Saturday, November 27, 2010

Day 326

J. Book of 1 Corinthians (from Ephesus) ~ cont.
2. Pattern for a prosperous church ~ cont.
h. Importance of love - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
i. Tongues and prophesying - 1 Corinthians 14:1-40
j. The gospel declared - 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
k. The resurrection - 1 Corinthians 15:8-58


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. (1 Corinthians 14:5)


prophesied/prophesieth - G4395 - From G4396; to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office.  G4396 - From a compound of G4253 and G5346; a foreteller (“prophet”); by analogy an inspired speaker; by extension a poet.


church - G1577 - From a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564; a calling out, that is, (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both).


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. 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 you are mad? 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: And thus are the secrets of his own heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. 
(1 Corinthians 14:22-25)


This passage seems contradictory to me - tongues are a sign for unbelievers (22) yet the next verse (23) seems to indicate that unbelievers would consider someone speaking in tongues as mad (G3105 - rave as a maniac).


Then verse 22 states prophesying is for them which believe, yet in verses 24 and 25 it appears that it is to convict the unbeliever.


Gill's commentary on the passage is well worth the time to read (too lengthy to quote) - the part I found most interesting was in reference to verse 25 - if I have internalized it properly - that when the Word is rightly divided someone sitting under the teaching can and will be convicted. The Word being taught, no knowledge by that person giving forth, the message is used by God to convict of sin and bring to repentance.


The passage is speaking about unbelievers, but also unlearned.


unbelievers - G571 - From G1 (as a negative particle) and G4103; (actively) disbelieving, that is, without Christian faith (specifically a heathen); (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing).


unlearned - G2399 - From G2398; a private person, that is, (by implication) an ignoramus (compare “idiot”).


God's Word, rightly divided should be an edification for and to all.  Not only to those who are in need of HIS saving grace, but more importantly for the warriors who battle (or should) daily, contending for the faith.


How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you have a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation.  Let all things be done to edifying. (1 Corinthians 14:26)


Again Gill's commentary is an encouragement for those who are gifted in these areas to be used, not for vanities sake, but for the edification of the saints.


Wherefore brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.  (1 Corinthians 14:39)


covet? - G2206 - From G2205; to have warmth of feeling for or against. G2205 - From G2204; properly heat, that is, (figuratively) “zeal” (in a favorable sense, ardor; in an unfavorable one, jealousy, as of a husband [figuratively of God], or an enemy, malice). G2204 - A primary verb; to be hot (boil, of liquids; or glow, of solids), that is, (figuratively) be fervid (earnest).


There are 2 distinct camps regarding spiritual gifts one says they are for today, others that they have passed away with the 1st century church.  I realize there are some major abuses of the gifts. The name it, claim in crowd is one example of extreme abuse, done solely for the purpose of building up a person or ministry.


That said, I do not see how the church can deny that Paul was very specific about the need for fervency in the manifestation of these gifts.  If he admonishes us to covet them, how then can they have passed away?


Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.  (1 Corinthians 15:33)


deceived - G4105 - From G4106; to (properly cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue).


evil - G2556 - Apparently a primary word; worthless (intrinsically such; whereas G4190 properly refers to effects), that is, (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious.


communications - G3657 - From G3658; companionship (“homily”), that is, (by implication) intercourse.


corrupt - G5351 - Probably strengthened from φθίω phthiō (to pine or waste): properly to shrivel or wither, that is, to spoil (by any process) or (genitive) to ruin (especially figuratively by moral influences, to deprave).


good - G5543 - From G5530; employed, that is, (by implication) useful (in manner or morals).


manners - G2239 - A strengthened form of G1485; usage, that is, (plural) moral habits.


This is in reference to those who deny resurrection.  However, it would behoove the Bride to look at it in light of how much the world influences her.  We (whether we agree with or to it) are impacted by what we read, watch and participate.  We become desensitized to the evil promoted in the culture.  If Father admonishes us to be set apart and holy, how diligently are we to obey?

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