In 1 Corinthians chapter 14, Paul teaches the way of love: that of focusing on other people and only doing and speaking that which builds them up with gospel encouragement. This understanding flowed from Paul's consistent focus on the cross, where Jesus hung in our sin so that we might stand in His righteousness. As we consider Jesus' life, death, and resurrection for us, we see that His focus was outward, building us up through His suffering and death so that we might truly live. From Him, we learn the way of love.
Please read the following passage for our study today:
“For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. 16 Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? 17 You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified”
1 Corinthians 14:13-17
Question 1. How does 1 Corinthians 14:16-17 correct the priorities and emphasis of the Corinthian church?
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Speaking, praying, and singing "in the Spirit," or in tongues of unknown languages, is good and right. Paul wrote, "I will pray with my spirit…I will sing with my spirit…" He is speaking of praying and singing in ways that are beyond earthly understanding. This type of praying and singing transcends his mind, reaching the level of his spirit, and edifying his heart.
But as Paul views the cross, he sees Jesus not merely worshiping His Father alone but rather giving His life for you and me, for the world. As Paul sees this amazing sight, he knows that our activity in the local church should be done in a way that even outsiders can say "amen" because they understand what is being said. He wants the church to be edified, to be built up, and that requires communication that is understandable.
Question 2. According to 1 Corinthians 14:16-17, what does the worship of the Corinthians produce within them?
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We read that their worship was done in "thanksgiving" and that they were "giving thanks well enough." The Corinthians had much to commend them, and here we see that they were genuinely worshiping God, expressing their gratitude for all that God had done for them. They are fulfilling the admonition in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
The gospel message, if embraced in our hearts, enables genuine worship of God and the continual giving of thanks to Him. For example, yesterday while reading Matthew 27, the Holy Spirit produced such genuine worship and heartfelt thanksgiving in my heart as I saw Jesus being flogged for me (verse 26), the righteous for the unrighteous, being stripped naked (verse 28) to clothe me with His robe of righteousness, being spit on, purposefully receiving the shame of it, that I might share in His glory. On and on, this passage took me into the terribly beautiful cross of Christ, and out flowed praise from the depths of my spirit.
This personal time of worship is what grounds us in the gospel and stabilizes us in Christ, making us "rooted and grounded in love" (Ephesians 3:17) and "overflowing with thankfulness" (Colossians 2:7). The Corinthians were doing fantastically well in this regard.
The correction Paul brought to the Corinthians was that, in their corporate worship times, they needed to place emphasis on clear speaking and distinct communication that presents the gospel in such a way that others can hear it, can say "amen" to the glories of the cross, and can be drawn into worship.
Question 3. What final thoughts do you have about 1 Corinthians 14:13-17?
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