January 2011
Monthly Archive
Fri 28 Jan 2011
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
“Of First Importance”
Date: 30-Jan-11
Required Resources:
Purpose (Why am I teaching this lesson? What effect did the writer expect it to have on the recipients?)
The purpose of this lesson is to grasp how the resurrection of Christ can/should transform us.
Theme (What central idea does this passage communicate?)
Without Christ’s bodily resurrection there is no faith.
Introduction
Review & Homework:
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Outline
A. Salutations & Reminders (v1:1-1:9)
B. Divisions within the church (v1:10-4:21)
C. …of conduct unbecoming a believer (v5:1-13) {church discipline}
D. Dealing with offenses in The Body (v6:1-11)
E. The bondage of sexual sin (v6:12-20)
– Now For The Matters You Wrote About –
F. Marriage, Divorce & Singleness (v7:1-40)
G. Christian Liberty (v8:1-11:1)
H. Order in Worship (v11:2-14:40)
I. On Resurrection (v15:1-58)
Ü 1. Resurrection of Christ (v1-11)
2. Resurrection of the Dead (v12-34)
3. Resurrection of the Body (v35-58)
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Homework
- Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 and complete a page in your study booklet
- Spend time meditating on the power of Christ’s resurrection. Focus on the impact it has had on you personally.
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In this section Paul begins a discussion of the resurrection. This was possibly prompted by some not believing Christians will receive a physical, resurrected body. It does not appear to be a question of the immortality of the soul, but instead whether there will be a physical body in heaven. The point of chapter 15 is not to prove Christ’s resurrection – that was a verifiable fact – it is to prove the believer’s resurrection.
The argument is laid out in a logical fashion, first building on the gospel and the resurrection of Christ. It then progresses to a discussion of the believers resurrection and finally onto what may have been the confusion that prompted this section – What is the nature of our resurrected body?
The resurrection is the heart of the gospel and resurrection of the Christian’s body is the logical consequence.
This week we begin by examining Christ’s resurrection.
¿: Why is the resurrection of Christ important, wasn’t His death enough the pay the penalty?
(Acts 4:33; Ro. 1:2-4; Php. 3:10 – power of the gospel, deity of Christ, promise of eternal life)
The Text
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Scripture
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Observation
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1 Corinthians 15:1-2
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The Truth of the Gospel
1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.
2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
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¿: In this passage what is the very first evidence of the power of the resurrection? [“you were saved”]
Paul begins his argument with something personal that the Corinthians can identify with.
“if you hold firmly” – can be read as a parenthetical or a conditional statement
¿: What can this phrase be understood to mean?
This does not imply that not holding firmly could result in the loss of their salvation. Instead it says, “if there is no resurrection then there is no salvation”
“Unless your faith was a delusion”
Our salvation is kept by Christ’s holding fast to us, not our holding fast to Him. (John 10:28)
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1 Corinthians 15:3-8
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The Testimony of the Gospel
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.
6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,
8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
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“what I received I passed on to you”
¿: Do you recall another time Paul used a similar phrase? [1 Cor. 11:23]
¿: What was the occasion, and why did he use the phrase?
Paul reminds them of the oral teaching he first brought to them
“died for our sins according to the scriptures” – Isaiah 53
Ü Christ did not die for His sins, or as a martyr. Christ’s’ was substitutionary for MY sins. It was my penalty (and yours He died for).
That Christ was buried verified His death:
Ü The empty tomb – Matt. 28:1-10 (v28:6); Mark 16:1-8 (v16:6); Luke 24:1-12 (v24:3); John 20:1-9 (v20:2)
“raised on the third day according to the scriptures”
¿: What scriptures prophesied this?
Ü Christ referred to the sign of Jonah – Matt. 12:38-41) Jonah 1:17, Psalm 16:8-11 (cited by Peter at Pentecost – Acts 2:31)
Note: how important the testimony of the scriptures is. It is not what Paul may have told them, it’s what the scriptures said.
James was probably the half-brother of Jesus (vs one of the apostles Mark 3:17-18). He likely came to faith at the post-resurrection appearance of Christ. (John 7:3-5)
The apostles were clearly more than the 12. Note: apostles saw the resurrected Christ.
With the possible exception of James, Paul is the only appearance to an unbeliever. Paul refers to himself as one “untimely born” as in a miscarriage. He was not a believer (malformed, dead), yet Jesus appeared to him.
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The Gospel Testimony of the Post-Resurrection Appearances
Mark 16:9-11; John 20:11-18 – Mary Magdalene on the Garden
Matt 28:9-10 – other women
Mark 16:12-13; Luke 24:13-32 – Two people going to Emmaus
Luke 24:34 – Peter
¿: Why was Peter singled out for a visit? (see Luke 21:61-62 – visiting Peter emphasized God’s grave)
Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-25 – disciples in the upper room
Mark 16:14; John 20:26-31 – disciples in the upper room, a week later
John 21:1-23 – 7 disciples while fishing
Matt. 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18 – 11 disciples on a mountain
Acts 1:3 – over a period of 40 days
Acts 9:1-8 – Paul
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Notice how the quality of the witnesses can be attested to (men known by name that could be interviewed) PLUS the quantity of witnesses, most of whom were still alive.
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1 Corinthians 15:9-11
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Paul’s Testimony of the Gospel
9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
11 Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.
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In spite of Paul’s harsh persecution of the church, God selected him.
Whatever Paul is now, it is ONLY through God’s grace – which held Paul to an obligation of love. Paul understood his absolute unworthiness. He also understand the fullness of God’s grace showered down on him. He did not live in guilt for what he had done for the church, instead he used that knowledge to view the depth of God’s love for him.
¿: Why is the resurrection important?
¿: Paul says, “His grace to me was not without effect,” can you give examples of what Paul is talking about?
¿: What effect “should” His grace have upon us?
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Conclusion
Personal Application:
¿: What power has Christ’s resurrection had in your life?
Homework:
- Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-34
Mon 24 Jan 2011
I suppose I am at or past the juncture in life where one of my life dreams could have been fulfilled.
Yup, that’s right. A dream of mine for nearly 30 years was to be a member of the highly exclusive 300 Club.
The 300 Club is the name given to persons who have endured a range of temperature of 300 degrees Fahrenheit within a very short time. The practice originated at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica.
Participants in the 300 Club wait for a day when the temperature drops to -100 degrees Fahrenheit for more than a few minutes, generally in the winter. The persons first warm up in a sauna heated to 200 degrees for as long as 10 minutes. Then they run naked in the snow to the Ceremonial Pole itself in the -100 degree weather, and run around the Pole. After this, they usually warm themselves back in the sauna again, often with the aid of alcoholic drinks.
Fri 14 Jan 2011
1 Corinthians 14:26-40
“Orderly Worship”
Date: 16-Jan-11
Purpose (Why am I teaching this lesson? What effect did the writer expect it to have on the recipients?)
The purpose of this lesson is to openly discuss the meaning of this difficult passage and its application for today.
Theme (What central idea does this passage communicate?)
All things should be done in a fitting and orderly way
Introduction
Review & Homework:
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Outline
A. Salutations & Reminders (v1:1-1:9)
B. Divisions within the church (v1:10-4:21)
C. …of conduct unbecoming a believer (v5:1-13) {church discipline}
D. Dealing with offenses in The Body (v6:1-11)
E. The bondage of sexual sin (v6:12-20)
– Now For The Matters You Wrote About –
F. Marriage, Divorce & Singleness (v7:1-40)
G. Christian Liberty (v8:1-11:1)
H. Order in Worship (v11:2-14:39 )
1. Submission to established order (v11:2-16)
2. Order in the Observance of the Lord’s Table (v11:17-34)
3. About Spiritual Gifts (v12:1-11)
— Indentifying your Spiritual Gift(s) –
4. The functioning of Spiritual Gifts (v12:12-31a)
5. The rule of using Spiritual Gifts (v12:31b -13:13)
6. Proper use of the sign gifts (v14:1-25)
Ü 7. Orderly worship (v14:26-39)
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Homework
1. Read 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 and complete a page in your study booklet
2. Write a statement of what you think verses 34-35 are saying
3. Find scriptural basis for your viewpoint, if your viewpoint does not match the plain text
4. Read 1 Corinthians 11:5; 14:34-35; 1 Timothy 2:11-12; Acts 18:26 and 1 Corinthians 14:36-37, how do you reconcile these verses?
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¿: Do you think it’s scriptural to forbid women from preaching in a church service? What about writing the sermon for teaching (and a man delivers it)? What about writing the hymn to teach?
The Text
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Scripture
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Observation
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1 Corinthians 14:26
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All For Edification
26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.
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The coming together for worship sounds a little more interactive than many church services today.
A diversity of gifts were present and each was expected to be allowed to participate with no one gift dominating the service.
¿: Would you find a Corinthian service uncomfortable or dull?
¿: Why do you suppose the church moved away from this model?
The rule of love is the guiding principle. – although each had something to offer, it wasn’t about what they had, it was about what builds up the church.
“strengthening” – is from a Greek word which has to do with house building.
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1 Corinthians 14:27-28
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Guidelines for Speaking in Tongues
27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.
28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.
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3 rules laid out: 1) 2 or 3 at most, 2) one at a time, 3) interpreter required
¿: Does tongues without an interpreter have a purpose in the body?
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1 Corinthians 14:29-33a
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Guidelines for Prophesy
29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.
31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.
33a For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
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3 rules laid out: 1) 2 or 3 at most, 2) others should weigh carefully, 3) if a second begins, the first stops
See 1 John 4:1 – test the spirits
¿: Why do you think the instruction would be for the first to stop and allow a second person to interrupt? [It is possible that in many words someone may be more likely “adding” to the truth from their own wisdom and understanding]
v32 – ¿: Could the Corinthians have had the idea that the MORE spirit controlled a person was the less in control of himself he was?
¿: Does this idea ring true today?
Ü No one is carried away without his consent – whether for good or bad. It would be inconsistent with this passage to say, “I couldn’t help myself”
¿: What about the old adage, “The Devil made me do it?”
Disorder IS NOT a sign of God’s presence.
Although order may not be a sign of God’s presence, disorder is never of God.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:13-16
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1 Corinthians 14:33b-35
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Guidelines for Wives
33bAs in all the congregations of the saints,
34 women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says.
35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.
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Some manuscripts move the order of these verses to the end of the chapter, indicating the scribes may have felt these out of place in this passage. Because of this some commentators feel the confusion was because the verses were never in the oldest manuscripts to begin with. Thus the reasoning is to ignore this section.
These verses ARE in every manuscript, the order is simply different. Also, the specific manuscripts which have the verses at the end of the passage are known for generally poor scribal practices.
Notice that Paul DID NOT dodge the problem in order to be politically correct.
¿: Was the admonition addressed to ALL women or married women?
[Word for woman can be general or wife – depending on context]
“remain silent” – same Greek word as in v28
¿: Would you expect the meaning to be different when the same word is used in the same passage?
See 1 Tim. 2:11-12 for a parallel passage.
¿: How do you reconcile v34 with 1 Cor. 11:5, where women are allowed to speak?
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Acts 18:26 where a woman was involved with the teaching of Apollos?
Also, Galatians 3:28-29; Colossians 3:11
¿: What would be the difference between the “praying and prophesying” mentioned in v11:5 vs. what is mentioned in v14:34? [exercise of spiritual gifts vs. general speaking]
“As the law says” – possibly referring to the order of creation.
This passage can be understood:
1) Women of the day were trying to circumvent “teaching” restrictions by “teaching via questions” – if so, this loophole is closed
2) The speaking could be referring to gossip or idle chatter – disruption
3) Women were forbidden to speak in a teaching capacity for any reason
Ü In 1 Cor. 11 we studied about the head covering as a sign of submission to God’s created order (with restrictions on the man as well as the woman!)
Ü In light of other passages it appears that “silent in the churches” would mean the formal times of corporate worship – and in a teaching capacity. Since v11:5 allows them to prophesy
Consistent with other NT teaching, women have many valuable ministries, however public ministries over the entire church are not exemplified in scripture. Even if one only sees a cultural restriction in this passage, 1 Cor. 11:3-16 makes a clear case for submitting to God’s order of creation – not as a sign of value but as acknowledgement that men submit to Christ as even Christ submitted to the Father.
Comparing the idea that women should not teach the entire church with the whole of other scriptural teaching does not contradict scripture. However even if you do not believe this is the correct interpretation for today – remember there are principles of order and discipline God has established. The truth of these principles should be followed regardless of our individual interpretation of these few verses.
Ü Some may think that it is more important to encourage participation than to abide by a seemingly out-of-date rule. So the question becomes, are we seeking to obey the Word of God or seeking to satisfy ourselves and placate others?
Ü It is not always easy to determine when the rule of silence applies. However, it is the responsibility of each session to apply that rule when appropriate—and of each woman to consider when it may be pleasing to God for her not to speak. We may be confident that if we sincerely and prayerfully seek to understand and apply biblical principles in these matters, God will lead us into his truth and bless us.
Read: “Should Women Be Allowed to Speak…”
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1 Corinthians 14:36-40
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Order in All Things
36 Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?
37 If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.
38 If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored.
39 Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
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Paul’s sarcastic words are a biting reminder that what he said was not cultural norm or even Paul’s own bias as a Jew or a man; these words were directly from the Lord.
“be eager to prophesy” – you all be eager (2nd person plural), as a church be eager and desirous of this gift. Hold it in high esteem. He was not telling them individually to try to obtain this gift, he was telling them as a church to prize those who had this gift because it builds the body.
“fitting” – becomingly, gracefully
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Conclusion
Personal Application:
Chapters 11-14 express the viewpoint that this is not “my church” or “our church” but God’s gathering.
Conclusion
Personal Application:
Chapters 11-14 express the viewpoint that this is not “my church” or “our church” but God’s gathering.
Wed 12 Jan 2011
I’ve been thinking about my life and how so much of it has been lived selfishly and foolishly. On the surface I know that has never been my intention but the fact is that something has constantly driven me in that direction. I don’t advocate absolving responsibility, but it does seem as if the forces were beyond my control. I mean what could I do about forces that are coming from within me that I am not even aware of? There have been times where I wonder if I have done more damage on this earth than good.
I wonder if the fact that I dismiss them on an intellectual level is due to right reasoning, justification and just blindly sticking my head in the sand. One argument goes something like, “you can only do the best with what you have.” This would include things I am not yet aware of.
Life is a constant revelation of self, the true self. How can I be expected to have all knowledge if I have not lived, therefore I can only do the best with what I have. The argument goes with “hindsight is 20-20.” Of course it is, as I look back I have more knowledge. But moving in the forward direction – as life does – there is no way I can have tomorrow’s knowledge (and wisdom) today.
Of course, that argument fails when held up against the wisdom of others. We always have others that have tread the ground before us. Their knowledge/wisdom no matter whether it’s from their own learning or I watch them, oblivious to themselves, make mistakes and I learn from their errors, is an external form of knowledge which calls me to learn it’s wisdom.
But what about those forces? The common vernacular is baggage. Baggage is what drives me to do what I do. Baggage that at times seems unbearable, but yet I am unwilling to part with it, as a dear friend. Baggage determines my attitudes, my attitudes drive my actions. And as usually happens my actions cause the results that reinforce my belief system. It is a vicious cycle.
One truth I have found in life is that the cycle can be broken by doing what is contrary to all common sense. (concurrent with this discovery is the fact that the Bible was riddled with this truth long before “I” discovered it). In my mind it seems as if the world will fall apart if I break this cycle. In truth in will. My world revolved around this cycle, when the cycle stops the world as I know it ceases to exist. I am left in a new, sometimes frightening world in which I am unfamiliar and the rules are different.
I digress. If I ceased to exist today would the world be affected (aside from those few close to me)? But that’s the wrong question. If I ask the wrong question I get the wrong answer. The presumption in that question is that I am static; I am unchanging. Truth is, I have changed, I continue to change. Life is forward looking. The accurate question is, “If I ceased to exist today what affect would it have on those my onward growth touches.” The impact may seem small but it only takes a minute course correction to make HUGE changes over time. And time is what this world is made of. The effect of the smallest change in my life has incalculable impact over days, weeks, months, years and decades. Indirect influences are astronomical, spanning generations.
This all takes me back to the negative impact of my life on others. There has been lots of that. Should I run around living in the past or should I use the past and somehow redeem the weeds and thorns sown in my stubbornness and ignorance?
Is this all a cop out? Burying my head in the sand? Justification for the past? (and likely the future – after all my core is still pretty corrupted). I don’t know. What I do know is the source of the truths I have discovered in life and my hope is to trust in the truths still to be grasped like the idea of my worthiness in spite of myself.
Nearly a year ago I embarked on leading a Sunday morning study in the book of 1 Corinthians. The first week I had planned to cover verses 1-9 of chapter 1. They were all salutary verses, obligatory in a letter. I did not make it past verse 3 in 1½ hours. The reason was trying to understand why Paul, with all sincerity of heart would call those in Corinth SAINTS. There is no doubt to any scholar that this letter was written to a bunch of misfits. They were divisive. They were selfish. They were greedy, immoral, self-righteous and proud. They brought the ways of their culture into their church. They abused the grace of God in all forms of license. The women flaunted their independence and God’s order. The men had no qualms about taking their fellow believers to court to get what was due them.
And Paul called them saints.
I could take the self-righteous approach and reproach them for things I would never do. But you know what? I have committed many of the exact offenses. I am in their class.
Positionally I am a saint. Functionally I am a sinner. A saint that sins. Not pretty but the truth is my identity is clear. The real issue in this life is to live up to my calling. It’s not where I’m at it’s where I am going. Life is forward moving, not static, not backward motion.
Time only moves in one direction and it never stops.
Fri 7 Jan 2011
1 Corinthians 14:1-25
Building Up the Body
Date: 9-Jan-11
Purpose (Why am I teaching this lesson? What effect did the writer expect it to have on the recipients?)
The purpose of this lesson is to open up dialog regarding what the gift of tongues is and is not
Theme (What central idea does this passage communicate?)
Tongues must be used for the edification of the Body
Introduction
Review & Homework:
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Outline
A. Salutations & Reminders (v1:1-1:9)
B. Divisions within the church (v1:10-4:21)
C. …of conduct unbecoming a believer (v5:1-13) {church discipline}
D. Dealing with offenses in The Body (v6:1-11)
E. The bondage of sexual sin (v6:12-20)
– Now For The Matters You Wrote About –
F. Marriage, Divorce & Singleness (v7:1-40)
G. Christian Liberty (v8:1-11:1)
H. Order in Worship (v11:2-14:39 )
1. Submission to established order (v11:2-16)
2. Order in the Observance of the Lord’s Table (v11:17-34)
3. About Spiritual Gifts (v12:1-11)
— Indentifying your Spiritual Gift(s) –
4. The functioning of Spiritual Gifts (v12:12-31a)
5. The rule of using Spiritual Gifts (v12:31b -13:13)
Ü 6. Proper use of the sign gifts (v14:1-25)
7. Orderly worship (v14:26-39)
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Homework
- Read 1 Corinthians 14:1-25 and complete a page in your study booklet
- Come to class with one (or both) of these:
- What can you glean from this passage about the nature and purpose in the gift of tongues?
- What problems does this passage create? (Does it challenge your thinking? Are there apparent contradictions? What problems has it created in the church as a whole?)
à Bring all your “problems” with this passage to class and let’s discuss them to bring light to this area.
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This chapter is crowded with difficulties. It does not seem likely that the Holy Spirit should, in a church, suddenly inspire a man with the knowledge of some foreign language, which none in the church understands without an interpreter – why not speak in the plain language of the hearer? One the other hand, if the language referred to is a “heavenly language” for personal edification then how does it fit into the class of gifts which edify the body?
Some have reconciled this by saying it WAS a known language, like ancient Hebrew, which no one knows today. The rationale being possibly that Hebrew was a reminder that Truth came through the Jewish nation.
There is no doubt that tongues was being abused at Corinth. After a discussion of spiritual gifts and their diversity and function within the body, followed by a discourse in active love as the method of use, the apostle spends a significant amount of time to specifically address the proper use of tongues within the church.
METHOD OF DISCERNING A DIFFICULT PASSAGE
Before we look at this difficult passage we must first clearly discern what the central message is. After we have determined this central message we can place all our observations and questions in the context of that central message.
- What is the occasion (reason) for the writing of 1 Corinthians?
- What verse in the boot best sums up the theme of 1 Corinthians? [hint:see cover of study guide – 1 Cor. 1:10]
- In the greater passage (1 Corinthians 11-14), what is the central message? [Order in worship]
- Within this text what are the main ideas which all other text seems to support? Note: in several translations the translators built paragraphs around what they thought were developed thoughts… Do you agree with the translators (don’t assume they got it right)?
- Consolidate the main ideas into one central idea [v14:1, 3, 6, 13, 25 – were what I see as central]
THESIS: “eagerly desire… prophecy(v1)… everyone speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort”
Restated: “Be eager to do what builds others up for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort”
- TEST: Does this thesis fit the immediate context, greater context and the letter as a whole?
- Pray and meditate on this – what does God say?
The Text
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Scripture
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Observation
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1 Corinthians 14:1-5
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What to Chase After
1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.
3 But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.
4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.
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“Follow the way of love” – better translated “Pursue love” (NASB) – diōkō (grk) = “to pursue; to hunt, chase with intensity” In some contexts it is translated “persecute”
“eagerly desire”
¿: Is the apostle saying we should not be content with the gift(s) we were given?
¿: Can we decide the gift we have?
¿: What reaction is expected when the hearers hear “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire…”? [they will be less enamored by what currently holds their attention]
There is considerable debate over the nature of “speaking in a tongue.” Was tongue speaking a known language of men or was it a “heavenly” language?
Tongues – known or unknown language?
See:
Ü v13:1 – language of angels?
Ü v14:4 – praying “in the spirit?”
¿: Why does v2 say tongues “speaks to God?”
Ü Matthew 6:7 addresses meaningless repetition in prayer. Does this apply?
Ü The Lord’s prayer is a model of a simple prayer (cf. Matt 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4)
v4 seems to refer to personal edification. See Romans 8:26.
¿: What are your thoughts?
¿: In light of 1 Cor. 12 & 13 do you think Paul is building up the use of a private use of tongues?
Ü The gifts were given for common good (cf. 1 Cor 12:7), this does not exclude personal benefit, but it does mean that its direct usage was to be primarily focused within the Body.
Ü Love focuses on others not self (1 Cor. 13:4-8)
“I would like every one of you to speak in tongues”
¿: Was this a command? (see 1 Cor 7:7 re: celibacy)
¿: Did Paul expect all to speak in tongues? [1 Cor 12:29-30]
Obviously they didn’t all have the gift of tongues nor would they. Paul uses this hyperbole to elevate speaking intelligible words in prophecy. The point is not that he actually desires all to prophesy, the point is that tongues is relatively unimportant when it comes to edifying the body. It’s about edifying the Body.
¿: Does this mean there is not a private prayer language?
From these verses we can deduce that tongues was:
1) known language, but unknown to the hearers (as at the day of Pentecost)
Or/And
2) language unknown to mankind that requires interpretation for men to understand
Either way, the following passage clarifies the proper use of this speaking…
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1 Corinthians 14:6-12
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Intelligibility Edifies
6 Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?
7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes?
8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?
9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.
10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.
12 So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.
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For a message to be profitable it must be understood
Note that Paul is not discouraging their zeal in the use of tongues, instead he is encouraging the desire they edify the church with their gift.
Ü There is no dispute that one sense of the gift of tongues was speaking in a known language without having studied it for the purpose of communicating God’s truth while at the same time validating the message was from God.
READ: A Private Prayer Language
Ü There is no clear teaching which speaks of a second variation of this gift for personal use as a language unknown to man. This IS NOT to say God doesn’t use whatever means He wishes to communicate with us today.
- We know that the gifts were given for the “common good”
- We know that when God speaks He will often validate His word through unique methods so we have no doubt it is Him speaking. This may include some unique circumstance, visions, dreams, His Word, etc. This does not exclude a supernatural utterance.
A key factor would be, “is the meaning of what God is saying to me clear?”
Ü God may give a supernatural utterance as a confirming sign and that’s a clear meaning.
Ü But if someone continually speaks in tongues with no idea what is being said, it seems improbable that the spirit can edify because of the emphasis placed on understanding in this chapter. The clearest way to edify is simplest.
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1 Corinthians 14:13-19
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1 Corinthians 14:13-17
13 For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says.
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 mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.
16 If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?
17 You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
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10,000 is the largest Greek number
¿: John MacArthur sees this section as sarcastic in tone (he also validates this thinking because of the singular and plural tenses used with the word tongues – in one sense it’s counterfeit in the other it’s anointed). He says counterfeit tongues are being reprimanded, thoughts?
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1 Corinthians 14:20-25
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1 Corinthians 14:22-25
20 Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.
21 In the Law it is written: “Through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me,” says the Lord.
22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.
23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
24 But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all,
25 and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”
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“stop thinking like children” – children prefer amusement to usefulness; flashy things to stable things.
¿: How does this phrase have application in our lives: “Be childlike when it comes to evil but in other matters think and act with maturity?”
v21 is a quote from Isaiah 28:11. In this verse God says that because the children of Israel had rejected His message and had mocked it, He would speak to them through a foreign language. The fulfillment of this took place when the Assyrian invaders came into the land of Israel, and the Israelites heard the Assyrian language being spoken in the midst. This was a sign to them of their rejection of God’s word.
v22 makes it clear that tongues was intended by God to be used for unbelievers (as in the context of Isaiah 28:11), so therefore should not be so valued in the assembly.
“some who do not understand” – implication is that some do understand.
¿: How would you reconcile the apparent contradiction between “a sign for unbelievers” (v22) and “unbelievers come in, and say they’re out of their mind.?”
Ü v22 is listed for those who have rejected the word and closed their hearts. – for them it’s a sign of judgment.
Üv23 & 24 are for those unbelievers who are open, as evidenced by their physical presence – for them there will be no understanding
“secrets of his heart” – it’s the truth that will expose the hearers heart and convict him of sin.
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Conclusion
Personal Application:
¿: Did you personally glean any truths from this passage?
¿: Where the tools (methods) useful for other scriptures?
Homework:
- Read 1 Corinthians 14:26-39
Sat 1 Jan 2011
It’s a new year. A time for beginnings. Like a cyclical springtime of life, this is a time to clear out the dead so the new can sprout.
Blessings to all
