Paul compares two gifts – prophecy and tongues. The medicines in your medicine cupboard are good, if used rightly. Get the proportion wrong, and they can do damage. It is the same with the gifts.
- Tongues interpreted have the authority of prophecy.
- 14:5 (& verse 13). Roy Ciampa and Brian Rosner deny that Paul is equating tongues understood with prophecy. Wayne Grudem says prophecy is not like canonical Old Testament prophecy but inspired preaching. Abraham Kuyper: prophecy is ‘animated preaching, wherein the preacher feels himself cheered and inspired by the Holy Spirit.’
- But Joel 2:28 (on prophesy) was fulfilled in Acts 2:4, 6, 8, 11, 16-17 (tongues understood). Paul wishes that they all spoke in tongues, but he has already said that not all will (12:29-30; like Num.11:26-29).
- Our two priorities are to be love and prophecy.
- 14:1.
- Pursue love, as in 1 Corinthians 13.
- Earnestly desire prophecy. See 1 John 5:20 and 2 Tim.2:7.
- Prophecy is meant to build up, encourage and comfort.
- 14:2-4. Love does not seek its own (13:5), and gifts are for the good of all (12:7). Paul looks like he was being sarcastic in verse 4, The gifts are not mean to edify us but others.
- Paul writes of upbuilding and encouragement and consolation or comfort (NIV, NKJV). It is understanding that leads to this e.g. John 14:19 for comfort.