1 Corinthians 14:1-12
Pursue Love and Spiritual Gifts
1Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
2For 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.
3But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.
4The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
5I 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.
6Now, 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?
7Even 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?
8Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle?
9So 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.
10Assuredly, there are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
11If, then, I do not know the meaning of someone’s language, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.
12It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.
Berean Standard Bible
Paul tells the Corinthians to pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially prophecy. The instruction follows his teaching that love is greater than every gift. Desire for spiritual usefulness is good, but it must remain under love's direction.
He contrasts prophecy with speaking in a tongue without interpretation. The person speaking in a tongue speaks to God because no one understands, while the person prophesying speaks for strengthening, encouragement, and comfort. Paul is not dismissing prayer in a tongue; he is asking what builds up the gathered church.
The person who prophesies builds up the church, while the person who speaks in a tongue builds up himself unless interpretation makes the message accessible. Paul would like them all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. A gift that serves the whole body is more valuable in the gathering than a gift that leaves everyone else outside the meaning.
Paul compares unintelligible speech to an unfamiliar instrument. Flutes, harps, and trumpets must make distinct sounds for listeners to know what is being played or whether a signal is being given. Sound without meaning cannot guide a community.
Since the Corinthians are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, they should seek gifts that build up the church. Spiritual intensity and clear communication belong together. A gathering can be deeply moved by God without becoming incomprehensible to the people who came to worship.
Questions
1 What does Paul tell the Corinthians to pursue first?
AnswerHe tells them to pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially gifts that serve the gathered church.
2 What does prophecy provide to people?
AnswerProphecy speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and comfort, making the message useful to the church.
3 What is the problem with an uninterpreted tongue in the gathering?
AnswerThe problem is not prayer itself but that no one else understands, so the church receives no shared building up.
4 What should the Corinthians seek in spiritual gifts?
AnswerThey should seek gifts that communicate clearly and build up the church rather than merely displaying private spiritual experience.
What This Means for Us
Measure spiritual activity by what it does for people who are present. A practice that leaves everyone confused may need interpretation, explanation, or a different setting.
Pursue love before visibility. Ask whether your contribution strengthens, encourages, and comforts the body or mainly proves something about you.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, make our worship loving and intelligible. Give us gifts that strengthen Your church, and keep us from using spiritual activity to seek attention or leave others behind. Amen.