Welcome back everyone and we continue with part 2 of our series. This bible study is one many are confused on and I believe it is due to a lack of simple study of The Word of God. So I urge you, as Paul said many times, to study The Word as it is written and not take man's point of view.


"{13} But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.
The only things that they had that would continue on after the complete thing is faith, hope and love. Love is the greatest because it will never be replaced. When Jesus returns to restore all things hope and faith will be replaced. As Paul says in Rom 8:24 "For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?" So it is certain the complete thing is not the 2ND coming. But love will last throughout eternity.

(1 Cor 14) "Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy."
They had been prideful over unimportant things. Paul admonishes them to desire the better gifts. It seems the gift of tongues was pretty common and many of them had this gift, but Paul is about to begin letting them know that tongues did not make them all that special and they had nothing to boast about.
{2} "For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries."
This is not what tongues were for, this is how they were using the gift. In other words, they were speaking in tongues but no one was interpreting and it was a mystery. The only one who knew what was being said was God Himself. This was wrong as will be pointed out later.
{3} "But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. {4} One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. {5} Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying."
All gifts were to edify the Church. They were trying to use the gift of tongues selfishly, for their own glory.
{6} "But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching?"
Their gift of tongues was of no profit because no one was understanding, so Paul uses the analogies of vv. 7 & 8.
{7} "Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? {8} For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? {9} So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air."
If no one interprets tongues, no one knows what's being said, which is the same as speaking to the air. Once again, he is not telling them what to do, he is scolding them for what they were already doing.
{10} "There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning. {11} If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me. {12} So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church."
The word "glossa" means "tongue" or "language." The word that has been translated as tongues throughout this passage is the same word translated as languages in v. 10. Tongues, his point is, were to be translated and for edification. THAT is what they should be seeking for. Not their own pride.
{13} 'Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. {14} For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful."
They were "showing off" their gift of tongues by using it to pray with. Again, he is not telling them what to do, he is scolding them for what they were already doing. If you would pray in a tongue, you may be using your spiritual gift but you don't know what you're saying, i.e., the spirit prays but the mind is unfruitful.

We will end today's lesson and pick up here next week. God bless until we meet again.

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