But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
1 Corinthians 14:1-25
Paul says that intelligible speech is superior to the exercise of tongues in corporate worship because when people understand the language being spoken, they are able to be built up in the faith. However, this does not mean that the Apostle saw no place for speaking in tongues in the public worship of the first-century church. That is clear because Paul says that tongues are permitted if someone is present in the congregation to interpret the language. With interpretation, the tongues become intelligible to those who do not speak the language, and thus the body of Christ is edified. Paul goes on to distinguish praying and singing with one’s spirit and praying and singing with one’s mind. Paul does not divorce the operation of the Spirit from intelligible speaking and praying. He exhorts us in Ephesians 6:18–20 to pray in the Spirit, offering up supplications that involve our praying intelligibly for the people of God according to the needs we know that they have. To sing and pray in the Spirit is to sing and pray using one’s gifts, and to pray and sing with the mind is to use our thoughts and understandable language in the power of the Spirit. To make it clear that Paul’s teaching was not grounded in a lack of speaking in tongues, Paul writes that he spoke in tongues more than any of the Corinthians. Yet, it was better for him to speak five words that could be understood by all. Paul’s focus on praying with one’s mind and the need for intelligible speech reminds us of the importance of exercising our minds as we grow in Christ. Our sanctification, growth in holiness, does not bypass the mind. It occurs as we seek to understand and apply doctrinal truth to our lives. As we engage our minds in the study of Scripture and by paying heed to biblical preaching, we are built up in holiness and love.
Source: S C Ball November 9, 2023
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