With the gifts of the Holy Spirit given to us for the benefit of others, how are we to use these gifts? First and foremost, in love. But in practical application Paul helps us to understand the best way forward. He lays out what should be obvious, but what is obvious to us may not be obvious to others, and that is why there are varying amounts and degrees of operation of the gifts of the spirit in our churches today. It almost feels like Paul is overstating proper procedure, as if he has to talk about it enough for the Corinthians to understand it. What we see today is that people use parts of the statements Paul made to the Corinthians as their jumping off point to a new doctrine of not utilizing the gifts of the Holy Spirit. People also use those new doctrines to completely abolish speaking in unacquired languages. It is easy to come up with new religions this way, but is this teaching what Paul actually taught? Or is this teaching heterodidaskaleō, another similar teaching? The foundation of heterodidaskaleō is pride, therefore we understand that anyone teaching something different than Paul has a problem with pride. There are entire new religious doctrines made up by taking what Paul says out of context. Let’s not do that.
In order to get this right we should humble ourselves to the written words that the Holy Spirit gave to faithful men. If our approach to the gifts of the Spirit is in love then we will be fine. If our approach to the gifts of the Spirit is anything other than what Paul wrote, we will be considered prideful and haughty. Love will never be fruitless or fade away.
1 Corinthians 13:8 G3588 The G26 love G3763 at no time G1601 falls off. G1535 But whether G1161 G4394 prophecies, G2673 they shall cease work; G1535 whether G1100 languages, G3973 they shall cease; G1535 whether G1108 knowledge, G2673 it shall cease work.
“The agapē never at all to drop away, but if too prophecy abolish, if too unacquired languages stop, if too knowledge abolish.”
Ekpiptō means to “drop away, be driven out of one’s course or to lose, or become inefficient”. Love is never driven out. This tells us that in the future millennial kingdom love is still in operation. Love never stops being important. Prophecy and knowledge will be abolished and unacquired languages will stop, but love will never end. Paul is bringing us to an understanding of the millennial kingdom in that love will never drop away. There will not be a need for prophecy, knowledge, or unacquired languages in the millennial kingdom. We do not need the Holy Spirit for those things, because Jesus will be on the earth.
We have all heard people say that the gifts of the Spirit passed away with the apostles, and this is the scripture that they point to. Silly. That is not what Paul said. The need for the gifts of the Spirit is in our age, our church age. Paul points out three things: prophecy, glōssa, and knowledge. If tongues stopped we wouldn’t know it because knowledge and prophecy are severed/abolished. How would prophecy and knowledge be severed? When we enter the age of the millennial kingdom. The only time glōssa stops is when there is no need for our spirit to pray via the Holy Spirit. This tells us that in the next age the Holy Spirit will not need to indwell people. Therefore knowledge and prophecy is severed and tongues stops. Paul will explain the completion shortly.
1 Corinthians 13:9 G1537 [2in G3313 3part G1161 1But] G1097 we know, G2532 and G1537 in G3313 part G4395 we prophesy.
“But from out of portion I come to know and from out of portion prophesy.”
From out of the portion the Holy Spirit divides to us, we have knowledge and prophecy, which are another of a different type. Genos glōssa is another of the same type, or spirit to spirit. We only know and prophesy in our allotment, or piece, as it is divided to us from the Holy Spirit. We don’t have the whole pie on knowledge or prophecy, we only have a piece of the pie. Our piece of the pie might be different than the piece someone else has. It is as the Holy Spirit divides. If knowledge and prophecy are severed, it tells us that the Holy Spirit will not be dividing pieces among people.
1 Corinthians 13:10 G3752 But whenever G1161 G2064 [3should come G3588 1the G5046 2perfect], G5119 then G3588 the thing G1537 in G3313 part G2673 shall cease work.
“But whenever the complete (teleios) to come at that time the from out of portion abolish.”
Teleios means “complete” or “completeness”, as in complete labor, or growth. It is something brought to its end or finished. It is a form of telos, which is how David wrote his Psalms, ‘into the fulfillment’. Paul is talking about a time when something will be fulfilled or completed. Once it is completed then our portions are abolished. This is when tongues cease. This suggests a time of growth until maturity. Paul is talking about the age. We are in a time where humanity is growing and is helped by the portions from the Holy Spirit. The age will be complete when we move into the millennial kingdom. Once the age is complete our divided portions are finished. This is why knowledge and prophecy are severed and tongues stop, because it is the completion of the age.
Anyone who claims that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are finished or ended with the apostles is mistaken. We have not completed the age yet. The age or administration of the Holy Spirit for us lasts until the harpazo. Paul explains the maturity process.
1 Corinthians 13:11 G3753 When G1510.7.1 I was G3516 an infant, G5613 as G3516 an infant G2980 I spoke, G5613 as G3516 an infant G5426 I thought, G5613 as G3516 an infant G3049 I considered; G3753 but when G1161 G1096 I became G435 a man G2673 I ceased in G3588 the things G3588 of the G3516 infant.
“When I was infant like as infant spoke like as infant have understanding, like as infant calculate but when become man (anēr) I bring to naught the the infant.”
Paul is explaining our growth process. All of us start out unable to speak, reason, judge, calculate or compute. We grow up and we learn to speak, reason, judge, calculate, and compute. We are still in the process of growing up. Yes, even if we may be in our sunset years, we are still growing up in the Lord. When we behaved as an infant it was because we were infants. We would not expect a forty year old adult to throw themselves on the floor and have a tantrum. When we grew up we stopped doing that. Now here is something to ponder. If we are immature and cry about not understanding the gifts of the Spirit then we need to grow up. We need to do the work to become mature. Then we will understand the gifts of the Holy Spirit and receive them.
1 Corinthians 13:12 G991 For we see G1063 G737 now G1223 by G2072 a mirror G1722 in G135 an enigma, G5119 but then G1161 G4383 face G4314 to G4383 face. G737 Now G1097 I know G1537 in G3313 part, G5119 but then G1161 G1921 I shall recognize G2531 as G2532 also G1921 I was recognized.
“For look just now through mirror in obscureness but then face to face. At this moment I come to learn from out of portion/division but at that time I come to discern just as and I come to recognize.”
The idea is that we look into a mirror and see riddles, or obscureness. We do not understand the dark sayings of the mirror. But then we will see Yahweh face to face. Right now we learn by the portion that we are divided. When we see him face to face then we will discern and recognize. If someone is handing our apple pie slices all I know is the piece I have, but once I see the one giving out the pie I can understand the whole pie.
It is alright not to know everything. It is alright not to understand all things. Learning helps us grow up, but then we may still not know everything. This is an interesting point in our age. We have the ability to learn from many people and take what we learn and build upon it. We have to understand that not one person, not one church, and not one denomination has all the answers. They all have pieces and portions. The Southern Baptists have their portion. The Methodists have their portion. The Catholics have their portion. We may love our denomination and believe that they have all the answers, but they only have a portion.
1 Corinthians 13:13 G3568 But now G1161 G3306 abide G4102 belief, G1680 hope, G26 love, G3588 G5140 these three; G3778 G3173 but greater G1161 G3778 of these G3588 is the G26 love.
“But now at this very time remains trust/faith, expectation/hope, love the three this but great (megas) this the love.”
Interesting. Paul points out what remains at this present time. We only have one portion or division, so we need trust, expectation, and love. This is how we survive through the riddles and obscureness that we see. We don’t understand the dark sayings until we see Jesus face to face. So for right now, we need trust in Him and his plans. We need expectation for all things to work out for good. We need love to give to others because it heals all the broken parts and never fails.
1 Corinthians 14:1 G1377 Pursue G3588 the G26 love, G2206 and be zealous G1161 G3588 for the G4152 spirituals! G3123 but more G1161 G2443 that G4395 you should prophesy.
“Run after the love but eager for the spiritual but rather in order that be an interpreter (prophesy).”
Point one, run after love. Point two, be eager or zealous for the spirituals pneumatikos, the non-carnal. Point three, be an interpreter, foretell events, speak under inspiration, or exercise the prophetic office. To walk in love and be eager for spiritual things, is our foundation. Next we are to speak under inspiration, not for our own benefit, or for a show, but for the benefit of others. It would be great in every church to have prophetic ministry. The problem we always run into is our humanness. We seek position or power. What we should be seeking is Yahweh.
When people try to eliminate genos glōssa they make a fatal mistake. The heteros gift of tongues is Holy Spirit infusing into our spirit. Speaking in unacquired languages builds us up, and helps us to be more receptive to the voice of the Holy Spirit. If we want to be able to prophesy or speak knowledge and wisdom, we have to connect with the Holy Spirit through two things. One is faith. The second is kinds of tongues, genos glōssa. Faith paves the way to receive tongues, as on the day of Pentecost. These two heteros gifts are like a fuel line to the Holy Spirit. If someone thinks themselves to be a prophet, that one must have the connection with the Holy Spirit that faith and glōssa provide.
Prophets in the Bible were always under the gun, hated, and persecuted. Prophets in our age are celebrated with a fan following. Our prophets wear fancy clothes, drive expensive cars, and have a position of stature in the church. None of our prophets are thrown into septic tanks, none are hunted and on the run, none are thrown into prison. Why? Because our prophets do not truly prophesy. When we can prophesy with precision, and call out the sins of our leaders, warning people not to follow, we will be thrown into a lions den as Daniel was, twice, or into a septic tank as Jeremiah was. Being an interpreter of the Elohim, as in prophecy, comes with risks.
1 Corinthians 14:2 G3588 For the one G1063 G2980 speaking G1100 a language, G3756 [2not G444 3to men G2980 1speaks], G235 but G3588 G2316 to God. G3762 For no one G1063 G191 hears, G4151 but in spirit G1161 G2980 he speaks G3466 mysteries.
“For the speaking unacquired languages speaks not manfaced however the Elohim for hear but spirit speaks a mystery.”
If I speak in an unacquired language I am not speaking to humans, I am speaking to the Elohim, Father, Son, and/or Holy Spirit. Our spirit speaks a mystery. This is a great benefit to speaking glōssa, we are speaking to the Elohim. This gets lost in the context here because Paul is trying to help people understand that in a public meeting, in the church, we are speaking to humans who would not understand what we are saying, unless someone can interpret. This is why Paul is writing this section to the Corinthians, he wants them to understand that anyone can speak in an unacquired language but in a public meeting, where new believers and unbelievers are checking out the group, prophesying is better because everyone will understand it. This does not mean that we shouldn’t speak glōssa, we should definitely be speaking mysteries to the Elohim, just not publicly, unless we are in an open prayer meeting, where everyone prays out loud at the same time, together.
1 Corinthians 14:3 G3588 But the one G1161 G4395 prophesying, G444 [2to men G2980 1speaks] G3619 for edifying G2532 and G3874 comfort G2532 and G3889 consolation.
“But the prophecy speaking manfaced building up, and exhortation, and encouragement. “
Prophecy is for edification, which is building people up. Prophecy is for calling to one’s aid, exhortation, or entreaty. Prophecy is for encouragement, comfort, or persuasion. Everyone can understand what is being said and they are edified, exhorted, or comforted. The prophet is an interpreter of what the Elohim wants to say to people. Whether the prophet is speaking in the church or to kings and princes, it is to come from the Elohim.
If we remember back to our study of Elijah running to Horeb, we remember that he ran four hundred miles. Not because he was scared, but because he wanted to hear from Yahweh. Once he got there Yahweh verbally asked Elijah why he was there. Yahweh then said that he would come by the cave the next day and to come out of the cave. Elijah freaked out with the commotion he heard outside the cave and he threw a leather garment over his head so he couldn’t see Yahweh. Then Yahweh asks Elijah the same question he asked the day before. It is amusing, but it points to the fact that sometimes we make a bigger deal over hearing from the Elohim than we need to. Yahweh will not always give us some great dissertation to speak to everyone, he may simply ask a question.
1 Corinthians 14:4 G3588 The one G2980 speaking G1100 a language G1438 edifies himself; G3618 G3588 but the one G1161 G4395 prophesying G1577 [2 the assembly G3618 1edifies].
“The speaking glōssa edified himself but the prophesying edifies ekklēsia.”
Makes sense right? Speaking in an unacquired language builds up the one speaking. That’s good to know. There is a real need for us to be built up. We need to develop our connection to the Holy Spirit and the more we speak mysteries the more we edify our own selves. This is for our own benefit. If we want to edify the church we interpret the Elohim for the church.
1 Corinthians 14:5 G2309 But I want G1161 G3956 you all G1473 G2980 to speak G1100 languages, G3123 but more G1161 G2443 that G4395 you prophesy; G3173 for greater G1063 G3588 is the one G4395 prophesying, G2228 than G3588 the one G2980 speaking G1100 languages, G1623 outside of G1508 unless G1329 he interprets, G2443 that G3588 the G1577 assembly G3619 [2edification G2983 1should receive].
“But desire you all speak glōssa but rather in that place prophesy. For great the prophesy than the speaking glōssa outside if not interpret in order that the ekklesia receive edification.”
In that place, the ekklesia, prophesy, or glōssa and interpret. Paul says that he wishes that everyone speaks in unacquired languages. Why? Because it is edifying to the individual, it is speaking mysteries, it is perfect prayer. Yet in the church, be an interpreter so that the people can understand and learn.
It is sad that most churches have shut down the prophetic, or attempt to control the prophetic. I realize that pastors fear someone saying something “wrong” or something that does not abide with their own personal theology. But attempting to control the Holy Spirit is a mistake. We all recognize that there are people in the church who are there to be seen and to become “famous” but maybe the Holy Spirit has a way to deal with those people. To compromise in this situation for a fearful pastor, why not ask people who feel they have a message from the Lord to the church, to write it down before the service. The pastor can then read it to everyone if he feels it is from the Lord. No one has to know who wrote it either, meaning that no one will become “famous” for their prophecies in the church. This will take courage for Pastors.
1 Corinthians 14:6 G3568 And now, G1161 G80 brethren, G1437 if G2064 I should come G4314 to G1473 you G1100 [2languages G2980 1speaking], G5100 what G1473 shall I benefit you, G5623 G1437 unless G3361 G1473 I shall speak to you G2980 G2228 either G1722 in G602 revelation, G2228 or G1722 in G1108 knowledge, G2228 or G1722 in G4394 prophecy, G2228 or G1722 in G1322 teaching?
“But now at this very time brothers, if I come to you speaking glōssa nothing help you if not I speak or in uncovering (revelation) or in knowledge, or in prophecy, or in teaching.”
Paul says that his speaking in unacquired languages does not help someone else, it only helps others if he speaks by revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or teaches. Now here is an idea, why not teach others how to speak in other languages? That way everyone can pray perfectly, speak mysteries, and edify themselves.
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2018/11/speaking-in-tongues-spirit-joins-spirit.html
1 Corinthians 14:7 G3676 Even G3588 the G895 lifeless things G5456 [2a sound G1325 1giving], G1535 whether G836 pipe, G1535 whether G2788 harp, G1437 if G1293 a distinction G3588 to the G5353 tones G3361 they should not G1325 give, G4459 how G1097 shall be known G3588 the thing G832 piped, G2228 or G3588 the thing G2789 being harped?
“Nevertheless the inanimate give sound and if flute and if harp if distinction the sound not give in a certain way I come to know the to play on the flute or the play on the harp.”
We all know what a flute sounds like and we all know what a harp sounds like. If somehow the flute sounded like a tuba and the harp sounded like ukulele we would wonder what happened.
1 Corinthians 14:8 G2532 For also G1063 G1437 if G82 [3a concealed G5456 4sound G4536 1a trumpet G1325 2should give], G5100 who G3903 shall make preparations G1519 for G4171 battle?
“And for if war-trumpet give indistinct sound who prepare into battle?”
Likewise if a war trumpet sounded like a Van Halen riff we wouldn’t know what to do. If an Amber alert sounded like the ice cream truck, we might walk outside for an afternoon treat.
1 Corinthians 14:9 G3779 So G2532 also G1473 you G1223 through G3588 the G1100 tongue, G1437 if G3361 [2not G2154 4a well-marked G3056 5word G1325 1you should 3give], G4459 how G1097 shall [3be known G3588 1the thing G2980 2being spoken], G1510.8.5 for you will be G1063 G1519 [2into G109 3air G2980 1speaking].
“So and you through the glōssa if give not with clear meaning/intelligible word in what manner I come to know the speech you will be for speaking into air.”
If we speak unintelligible words no one understands us, however that does not mean to never speak unintelligible words. People always use these ideas that Paul is speaking of to entirely eliminate the genos glōssa instead of understanding this in context. By ourselves genos glōssa is a heteros gift, something that doesn’t need to be divided on the spot, but is already portioned out by the Holy Spirit. In the church speak prophecy so others can understand, but speak in genos glōssa any other time.
1 Corinthians 14:10 G5118 [3so many G1487 1Since G5177 6by chance G1085 4kinds G5456 5of sounds G1510.2.3 2there are] G1722 in G2889 the world, G2532 and G3762 none G1473 of them G880 voiceless;
“Whether is so many genos sounds I obtain, in cosmos and not one them silent,”
Paul is saying something interesting here. If he obtains ‘many genos sounds’ tells us that there are many different languages that we may be speaking by the Spirit. We can have more than one prayer language. It is up to the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 14:11 G1437 if G3767 then G3361 I do not G1492 know G3588 the G1411 ability G3588 of the G5456 sound, G1510.8.1 I will be G3588 to the one G2980 speaking G915 a barbarian; G2532 and G3588 the one G2980 speaking G1722 with G1473 me G915 a barbarian.
“If therefore not know the power the sound I will be the speaking a foreigner and the speaking in me foreign.”
This is self explanatory. Someone may not know that we are speaking genos glōssa, and that the power of what we are speaking is important, it just seems foreign to them. When the people heard the disciples speaking in genos glōssa on the day of Pentecost, they heard the wonderful works of the Elohim. They heard the wonderful works of the Elohim because they understood their own language being spoken. So it is possible for someone listening to another that is speaking in tongues, to hear a language that they know when the other person is speaking genos glōssa.
1 Corinthians 14:12 G3779 So G2532 also G1473 you, G1893 when G2207 you are zealous G1510.2.5 G4151 of spirits, G4314 [4for G3588 5the G3619 6edification G3588 7of the G1577 8assembly G2212 1seek G2443 2that G4052 3you should abound]!
“So and you after that you are zealous Spirit desire in order that exceed towards the building up the ekklesia.”
If you are zealous for the Spirit, desire to exceed in building up the church. The church needs building up in many areas and depending on ones’ gift, office, and operation, that one can build up the called out. What areas can we help others? Can we lead others into their prayer language? Can we teach others about the gifts of the Spirit?
1 Corinthians 14:13 G1355 Therefore G3588 let the one G2980 speaking G1100 a language G4336 pray G2443 that G1329 he should interpret!
“Wherefore the speaking unacquired languages pray for in order that interpret.”
If we are going to speak glōssa, we should also pray to receive the interpretation. Otherwise we can simply prophesy. The Elohim knows where we are and what things other people need to hear, all we need to do is obey the Holy Spirit and speak.
1 Corinthians 14:14 G1437 For if G1063 G4336 I should pray G1100 in a language, G3588 G4151 my spirit G1473 G4336 prays, G3588 G1161 but G3563 my intellect G1473 G175 is unfruitful. G1510.2.3
“For if I pray glōssa the my spirit prays but the my mind is without fruit.”
Speaking in an unacquired language is prayer, but when we speak in genos glōssa our mind isn’t learning anything. Our mind is not a part of this perfect prayer to the Elohim. This perfect prayer comes out of our spirit, not our mind. From the Holy Spirit to our spirit, to Yahweh’s ears. We don’t need to think about what we are saying, the words formulated, or what they sound like. We simply speak out and our mind can perform normal daily functions. We can speak glōssa and drive our car, exercise, or do whatever we need to do. We can speak glōssa quietly while others are praying or loudly listening to worship music. Our mind is not required.
1 Corinthians 14:15 G5100 What G3767 then G1510.2.3 is it? G4336 I will pray G3588 with the G4151 spirit, G4336 but I will pray G1161 G2532 also G3588 with the G3563 intellect. G5567 I will strum praise G3588 with the G4151 spirit, G5567 but I will strum praise G1161 G2532 also G3588 with the G3563 intellect.
“Anyone then is offer prayers the spirit but offer prayers and the mind. Sing the spirit but sing and the mind.”
We can both pray in the spirit and pray with the mind, not at the same time but we can speak in tongues or pray with words that we know. We can sing in the spirit and sing with words we know. When we speak genos glōssa we are praying better than we can when we use words that we know. Why? Because it is the Holy Spirit praying for a situation and the Holy Spirit knows far more than we do about everything. While we might pray for a matter, we might not know everything there is to know regarding the matter, but the Holy Spirit does.
Here we see Paul point out that we can sing in the spirit. It is simply the same as speaking, except we add a rhythm. While we listen to worship music we can sing our own genos glōssa along with the music. If we play an instrument like piano or guitar we can sing while we play. The mind plays the song, the spirit sings mysteries. Sing in the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 14:16 G1893 Since G1437 if G2127 you should bless G3588 with the G4151 spirit, G3588 the one G378 filling G3588 the G5117 place G3588 of the G2399 common person, G4459 how G2046 shall he say G3588 the G281 Amen G1909 at G3588 G4674 your G2169 thanksgiving, G1894 since G5100 what G3004 you say G3756 he does not G1492 know?
“After that if bless the Spirit the occupy the place the layman in a certain way speak the Amen upon the your thankfulness when someone speaks not know.”
Paul continues to drive the point home. If you are speaking in genos glōssa, no one will know how to agree with you in prayer or thanksgiving. If you spoke French to an English speaking church and told the church how happy you are that the Elohim healed you no one would be able to be happy for you. It is important to testify of the things that the Elohim does so that others can build their faith and rejoice. When someone gives a testimony, we should all jump up and down and shout Hallelujah!
1 Corinthians 14:17 G1473 [2you G3303 3indeed G1063 1For] G2573 well G2168 give thanks, G235 but G3588 the G2087 other G3756 is not G3618 edified.
“For you truly rightly give thanks except the other of the same (heteros) not built up.”
Paul says that we are correctly giving thanks in genos glōssa but no one else is built up. Therefore praise with your understanding in the church.
1 Corinthians 14:18 G2168 I give thanks G3588 to G2316 my God, G1473 G3956 [4than all G1473 5of you G3123 3more G1100 2with languages G2980 1speaking];
“Thanks the my Elohim speaking glōssa more you all.”
Paul speaks in tongues more than all the people in the Corinthian church. What should we be doing? We can see how the church at Corinth was concerned about speaking by the Holy Spirit and became unsure of the gifts of the Spirit. We can see how it is possible that the unbelievers and the unlearned were confused by speaking in unacquired languages. Paul gives them the plan, speak in known languages prophetically in the church or speak in tongues and interpret. Simple. Unacquired languages of the nations is for today, everyday, all day. Can we do better than Paul? We can try.
1 Corinthians 14:19 G235 but G1722 in G1577 the assembly G2309 I want G4002 [2five G3056 3words G1223 4through G3588 G3563 5my intellect G1473 G2980 1to speak], G2443 that G2532 also G243 others G2727 I should instruct, G2228 rather than G3463 ten thousand G3056 words G1722 in G1100 a language.
“But in church I will speak five words though the mind in that place and another of a different kind (allos) I instruct orally or ten thousand words in glōssa.”
The contrast is between words from the mind or words from the unacquired languages. Paul is clear, isn’t he? Help the unlearned along. Help them understand what the Lord Most High is doing in the church by using typical language and then teach them genos glōssa for their own personal lives.
1 Corinthians 14:20 G80 Brethren, G3361 [2not G3813 3children G1096 1be] G3588 in the G5424 senses, G235 but G3588 G2549 in evil G3515 act like infants, G3588 but in the G1161 G5424 senses G5046 [2complete G1096 1
become]!
“Brothers come into being not children the midriff otherwise badness childish but the midriff, come into being complete.”
The word midrif/midriff in Greek is phrēn meaning the “feelings or reins”. The reins are the kidney’s so this word midrif/midriff fits well here. The idea is not to behave like children with our emotions. What are childish emotions? Don’t behave badly like bratty children. Instead grow up. We don’t need to “show off” our prayer languages, we simply need to “show the way” to prayer languages.
1 Corinthians 14:21 G1722 In G3588 the G3551 law G1125 it has been written G3754 that, G1722 In G2084 other languages, G2532 and G1722 by G5491 [2lips G2087 1other] G2980 I shall speak G3588 G2992 to this people, G3778 G2532 and G3761 neither G3779 thus G1522 shall they listen to G1473 me, G3004 says G2962 the Lord.
“In the law written that in hetero-glōssa and in heteros lips speak the people this, and neither thus hearken me says Yahweh.”
Another similar unacquired language and another similar lips Yahweh will speak to his people. How does this work? With speaking in tongues and interpreting. Yahweh does the speaking. However the people didn’t hearken to Yahweh. Notice this from Isaiah. Isaiah is not in the law but this is as close as we may come to what Paul wrote.
Isaiah 28:11 G1223 because of G5336.5 disparagement G5491 of the lips; G1223 [3by G1100 5tongue G2087 4another G3754 1for G2980 2they shall speak] G3588 G2992 to this people, G3778
12 G3004 saying G1473 to it, G3778 This is G3588 the G371.1 rest G3588 to the G3983 one hungering, G2532 and G3778 this G3588 is the G4938 destruction; G2532 and G3756 they did not G2309 want G191 to hear.
Yahweh is speaking to His people, teaching them with worthless lips and other (heteros) tongues. This is a rest to Yahweh’s people and a true refreshing. The word φαυλισμόν means “of little worth” because if someone doesn’t know what you are saying, whatever their lips are doing are of little worth, or worthless. However this is how Yahweh teaches his people. I may not know with my mind what the words mean that I am speaking but my spirit grows, learns, and rests in Yahweh. This is how Yahweh chooses to teach his people, by growing their spirit.
1 Corinthians 14:22 G5620 So that G3588 the G1100 languages G1519 [2for G4592 3a sign G1510.2.6 1are], G3756 not G3588 to the ones G4100 believing, G235 but G3588 to the G571 unbelievers;…
“So that the glōssa are into sign/indication not the trusting however the unbelieving.”
Let’s think about this. While we may not know what we are saying, the Elohim does, and so if we are speaking by the Spirit then we are not cursing Jesus. Genos glōssa is a sign for unbelievers that points the way to the Holy Spirit. Even though unbelievers do not understand the words they see people doing something they can’t do. But do you know who does knows what we are saying? Demons. Drakōn. Satanas. Principalities. Powers. What happens when they hear the wonderful works of the Elohim? What happens when they hear the mysteries? Isn’t that what Paul told us Jesus’ plan was from the beginning for the church, to show His manifold wisdom to the principalities and powers? We might not know what we are saying but the other sons of God do.
1 Corinthians 14:22...G3588 G1161 and G4394 prophecy G3756 is not G3588 to the G571 unbelievers, G235 but G3588 to the ones G4100 believing.
“But the prophecy not the unbelievers however the trusting.”
Yet in the church, being an interpreter for the Elohim is not for the unbelievers. An unbelieving human has a brain like a brick. As we chip away at the brick by being an interpreter for the Elohim we weaken the brick until it turns back to clay. But speaking prophecy doesn’t help break the brick brain, the unbeliever can’t process the words. Prophecy is not for unbelievers, meaning the Elohim is not talking to unbelievers in prophecy, because they do not believe, but at least they heard words they knew. Edification, exhortation, and/or comfort are for believers.
Paul is pretty clear as to how he expects to see the gift of unacquired languages used in the church. It feels like he is belaboring the point, but he is trying to make it plain for everyone for the next two thousand years. This way there is no question as to what he wants to see in the church. Paul wants unbelievers to come to church. Paul wants them to become believers. If unbelievers hear genos glōssa they don’t understand what is going on any more than they can understand a prophecy because they lack faith. For unbelievers unacquired languages is a sign, something that points to the Holy Spirit. Prophecy is not for the unbeliever. If new believers go to church and they hear genos glōssa they do not understand what is being said. To believers listening to five people speak in other languages only, is not edifying. Believers understand prophecy, and they are edified, exhorted, or comforted by it. Paul wants everyone to speak in unacquired languages because they speak mysteries and the wonderful works of the Elohim. It is also for our own personal edification. We will finish out Paul’s thoughts next week.
