1 Corinthians 14:1-5 Exposition

The text (esv)...

14:1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.
2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.
3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.
4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.
5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

Verse 1
Love is what all should seek first. Everything else comes after. If anything comes before loves, then it's meaningless.
All should earnestly desire spiritual gifts particularly prophesy for there is nothing greater than interpreting the scripture with accuracy. The imparting of Word benefits all more than any other gift.

Verse 2
"For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God"--- Corinth was an international checkpoint for merchants coming from Asia, Africa, and Europe. Tongues was beneficial to men when used properly with the intention of speaking a foreign language to edify someone who spoke that language. This beneficial purpose was contrary to the Corinthians' misuse of the gift where they spoke it for ostentatious display.
"for no one understands him"--- They used the gift of tongues improperly when it was not needed causing much confusion.
"but he utters mysteries in the Spirit"--- who but God can understand him? See 1 Cor. 14:14 for the emphasis on understanding.

Verse 3
"upbuilding and encouragement and consolation"--- Encouragement and consolation are both types of upbuilding (edification). Encouragement stirs people to pursue the right things and abstain from laziness or defeat. Consolation provides comfort for those bogged down by sadness, worry, distress, etc. Both are much approved in the worship place.

Verse 4
"The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself"--- All speakers ought to benefit from the sermon or message they preach. When the speaker is most edified by what he himself speaks then he is in great shape to speak to others of God's goodness. However, when he speaks in a language that only he and God can understand, then all others fail to reap any of the benefits. He alone feels moved by God while those around him are secluded from his revelation. He makes all others a fool because of his self-involvement.
"but the one who prophesies builds up the church"--- But he who speaks in a manner which all can understand brings great worship to God and clarity to the people.

Verse 5
"Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy"--- Paul stresses the importance of tongues so that it may lead to the benefit of prophesy. The ability to speak languages brings ripe opportunity for people to use the greater gift, prophesy the interpretation of scripture.
"The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up"--- He who speaks tongues for his own recommendation is useless. Usefulness is found in one who can share the found glory of God and build up the body. No part of Christ's body serves to build up only himself.

Verses 2-5... Prophecy is clearly a superior gift compared to tongues.
Verses 3-5 emphasize that all gifts ought to build up the church, not just the individual.




May we know Him better by the days,
Brendon

1 Corinthians 14:33 "For God is not a God of confusion but of peace."