The First Epistle to the Corinthians

1. I Corinth 14:20 – “Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.” Be not is imperative and children refers to infants. Why this contrast between behavior as children vs. men? Spiritual maturity – malice (innocence) vs. understanding (mature) Eph 4:14 - that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, I Corinth 14:21 – “In the law it is written: ‘With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,’ says the Lord.” (Isaiah 28:11,12) Do you believe that this is a fulfillment of prophecy? The First Epistle to the Corinthians 1 Corinth 14:20-33 - Purpose of Tongues, Order in Worship 1 October 16, 2016 Bob Eckel

2. But this also likely relates to the fact that God would teach the rebellious Israelites submission, by placing them in a land where another language is spoken, i.e. Chaldea (Ezek 11:24, 23:15,16)? Jer 5:15 - Behold, I will bring a nation against you from afar,O house of Israel,” says the Lord. “It is a mighty nation,It is an ancient nation, A nation whose language you do not know,Nor can you understand what they say.” I Corinth 14:22 – “Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.” Is a sign a miracle? Notice the contrast between believers and non-believers here. I Corinth 14:23 – “Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and The First Epistle to the Corinthians 1 Corinth 14:20-33 - Purpose of Tongues, Order in Worship 2 October 16, 2016 Bob Eckel

3. there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?” The world’s perspective of speaking in tongues – what's going on here, is the church mad? Like Paul before Festus or us before gentiles today (1 Cor 1:23). Acts 26:24 - Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!” Could the uninformed apply to believers? 1 Corinth 14:24,25 – “But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.” The First Epistle to the Corinthians 1 Corinth 14:20-33 - Purpose of Tongues, Order in Worship 3 October 16, 2016 Bob Eckel

4. If here is a conditional participle – the unbeliever or uninformed may or may not respond to the truth of God. What does allprophesy (teaching) indicate – the entire body? See 14:31, but then 1 Corinth 12:29 - Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? No not all, thus here must signify any, one or more, successively, interpret or apply the truth of the gospel. Heb 4:12 - For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. secrets of his heart revealed – not to the Lord. Dan 2:47 - The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.” falling down and worshipping God - usual posture of worship or reverence in eastern countries, and an appropriate response before a holy and righteous God. The First Epistle to the Corinthians 1 Corinth 14:20-33 - Purpose of Tongues, Order in Worship 4 October 16, 2016 Bob Eckel

5. I Corinth 14:26 – “How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.” Does each and everyone have a psalm (hymn), teaching, tongue, revelation and interpretation? Best interpreted that all these things would not be found in the same person, but would all exist at the same time; Notice the result of the gathering – edification! 1 Corinth 14:12 - Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. I Corinth 14:27,28 – “If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep The First Epistle to the Corinthians 1 Corinth 14:20-33 - Purpose of Tongues, Order in Worship 5 October 16, 2016 Bob Eckel

6. silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.” It is two and at most three that speak in an unknown tongue and in order. This appears to an orderly process in the absence of urgency. And notice, only one interpreter to avoid confusion. Remember to whom is this proclamation using an unknown tongue directed? If there’s no interpreter there would have been only one speaking, and what purpose would result from speaking to himself and to God? 1 Corinth 14:2 - For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But wasn’t the purpose to bring the truth to the unsaved? I Corinth 14:29-30 – “Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. But if anything is revealed to The First Epistle to the Corinthians 1 Corinth 14:20-33 - Purpose of Tongues, Order in Worship 6 October 16, 2016 Bob Eckel

7. another who sits by, let the first keep silent.” As for speaking in an unknown tongue, prophesying involves just two or three avoiding confusion with one who judges (presumably extraordinarily inspired and qualified) while others keep silent. 1 Corinth 12:10 - to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 1 Thess 5:20,21 - Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. McCalley – ‘There is an important principle found here. The congregation controls the gifts; the gifts do not control the congregation. This is rarely, if ever, the principle found in The First Epistle to the Corinthians 1 Corinth 14:20-33 - Purpose of Tongues, Order in Worship 7 October 16, 2016 Bob Eckel

8. charismatic churches. There is a continual waiting to fall under the overwhelming power of the Holy Spirit. Paul forbids a congregation to be controlled by charismatic functions.’ 1 Corinth 14:31-33 – “For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” All is for those with the gift of prophecy only but all may learn. 1 Corinth 14;3 - But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. The First Epistle to the Corinthians 1 Corinth 14:20-33 - Purpose of Tongues, Order in Worship 8 October 16, 2016 Bob Eckel

9. Again, order is emphasized and reflects God’s purpose and direction for the church. A principle of God from way back. Prov 1:5 - A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel. 1 John 4:1 - Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. God is not the author of confusion – how often have you heard this verse quoted? 1 Corinth 11:16 - But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God. Think of today’s church, what are your conclusions? The First Epistle to the Corinthians 1 Corinth 14:20-33 - Purpose of Tongues, Order in Worship 9 October 16, 2016 Bob Eckel