I. Verse 21-22, "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. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, to them that believe not: but prophesying
serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe."
A. This is quoted from Isaiah 28:11-12. This particular prophecy dealt with the time
when Israel and Judah were invaded by the Assyrians, as is noted in II Kings 17-18.
The phrase "this people" distinguishes the Jews, while "men of other tongues and lips"
is a reference to the Assyrians. The threats of the Assyrians, who spoke both Assyrian
and Hebrew, did not change the rebellion and unbelief of the Jews. This speaking in
foreign languages was designed as a sign to the Jews; but they did not see it. And,
knowing the results of his forefathers' "unbelief," Paul now applies the same
principle at Corinth. "Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but
to them that believe not."
B. The expression "other tongues" is heteroglassais, foreign languages, dialects.
C. "Tongues" in verse 22 is from haiglossai. Both of these verses are united by the
inferential conjunction "wherefore," denoting that in each case the reference is to
"foreign languages" and not to mere ecstatic sounds.
D. The term "law" speaks merely of the Old Testament Scriptures. Such an expression is
relatively common in the New Testament. (See Jn 10:34; 12:34; 15:25; Rm 3:19 and
others)
E. The foreign languages were to serve as signs for the "unbelieving" Jews especially
since they alone would understand the illustration cited from Isaiah. The "sign" was
intended to remind of, as well as point toward, the certainty of judgment for all
unbelievers. Hebrews 9:27 says, "It is appointed unto men once to die, and after this
the judgment."
F. Contrariwise, "prophesying" was "for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to them
that believe" (ASV). It showed believers how God can light the path of the redeemed
even during a time of an incomplete revelation from Him.
II. Verse 23, "If therefore the whole church 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?"
A. Paul now states an hypothetical case to reveal the mass confusion, not to mention
the ridicule by "unbelievers," wherever men disregard God's order in and purpose for
tongues.
B. Remember it is the "Jews (who) require a sign" (I Cor 1:22; 14:21-22). The very
first occurrence of tongues (Acts 2:1-13) was given exclusively as "a sign to
unbelieving Jews." Each instance where tongues were spoken, Jews were present.
C. Yet Paul lists two classes of folks outside the church who nevertheless visited the
services when "the whole church came together into one place."
1. "Unlearned" is idiotes, originally meant "a private person in contrast to a state
official. Hence, one without professional knowledge, unskilled and uneducated. In
other words, not a member of the church, thus unfamiliar with the nomenclature
thereof. Therefore he was uneducated in the gifts, purposes and terms of endurance of
"tongues and prophesyings."
2. "Unbelievers" is from apistos or with faith. These were Jews who had not turned and
believed the gospel.
D. "Ye are mad." This reaction is normal for the unbelieving Jew, as is seen in Acts
2:13 where tongues were first spoken miraculously by the apostles.
III. Verse 24-25, "But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or
one that is unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: 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."
A. Not that all the church had the same gift. Rather that in any case wherein the
prophetic gift was given precedence over tongues, and results on the two types of
visitors will be noticeably better. Since prophesy is designed to edity, encourage and
comfort (I Cor 14:3), the message revealed through prophets will "divide, cut and
discern" (Heb 4:12) the mind and prick the conscience of unbelieevers. And this
because it is given in their language and is designed to give light. But tongues were
designed merely as a sign for unbelieving Jews; and being in a foreign language, would
not do a thing constructively for a lost man, as to informing him of his need of a
Savour.
B. Thus the result will be enlightenment, then conviction, and wherever believed,
conversion . II Corinthians 4:3-6 whos that same order of truth.
C. The word "convinced" is actually elencho, reproved or convicted rather than
convinced.
D. "He is judged" is anakrinetai, is examined, or tested as in I Corinthians 2:15 and
I Corinthians 4:3. In other words his heart, mind, is searched or is inwardly sifted.
E. Thus "are the secrets of his heart made manifest." This is not a public
manifestation but a private one. He sees in order the following:
1. The revelation of truth against all unbelievers.
2. He stands convicted in the light of that truth.
3. As a result, the veil is removed form his mind that he may truly see himself as God
sees him. Observe in II Kings 5:26 this kind of an experience between Elijah and
Gehazi. Again in John 1:47-51, Jesus and Nathanael and in John 4, Jesus and the woman
of Samaria.
F. What kind of reaction will this bring about? First, he believes. Second, he falls
on his face and worships. Third, he gives public witness as to what he saw, realized
and now knows.
III. Verse 26, "How is it then? 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."
A. Paul does not command them for this. Rather, he uses this to reveal to them how far
they have missed the mark in their worship.
B. But do not we the same? We all have our separate ideas, promotions, little
campaigns, etc. How we need to realize the value and importance of seeing that "all
things be done unto edifying." Worship should be as a great spiritual banquet for
which each member brings his quota, then all share equally and are together benefitted
and strengthened and built up. But how sad if all brought the same thing. It takes a
number of things properly blended and proportioned to make a great feast or banquet.
So in the worship. JM
will I speak unto this people: and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the
Lord. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, to them that believe not: but prophesying
serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe."
A. This is quoted from Isaiah 28:11-12. This particular prophecy dealt with the time
when Israel and Judah were invaded by the Assyrians, as is noted in II Kings 17-18.
The phrase "this people" distinguishes the Jews, while "men of other tongues and lips"
is a reference to the Assyrians. The threats of the Assyrians, who spoke both Assyrian
and Hebrew, did not change the rebellion and unbelief of the Jews. This speaking in
foreign languages was designed as a sign to the Jews; but they did not see it. And,
knowing the results of his forefathers' "unbelief," Paul now applies the same
principle at Corinth. "Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but
to them that believe not."
B. The expression "other tongues" is heteroglassais, foreign languages, dialects.
C. "Tongues" in verse 22 is from haiglossai. Both of these verses are united by the
inferential conjunction "wherefore," denoting that in each case the reference is to
"foreign languages" and not to mere ecstatic sounds.
D. The term "law" speaks merely of the Old Testament Scriptures. Such an expression is
relatively common in the New Testament. (See Jn 10:34; 12:34; 15:25; Rm 3:19 and
others)
E. The foreign languages were to serve as signs for the "unbelieving" Jews especially
since they alone would understand the illustration cited from Isaiah. The "sign" was
intended to remind of, as well as point toward, the certainty of judgment for all
unbelievers. Hebrews 9:27 says, "It is appointed unto men once to die, and after this
the judgment."
F. Contrariwise, "prophesying" was "for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to them
that believe" (ASV). It showed believers how God can light the path of the redeemed
even during a time of an incomplete revelation from Him.
II. Verse 23, "If therefore the whole church 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?"
A. Paul now states an hypothetical case to reveal the mass confusion, not to mention
the ridicule by "unbelievers," wherever men disregard God's order in and purpose for
tongues.
B. Remember it is the "Jews (who) require a sign" (I Cor 1:22; 14:21-22). The very
first occurrence of tongues (Acts 2:1-13) was given exclusively as "a sign to
unbelieving Jews." Each instance where tongues were spoken, Jews were present.
C. Yet Paul lists two classes of folks outside the church who nevertheless visited the
services when "the whole church came together into one place."
1. "Unlearned" is idiotes, originally meant "a private person in contrast to a state
official. Hence, one without professional knowledge, unskilled and uneducated. In
other words, not a member of the church, thus unfamiliar with the nomenclature
thereof. Therefore he was uneducated in the gifts, purposes and terms of endurance of
"tongues and prophesyings."
2. "Unbelievers" is from apistos or with faith. These were Jews who had not turned and
believed the gospel.
D. "Ye are mad." This reaction is normal for the unbelieving Jew, as is seen in Acts
2:13 where tongues were first spoken miraculously by the apostles.
III. Verse 24-25, "But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or
one that is unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: 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."
A. Not that all the church had the same gift. Rather that in any case wherein the
prophetic gift was given precedence over tongues, and results on the two types of
visitors will be noticeably better. Since prophesy is designed to edity, encourage and
comfort (I Cor 14:3), the message revealed through prophets will "divide, cut and
discern" (Heb 4:12) the mind and prick the conscience of unbelieevers. And this
because it is given in their language and is designed to give light. But tongues were
designed merely as a sign for unbelieving Jews; and being in a foreign language, would
not do a thing constructively for a lost man, as to informing him of his need of a
Savour.
B. Thus the result will be enlightenment, then conviction, and wherever believed,
conversion . II Corinthians 4:3-6 whos that same order of truth.
C. The word "convinced" is actually elencho, reproved or convicted rather than
convinced.
D. "He is judged" is anakrinetai, is examined, or tested as in I Corinthians 2:15 and
I Corinthians 4:3. In other words his heart, mind, is searched or is inwardly sifted.
E. Thus "are the secrets of his heart made manifest." This is not a public
manifestation but a private one. He sees in order the following:
1. The revelation of truth against all unbelievers.
2. He stands convicted in the light of that truth.
3. As a result, the veil is removed form his mind that he may truly see himself as God
sees him. Observe in II Kings 5:26 this kind of an experience between Elijah and
Gehazi. Again in John 1:47-51, Jesus and Nathanael and in John 4, Jesus and the woman
of Samaria.
F. What kind of reaction will this bring about? First, he believes. Second, he falls
on his face and worships. Third, he gives public witness as to what he saw, realized
and now knows.
III. Verse 26, "How is it then? 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."
A. Paul does not command them for this. Rather, he uses this to reveal to them how far
they have missed the mark in their worship.
B. But do not we the same? We all have our separate ideas, promotions, little
campaigns, etc. How we need to realize the value and importance of seeing that "all
things be done unto edifying." Worship should be as a great spiritual banquet for
which each member brings his quota, then all share equally and are together benefitted
and strengthened and built up. But how sad if all brought the same thing. It takes a
number of things properly blended and proportioned to make a great feast or banquet.
So in the worship. JM
| Chapter 24 Table of Contents Back to Home Page Send us E-Mail Church Phone - (254) 865-6924 |
Website design by
Laura Slack
Copyright © 2007
Gateway Baptist
Church
All Rights Reserved
Laura Slack
Copyright © 2007
Gateway Baptist
Church
All Rights Reserved
| Gateway Baptist Church Independent Unaffiliated Separated Soul-Winning KJV "It Does Make A Difference What You Believe". |
| "Comparison of the Gifts of Tongues and Prophesy" Part V I Corinthians 14:21-26 CHAPTER 23 By John C. Morgan |