP]For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. [SUP]15 [/SUP]What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. [SUP]16 [/SUP]Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? [SUP]17 [/SUP]For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
So here is Paul saying that his own understanding is unfruitful because no one has interpreted his tongue yet and so he would pray for the interpretation to pray for the understanding to be truly edified as well as those around him.
Then Paul spoke some more in preferring prophesy over tongues.... and explained why tongues is not a stand alone gift for why prophesy is better.
1 Corinthians 14:[SUP]18 [/SUP]I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:[SUP] 19 [/SUP]Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.[SUP]
And then to prevent anyone from taking that verse the wrong way, he explained further what God's gift of tongues are for to explain again why the gift of prophesy is better because God's gift of tongues has to come with interpretation.
1 Corinthians 14:20 [/SUP]Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.[SUP] 21 [/SUP]In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
More proof ? Read on...as to why prophesy is better and when tongues is done, it is to be interpreted for edifying.
1 Corinthians 14:[SUP]22 [/SUP]Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. [SUP]23[/SUP]If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? [SUP]24 [/SUP]But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: [SUP]25 [/SUP]And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. [SUP]26 [/SUP]How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
That last verse was not signifying tongues was doing all that but an example of things not being done in order & decency for the purpose of edifying. Then Paul gave instructions on the proper order of edifying one another by use of tongues.
1 Corinthians 14:[SUP]27 [/SUP]If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. [SUP]28 [/SUP]But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
Now when you have believers standing up, speaking one at a time with two or three to have one other to interpret that tongue, and if someone stood up and spoke but there is no interpretation, that was Paul way of saying that he is a foreigner speaking out of turn for why there is no interpretation and that is why he is to keep SILENCE because what he is saying, he understands it as God does too. Silence is not alllowing him to talk to himself and to God, but explaining how he was speaking as not manifested by the Holy Spirit because he is speaking to himself knowing what he is saying, as God understands what he is saying too, BUT he is not really speaking to himself nor to God when he is to be in silence.
That is how you are to read verse 2... because that is God's gift of tongues being manifested as the speaker does not know what he is saying, thus he does not understand it, but God does... not that he is speaking to God because this is being done in the church, as one speaking in mysteries since there are no mysteries to God. That was Paul comparing the gift of tongues against the gift of prophesy as to why it is NOT a stand alone gift that it has to come with interpretation for the edifying of the church. At no time did paul switched topic to explaining why tongues by itself is so much cooler than prophesy. That is opposing himself for why he was saying to believers to seek the gift of prophesy because tongues is not a stand alone gift as his argument has been the same throughout that chpater.
Look at the order for prophesying as to be done one at a time by two or three and let another judge it; the same format for speaking in tongues.
1 Corinthians 14:[SUP]29 [/SUP]Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. [SUP]30 [/SUP]If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. [SUP]31 [/SUP]For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
Paul goes on to explain what happens when someone may speak out of turn in this situation as well so that they may speak one by one so that all will learn.
Verse 28 is not about God's gift of tongues being spoken, but about when a foreigner speaks out of turn. If you really believed it was about the Holy Spirit praying in tongues, then who is Paul to give such an instruction for the Holy Spirit to be in silence? If tongues were to be used for prayer language by the Holy Spirit at all... then that would be the time for Paul to say that when tongues comes without interpretation, it is prayer time for the Holy Spirit, BUT he did not say that.
1 Corinthians 14:[SUP]32 [/SUP]And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. [SUP]33 [/SUP]For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
So at no tiime will the Holy Spirit be confusing by switching from speaking unto the people mode to speaking unto God mode as if speaking unto God mode has to be done in a secet language, thus not edifying to the tongue speaker at all.
And to read that chapter properly... you have to read the precedent in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 for what any manifestations of the gifts are to do in the assembly... to profit the body withal... and there is NO PLAIN TEACHING NOR REPORTED PRACTICE of tongues as a PRAYER LANGUAGE anywhere in the New Testament WITHOUT YOU reading YOUR tongues without interpretation INTO the scripture.
1 Corinthians 12:[SUP]4 [/SUP]Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. [SUP]5 [/SUP]And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
[SUP]6 [/SUP]And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
[SUP]7 [/SUP]But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
[SUP]8 [/SUP]For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
[SUP]9 [/SUP]To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
[SUP]10 [/SUP]To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
[SUP]11 [/SUP]But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
[SUP]12 [/SUP]For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
[SUP]13 [/SUP]For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
[SUP]14 [/SUP]For the body is not one member, but many.
In Acts 2nd chapter God's gift of tongues was used in ministry outreach as prophesied....in the assembly, instructions are given for why tongues would be manifested as it WILL come with interpretation to profit the body withal.
Paul said it. It is plain to read. Believers rationalize it as being something done only because of culture while ignoring it as a commandment of the Lord as we continue reading.
1 Corinthians 14:[SUP]34[/SUP]Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.[SUP] 35 [/SUP]And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.[SUP]36 [/SUP]What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?[SUP]37 [/SUP]If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.[SUP] 38 [/SUP]But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
Now a repeat to covet the gift of prophesy over all spiritual gifts but not to forbid tongues when it does come as it will come with interpretation for everything to be done in decency and order.
1 Corinthians 14:.[SUP]39 [/SUP]Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.[SUP]40 [/SUP]Let all things be done decently and in order.
That means the Holy Spirit will not break God's commandment to manifest tongues in women nor the gift of prophesy in women in the assembly.
That means tongues can be forbidden when coming from a woman and when there is no interpretation, it is a foreigner speaking out of turn which is why he is made to be silent in the assembly because that is not the Holy Spirit manifesting tongues when God's gift of tongues WILL come with interpretation.
This is why believers are not to believe every spirit but test them and the tongues these spirits bring. 1 John 4:1-7
James 1:[SUP]5 [/SUP]If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Hebrews 4:[SUP]12 [/SUP]For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.[SUP] 13 [/SUP]Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.[SUP] 14 [/SUP]Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.[SUP] 15 [/SUP]For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.[SUP]16 [/SUP]Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
So pray NORMALLY for wisdom, understanding, and discernment from the Lord Jesus Christ to apply Paul's words rightly.
And once again, I am telling you that you took verse 2 out of context for what Paul was trying to say about the gift of prophesy as being the gift to seek if any one was being zealous for spiritual gift. From verse 1 is the topic and verse 2 onward is Paul explaining why prophesy is better by explaining why tongues is not because it is not a stand alone gift that it HAS to come with interpretation. YOU KEEP making an exception for tongues to be used without interpretation when that is YOU reading that kind of tongue into Paul's message by taking verse 2 out of context.
1 Corinthians 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.[SUP] 2 [/SUP]For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.[SUP] 3 [/SUP]But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.[SUP] 4 [/SUP]He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.[SUP] 5 [/SUP]I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
That is Paul explaining why the gift of prophesy is better because tongues has to be interpreted for the church to receive edifying.
Get this... Paul continues to talk about that same kind of tongue referenced in verse 2 below.... as to why it is not nor will it ever be a stand alone gift as he explains tongues being done in the assembly.... including how you apply verse 28 to mean tongues can be done quietly when that is not what verse 28 is saying in keeping in line with any tongue being done as in heard in the assembly.
1 Corinthians 14:[SUP]6 [/SUP]Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? 7And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? [SUP]8 [/SUP]For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? [SUP]9 [/SUP]So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. [SUP]10 [/SUP]There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. [SUP]11 [/SUP]Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. [SUP]12 [/SUP]Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. [SUP]13 [/SUP]Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. [SUP]14 [/SUP]For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. [SUP]15 [/SUP]What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. [SUP]16 [/SUP]Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? [SUP]17 [/SUP]For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
So here is Paul saying that his own understanding is unfruitful because no one has interpreted his tongue yet and so he would pray for the interpretation to pray for the understanding to be truly edified as well as those around him.
Then Paul spoke some more in preferring prophesy over tongues.... and explained why tongues is not a stand alone gift for why prophesy is better.
1 Corinthians 14:[SUP]18 [/SUP]I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:[SUP] 19 [/SUP]Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.[SUP]
And then to prevent anyone from taking that verse the wrong way, he explained further what God's gift of tongues are for to explain again why the gift of prophesy is better because God's gift of tongues has to come with interpretation.
1 Corinthians 14:20 [/SUP]Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.[SUP] 21 [/SUP]In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
More proof ? Read on...as to why prophesy is better and when tongues is done, it is to be interpreted for edifying.
1 Corinthians 14:[SUP]22 [/SUP]Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. [SUP]23[/SUP]If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? [SUP]24 [/SUP]But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: [SUP]25 [/SUP]And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. [SUP]26 [/SUP]How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
That last verse was not signifying tongues was doing all that but an example of things not being done in order & decency for the purpose of edifying. Then Paul gave instructions on the proper order of edifying one another by use of tongues.
1 Corinthians 14:[SUP]27 [/SUP]If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. [SUP]28 [/SUP]But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
Now when you have believers standing up, speaking one at a time with two or three to have one other to interpret that tongue, and if someone stood up and spoke but there is no interpretation, that was Paul way of saying that he is a foreigner speaking out of turn for why there is no interpretation and that is why he is to keep SILENCE because what he is saying, he understands it as God does too. Silence is not alllowing him to talk to himself and to God, but explaining how he was speaking as not manifested by the Holy Spirit because he is speaking to himself knowing what he is saying, as God understands what he is saying too, BUT he is not really speaking to himself nor to God when he is to be in silence.
That is how you are to read verse 2... because that is God's gift of tongues being manifested as the speaker does not know what he is saying, thus he does not understand it, but God does... not that he is speaking to God because this is being done in the church, as one speaking in mysteries since there are no mysteries to God. That was Paul comparing the gift of tongues against the gift of prophesy as to why it is NOT a stand alone gift that it has to come with interpretation for the edifying of the church. At no time did paul switched topic to explaining why tongues by itself is so much cooler than prophesy. That is opposing himself for why he was saying to believers to seek the gift of prophesy because tongues is not a stand alone gift as his argument has been the same throughout that chpater.
Look at the order for prophesying as to be done one at a time by two or three and let another judge it; the same format for speaking in tongues.
1 Corinthians 14:[SUP]29 [/SUP]Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. [SUP]30 [/SUP]If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. [SUP]31 [/SUP]For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
Paul goes on to explain what happens when someone may speak out of turn in this situation as well so that they may speak one by one so that all will learn.
Verse 28 is not about God's gift of tongues being spoken, but about when a foreigner speaks out of turn. If you really believed it was about the Holy Spirit praying in tongues, then who is Paul to give such an instruction for the Holy Spirit to be in silence? If tongues were to be used for prayer language by the Holy Spirit at all... then that would be the time for Paul to say that when tongues comes without interpretation, it is prayer time for the Holy Spirit, BUT he did not say that.
1 Corinthians 14:[SUP]32 [/SUP]And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. [SUP]33 [/SUP]For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
So at no tiime will the Holy Spirit be confusing by switching from speaking unto the people mode to speaking unto God mode as if speaking unto God mode has to be done in a secet language, thus not edifying to the tongue speaker at all.
And to read that chapter properly... you have to read the precedent in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 for what any manifestations of the gifts are to do in the assembly... to profit the body withal... and there is NO PLAIN TEACHING NOR REPORTED PRACTICE of tongues as a PRAYER LANGUAGE anywhere in the New Testament WITHOUT YOU reading YOUR tongues without interpretation INTO the scripture.
1 Corinthians 12:[SUP]4 [/SUP]Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. [SUP]5 [/SUP]And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
[SUP]6 [/SUP]And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
[SUP]7 [/SUP]But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
[SUP]8 [/SUP]For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
[SUP]9 [/SUP]To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
[SUP]10 [/SUP]To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
[SUP]11 [/SUP]But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
[SUP]12 [/SUP]For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
[SUP]13 [/SUP]For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
[SUP]14 [/SUP]For the body is not one member, but many.
In Acts 2nd chapter God's gift of tongues was used in ministry outreach as prophesied....in the assembly, instructions are given for why tongues would be manifested as it WILL come with interpretation to profit the body withal.
Paul said it. It is plain to read. Believers rationalize it as being something done only because of culture while ignoring it as a commandment of the Lord as we continue reading.
1 Corinthians 14:[SUP]34[/SUP]Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.[SUP] 35 [/SUP]And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.[SUP]36 [/SUP]What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?[SUP]37 [/SUP]If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.[SUP] 38 [/SUP]But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
Now a repeat to covet the gift of prophesy over all spiritual gifts but not to forbid tongues when it does come as it will come with interpretation for everything to be done in decency and order.
1 Corinthians 14:.[SUP]39 [/SUP]Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.[SUP]40 [/SUP]Let all things be done decently and in order.
That means the Holy Spirit will not break God's commandment to manifest tongues in women nor the gift of prophesy in women in the assembly.
That means tongues can be forbidden when coming from a woman and when there is no interpretation, it is a foreigner speaking out of turn which is why he is made to be silent in the assembly because that is not the Holy Spirit manifesting tongues when God's gift of tongues WILL come with interpretation.
This is why believers are not to believe every spirit but test them and the tongues these spirits bring. 1 John 4:1-7
. . . . . . . .