Daily Devotion in I Corinthians 14

 

In I Corinthians 14, Paul clarifies that the gift of prophesy is one of the most needed blessings from God. He remarked that speaking in a foreign language (“tongues”) was a special gift. However, it did not benefit many people. Prophesy enlightened many in the body of believers. This gift also encouraged (exhorted), educated, and comforted believers (I Corinthians 14:3).
“But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.” I Corinthians 14:3

The gift of prophesy, because they did not have the entire Bible at the time, involved some futuristic predictions of God’s workings, but it met other needs. Prophesy included the ability to instruct, explain the Bible's teachings, and make others aware of what would happen.

As Jesus was not with them at the time and not all the books of the Bible were readily available, people needed someone to tell them of future events and God's workings. They needed, and God provided, someone to inform and warn them of some upcoming occurrences. They also needed someone who would have divine help to explain what the Scriptures meant.

To this day, the gift of prophecy is still given to some New Testament believers (Romans 12:6). It edifies the one prophesying and others, so they understand what the Word of God means. It is no longer needed to have futuristic predictions (Rev. 22:18) of what God will do because we have all that God wants us to know in the 66 books He has preserved for us.

The word “prophesying” is an action word (verb). At the time this chapter was written, future predictions were being told. In other instances and New Testament books, “prophecy” (a noun) is often used. At those times of usage, it most likely referred to future predictions of what was already recorded in the Scriptures or was said.

The gift of prophecy (see definitions below to understand the differences between “prophecy” and “prophesy”) today is given to one that understands the Word of God and relates its truths to modern-day living. As the Old Testament and earlier church prophets were right 100% of the time, so can today's Christians with God’s gift of prophecy. When he clarifies what the Bible says about a situation or activity, what he is sharing with others will also be correct 100% of the time because it is from the always right Word of God!

Explanation and understanding of the Scriptures are important to a Christian. If one understands what they read from the Word of God (Acts 8:30-31) and obeys what is taught, they will have divine leadership in their lives.

Today’s Thought:
“Back up your lips with your life!” — Author Unknown

Words to Understand:
Barbarian: an uncivil person without refinement and manners
Edification: teaching
Prophecy: (Noun) “foretelling, prediction; a declaration of something to come.” “Preaching; public interpretation of Scripture; exhortation or instruction.” — Noah Webster, 1828
Prophesy (Verb) “to fortell future events; to predict.” “Preaching; public interpretation of Scripture; exhortation or instruction.” — Noah Webster, 1828
Zealous: enthusiasm

Today’s Reading:
I Corinthians 14
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
5 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.
6 ¶ Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 ¶ What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
21 ¶ In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
22 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.
23 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 ye are mad?
24 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:
25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
26 ¶ How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
34 ¶ Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
36 ¶ What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.