Vambram
2nd November 2007, 04:19 PM
1 Corinthians 14:1-5
Prophesying, that is, explaining Scripture, is compared with speaking with tongues. This drew attention, more than the plain interpretation of Scripture; it gratified pride more, but promoted the purposes of Christian charity less; it would not equally do good to the souls of men. What cannot be understood, never can edify. No advantage can be reaped from the most excellent discourses, if delivered in language such as the hearers cannot speak or understand. Every ability or possession is valuable in proportion to its usefulness. Even fervent, spiritual affection must be governed by the exercise of the understanding, else men will disgrace the truths they profess to promote.
1 Corinthians 14:6-14
I believe that even an apostle could not edify others whom were hearing his words, unless he spoke so as to be understood by his hearers. The Greek word for “edify” is oikodomeo According to Strong’s Dictionary in his concordance, oikodomeo means: to construct or (figuratively) to confirm.. to build up, or embolden. Please keep that definition in mind for oikodomeo (edify) as you consider this chapter of Scripture while thinking about the words of this Bible study.
I believe that to speak words that have no meaning to those who hear them, is but speaking into the air. If only God can understand what is being said with a use of the gift of tongues, then how is the congregation of listeners in the assembly edified? I believe that cannot answer the end of speaking, which has no meaning; in this case, speaker and hearers are barbarians to each other because they would not understand each other. I believe that all religious services should be so performed in Christian assemblies, that all may join in, and profit by them. Language plain and easy to be understood, is the most proper for public worship, and other religious exercises. Every true follower of Christ will rather desire to do good to others, than to get a name for learning or fine speaking.
1 Corinthians 14:15-25
I believe that there can be no assent to prayers that are not understood. I believe that a truly Christian minister will seek much more to do spiritual good to men's souls, than to get the greatest applause to himself. This is proving himself the servant of Christ. Children are apt to be struck with novelty; but do not act like them. I believe that Christians should be like children, void of guile and malice; yet they should not be unskillful as to the word of righteousness, but only as to the arts of mischief. It is a proof that a people are forsaken of God, when he gives them up to the rule of those who teach them to worship in another language. They can never be benefited by such teaching. Yet thus the preachers did who delivered their instructions in an unknown tongue.
Would it not make Christianity ridiculous to a heathen, to hear the ministers pray or preach in a language which neither he nor the assembly understood? However, IF those who minister, plainly interpret Scripture, or preach the great truths and rules of the gospel, a heathen or unlearned person might become a convert to Christianity. His conscience might be touched, the secrets of his heart might be revealed to him, and so he might be brought to confess his guilt, and to own that God was present in the assembly. Scripture truth, plainly and duly taught, has a wonderful power to awaken the conscience and touch the heart.
1 Corinthians 14:26-33
I believe that religious exercises in public assemblies should have this view; Let all be done to edifying. As to the speaking in an unknown tongue, if another were present who could interpret, two miraculous gifts might be exercised at once, and thereby the church be edified, and the faith of the hearers confirmed at the same time. As to prophesying, two or three only should speak at one meeting, and this one after the other, not all at once. The man who is inspired by the Spirit of God will observe order and decency in delivering his revelations. God never teaches men to neglect their duties, or to act in any way unbecoming their age or station.
1 Corinthians 14:36-40
The Spirit of Christ can never contradict itself; and if their revelations, i.e. those whom speak with a gift of prophecy, are against those of the apostle, they do not come from the same Spirit. The way to keep peace, truth, and order in the church, is to seek that which is good for it, to bear with that which is not hurtful to its welfare, and to keep up good behavior, order, and decency.
:groupray:
Prophesying, that is, explaining Scripture, is compared with speaking with tongues. This drew attention, more than the plain interpretation of Scripture; it gratified pride more, but promoted the purposes of Christian charity less; it would not equally do good to the souls of men. What cannot be understood, never can edify. No advantage can be reaped from the most excellent discourses, if delivered in language such as the hearers cannot speak or understand. Every ability or possession is valuable in proportion to its usefulness. Even fervent, spiritual affection must be governed by the exercise of the understanding, else men will disgrace the truths they profess to promote.
1 Corinthians 14:6-14
I believe that even an apostle could not edify others whom were hearing his words, unless he spoke so as to be understood by his hearers. The Greek word for “edify” is oikodomeo According to Strong’s Dictionary in his concordance, oikodomeo means: to construct or (figuratively) to confirm.. to build up, or embolden. Please keep that definition in mind for oikodomeo (edify) as you consider this chapter of Scripture while thinking about the words of this Bible study.
I believe that to speak words that have no meaning to those who hear them, is but speaking into the air. If only God can understand what is being said with a use of the gift of tongues, then how is the congregation of listeners in the assembly edified? I believe that cannot answer the end of speaking, which has no meaning; in this case, speaker and hearers are barbarians to each other because they would not understand each other. I believe that all religious services should be so performed in Christian assemblies, that all may join in, and profit by them. Language plain and easy to be understood, is the most proper for public worship, and other religious exercises. Every true follower of Christ will rather desire to do good to others, than to get a name for learning or fine speaking.
1 Corinthians 14:15-25
I believe that there can be no assent to prayers that are not understood. I believe that a truly Christian minister will seek much more to do spiritual good to men's souls, than to get the greatest applause to himself. This is proving himself the servant of Christ. Children are apt to be struck with novelty; but do not act like them. I believe that Christians should be like children, void of guile and malice; yet they should not be unskillful as to the word of righteousness, but only as to the arts of mischief. It is a proof that a people are forsaken of God, when he gives them up to the rule of those who teach them to worship in another language. They can never be benefited by such teaching. Yet thus the preachers did who delivered their instructions in an unknown tongue.
Would it not make Christianity ridiculous to a heathen, to hear the ministers pray or preach in a language which neither he nor the assembly understood? However, IF those who minister, plainly interpret Scripture, or preach the great truths and rules of the gospel, a heathen or unlearned person might become a convert to Christianity. His conscience might be touched, the secrets of his heart might be revealed to him, and so he might be brought to confess his guilt, and to own that God was present in the assembly. Scripture truth, plainly and duly taught, has a wonderful power to awaken the conscience and touch the heart.
1 Corinthians 14:26-33
I believe that religious exercises in public assemblies should have this view; Let all be done to edifying. As to the speaking in an unknown tongue, if another were present who could interpret, two miraculous gifts might be exercised at once, and thereby the church be edified, and the faith of the hearers confirmed at the same time. As to prophesying, two or three only should speak at one meeting, and this one after the other, not all at once. The man who is inspired by the Spirit of God will observe order and decency in delivering his revelations. God never teaches men to neglect their duties, or to act in any way unbecoming their age or station.
1 Corinthians 14:36-40
The Spirit of Christ can never contradict itself; and if their revelations, i.e. those whom speak with a gift of prophecy, are against those of the apostle, they do not come from the same Spirit. The way to keep peace, truth, and order in the church, is to seek that which is good for it, to bear with that which is not hurtful to its welfare, and to keep up good behavior, order, and decency.
:groupray: