First Corinthians Chapter 14
Outline: I.
In the assembly: Prophecy is preferable to tongues: 14:1-12
II.
The need for interpretation in the assembly: 14:13-19
III.
Tongues are a sign to unbelievers: 14:20-25
IV.
The regulation of the gifts in the assembly: 14:26-40
While chapter 12 introduced the "more excellent way" (12:31), and chapter 13 defined it, chapter 14 reveals the practical demonstration of it. "This chapter shows that love for others will influence one to choose in preference to tongues, the more edifying gift of prophecy" (Erdman p. 143). The way of love will always direct Christians to select the gift that results in the most edification for the congregation (14:3-5,12). Many religious groups view the tongues described in this chapter as different from the tongues mentioned in Acts chapter 2:4-11. Barclay defines the popular view as follows: "In it a man became worked up to an ecstasy and a frenzy and in that state he poured out a quite uncontrollable torrent of sounds in no known language" (p. 142). Yet there exists no compelling reason to
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