It is interesting to note that the one chapter of the New Testament that extensively addresses the charismatic gifts opens with this statement: “Pursue love and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophecy” (1 Corinthians 14:1). This statement, of course, is building on 1 Cor. 13:13, which tells believers to abide in “faith, hope, and love,” the greatest of which is love.
Love must be at the forefront of our minds as we discuss spiritual gifts. Love after all is the “more excellent way” (1 Cor. 12:31) and the one virtue in 1 Cor. 13 that will not pass away. Thus as we come to the topic of the charismatic gifts, it is a helpful to remind ourselves that Paul is much more concerned with commanding believers to live in love toward one another than he is with encouraging the use of the charismatic gifts. That is not to say that the charismatic gifts are unimportant. They are important because 1 Corinthians 14 addresses them in some detail. But as we seek to make sense of the charismatic gifts, let’s not forget the threefold purpose of spiritual gifts—to glorify God, edify, and promote unity in the church (See Spiritual Gifts 101 and 201). Thus we must apply the threefold purpose of gifts to the charismatic gifts as well—any proper use of the charismatic gifts ought to fulfill this threefold purpose.
The later half of the book of 1 Corinthians addresses specific questions that the church at Corinth had likely asked Paul in a previous letter that they had written to him. Thus Paul addresses some very specific issues to the church at Corinth such as what to do about lawsuits among believers (1 Cor. 6), food sacrificed to idols (1 Cor. 8), and whether women in the church should wear head coverings (1 Cor. 11—each of these issues would make interesting posts!). 1 Cor. 14 is no different—Paul is only addressing their use of spiritual gifts because they had previously written to him concerning the use of spiritual gifts in the church. Paul in fact, seems to be addressing improper uses of spiritual gifts in the Corinth. The church at Corinth was plagued with factions—believers were boasting of which spiritual leader they followed (1 Cor. 1:11-13; 3:1-4; 11:18) and worse certain believers of lower standing were being neglected in the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:20-22, 33-34). Thus it is in this context, of divisions and factions, that Paul addresses the way the church at Corinth had been exercising their spiritual gifts.
Most specifically, 1 Cor. 14, indicates that the Corinthian church had improperly been giving preference to the gift of tongues over the gift of prophecy in their gatherings. Thus Paul says, “now I want you to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy” (1 Cor. 14:5). In fact it is likely that the Corinthian church was abusing the gift of tongues and so Paul tells them, “since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church” (v. 11)—because they were likely desiring manifestations of the Spirit to build themselves up or to prove their spirituality. Paul contrasts tongues and prophecy calling prophecy the superior gift for the church assembly because the one who prophecies “speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation” (v. 3). And further, “the one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophecies builds up the church” (v. 4).
All this is not to say that tongues should not be practiced in our church services. What I wanted to emphasize is what Paul emphasizes—that we should make sure everything we do in our meetings in the church should be focused on building up the body rather than merely building up ourselves. The Son of Man, after all, came not “to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45). Every spiritual gift is subject to this test—does it serve to build up the body. I am not trying to be repetitious—read 1 Cor. 14, I really do think Paul’s main point is to encourage believers to build one another up in the church!
That said, Paul does seem to hold out that tongues could be used to build up the body of Christ provided that those who speak in tongues do so in turn and an interpreter is provided (v. 27). If there is no one to interpret, Paul says “let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God” (v. 28). In fact Paul tells the Corinthians, “the one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret” (v. 13), because the interpretation might allow for the church to be edified. I have no idea what interpretation of tongues looks like because I have never seen it done; but I think, in Paul’s mind, tongues are not nearly as important as other gifts which directly edify the church such as prophecy. In fact, it is possible that 1 Cor. 12:28 sets forth an ordering of gifts in terms of importance with tongues as the least of the gifts (we ought, however, to be careful not to make too much of such an ordering lest we fall into the temptation of competing with one another in the exercise of our gifts like the Corinthians did). When the church assembles and “each one has a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation”—“let all things be done for building up.” (v. 26). So again whatever is done in the church ought to be done for building up and that was why Paul seems to hold a higher place for prophecy in the assembly. When the local church meets for worship its focus should be on doing that which builds up the body of Christ. This is why I think private prayer languages have no place in our worship services—whatever is done in the assembly ought to be done for the building up of the body—how does a private prayer language build up the body of Christ?
Paul says that tongues are “a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers” (v. 22). Thus the question comes up are the tongues mentioned in 1 Corinthians 14 the same as the tongues spoken by the disciples at Pentecost in Acts 2? To be completely honest with you, I must say that I don’t know. It seems to me on the face of things that they are not the same. I say this because there is no mention of interpretation in Acts 2 and because what you see in Acts 2 seems to be a miracle of God where God makes the hearers understand the gospel message even though it is spoken in a language not their own. I could be wrong about this and if you have a strong opinion, please leave a comment and help me think more clearly on this issue (even in writing this post and reading 1 Cor. 14 again, I have been tempted to change my mind several times). So, honestly, I am not sure what Paul means by saying that tongues are a sign for unbelievers; but I do know that in 1 Corinthians he continually challenges the believers to speak intelligible words so that the church might be edified (cf. v. 26).
It is virtually impossible to adequately address this issue in a single blog post, so feel free to leave your two cents in the comments section. I would love to address the issue of “outsiders/unbelievers” in our local gatherings in 1 Cor. 14:23-25 in more detail but this post would be even more ridiculously long! My next and final post on Spiritual Gifts will briefly address the remaining charismatic gifts and the issue of whether the Bible teaches a cessation of the charismatic gifts—I have already written this post so I promise to post it soon.
Regarding Acts 2, it was during Pentecost that the Spirit was poured out. Verse 5 states that in Jerusalem were Jews from “every nation under heaven.” Then in verse 6 we see the multitude marveled “because everyone heard them speak in his own language.” The language spoken by the apostles was foreign to them but native to the hearers.
Regarding gifts in general, let me throw this out. I’ve heard lots of pastors teach on the subject of spiritual gifts, and each one seems to have a different take on it. Here is my take:
We see Paul mention “spirituals” or “gifts” in three places in the NT. Namely, 1 Cor. 12-14, Rom.12, and Eph.4. 1 Cor.12:1 reads, “Now concerning spiritual gifts brethren…” Italics mean the word was added for clarification. I think this may be a disservice in this verse. I believe maybe Paul was saying, “concerning spirituals, brethren.” Look down to verses 4-6. In verse 4 we see the word “gifts” with no italics. Verse 5 we see ministries, and verse 6 we see activities, or manifestations. I have often wondered if the “gifts” are mentioned in Rom. 12 (the only passage of the three where we see the word gifts), the “ministries” are found in Eph.4, and the “activities” are mentioned and clarified in 1 Cor. 12&14.
Thanks for your thoughts Ben,
I am not sure what you mean in your first paragraph? Does that contradict anything I said in my post? I am not sure it does. I wholeheartedly agree that the HS was given at Pentecost and the result was a whole lot of people hearing the gospel in their language and coming to faith. If I am missing something please let me know.
I will look into the issue in 1 Cor 12, that is interesting. I think Ephesians 4 is clearly different than Romans 12 and 1 Cor 12, I guess my only hesitancy is that there is overlap between the gifts in Romans 12 and the “gifts” in 1 Cor 12 which would seem to indicate the same issue being addressed.
I must admit that it is finals week and I am cramming for tests right now, so if you leave another comment/question, it may be a little while before I get back to you, but I WILL get back to you, I want to make a point to always answer people’s questions. Thanks for asking, they are always welcome.
Also I have written two other posts on Spiritual Gifts–101 and 201 if you are interested.
“there is no mention of interpretation in Acts 2 and because what you see in Acts 2 seems to be a miracle of God where God makes the hearers understand the gospel message even though it is spoken in a language not their own.”
I believe that the hearers didn’t need any interpretation in Acts 2 because they were hearing in their own language. As the apostles who were gathered were speaking, they were speaking in the language of the hearers.
Concerning the overlap, if you have a gift of prophecy, doesn’t it seem right that you would use it in a prophetic office/ministry?
I’m not sure I get the distinction benbronson is making between having a gift and using it. Maybe the gifts are the actions, like walking in grace, and being strengthened and disciplined by God’s grace. Wow. This is provoking me to think.
1 Peter 4 sounds a lot like what benbronson said about the different passages addressing different sides of the issue. But I would rather take away lines than add them. Fruits of the Spirit, ministries of the Spirit, gifts of the Spirit, walking in the Spirit – they’re all the product of yielding to God’s life through us, right? They’re inevitable consequences of an ongoing relationship with God.
But I agree with the point that Drew brought out, that 1 Corinthians is answering questions on the abuse of gifts, particularly in the structure of Church gatherings, so the focus would be on gifts manifested in the meetings. This reminds me of a question I asked the ladies in my Spiritual Gifts Bible Study: can you use the spiritual gifts in a way displeasing to God? Because if the Spirit gives gifts to build up the church, and it is His power that enables the gift, why would he empower us to do something contrary to His purpose (like building up ourselves or causing contention or confusing outsiders)? If He doesn’t empower that, then the abusive situation Paul addressed was just a charade of gifts, right?
Anyway, blessings on your tests, seminarians. I pray the grades reflect your hearts for the truth and for ministry that have been exhibited here.
To God be all glory,
Lisa of Longbourn
Thanks for your comments and thoughts. Lisa, thanks as always for giving me thoughtful feedback on my post–that is invaluable. I think I will be able to offer some more cogent thoughts on these issues after Sunday–I am in finals right now and preparing to preach at my church on Sunday. I am going to go ahead and post the fourth and final post to my Spiritual Gift series though–probably on Thursday. I may try to throw up a meager Cultural Thermometer tomorrow.
Ben, thanks for clarifying, I don’t feel really strongly about the issue of tongues (which is probably obvious in this post). I think, however, that we both agree that Acts 2 involves a miracle of God where he makes people to hear the gospel. Paul’s big beef with the Corinthians in 1 Cor 14 seems to be that they were misusing tongues such that they were building up themselves rather than the church. Thus he says, the one who speaks in tongues “builds up himself” whereas the one who prophecies “builds up the church.” Further, the one who speaks in tongues speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.” Thus further evidence that what you have in Acts 2 is a miracle, where as what you have in 1 Cor 14 is some type of prayer to God “uttered in the Spirit” and thus doesn’t seem to have an evangelistic emphasis.
Its interesting that Paul doesn’t really expound much on this type of tongues in 1 Cor 14, instead he simply seems to say that it is not appropriate when the church assembles for worship. Again, how could a private prayer language edify the body of Christ? I don’t think you are arguing in favor of private prayer language in church, just trying to make my arguement clear.
If someone were to argue for practicing private prayer languages on their own, I honestly wouldn’t be too worried about it, unless they were telling me that I had to do it to be as spiritual as them–such a claim would deny the very purpose of our gifts–to bring glory to God and edify the body. No one is edified when we brag of our spirituality or try to one up each other in terms of being used of the Spirit.
Well more on that later, I hope this little bit helped clarify a little, if not please know that my mind is totally swamped from studying!
There is much I don’t understand about 1 Cor 14, for instance, why is it that Paul calls tongues a “sign for unbelievers” and yet says the one who speaks in tongues “builds up himself?” If you have an answer to that question, by all means leave a comment!
I have studied this some more this week and I almost want to come back and say that tongues in Acts 2 is the same as 1 Cor 14 in that tongues are a sign for unbelievers in that it is something God works out in the hearts of unbelievers to bring them to faith in Christ. This, however, in my mind would make tongues something other than a spiritual gift (because it would be completely for unbelievers rather than something given to believers).
That said, this is a complicated issue and I don’t think I handled it well, but I did try in this post to focus on Paul’s central point which is that what we do in the church ought to be done in love in order that what we do might serve and build one another up in the church. I don’t have all the answers to tongues or charismatic gifts but I am confident that God gives gifts to His children for them to glorify Him and to serve each other.