There are three groups – the tongue-speakers, prophets, and women (wives of the prophets?). We will look at the gender issue next time.
Paul has been emphasising God’s relationship with ‘all’. We ought to pray for all (2:1), God desires all to be saved (2:4), Christ gave Himself as a ransom for all (2:6), and this message is to be proclaimed to all (2:7).
Tongues are not very useful ‘in the church’ (v.19). In verses 20-25 Paul will say that they are not very useful for evangelising outsiders.
14:6. Intelligibility makes for edification.
There is nothing like a breath of fresh air after a bout of mask-wearing or a lockdown, and the same is true in looking at life, and the claims of the Christian faith. C. S. Lewis pointed out that ‘Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of …
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.
Jonathan Edwards wrote: ‘Heaven is a world of love.’
God moves in a mysterious way,/ His wonders to perform. So begins one of the finest hymns in the English language. It was penned by one of the most depressed men who ever lived, William Cowper, who was friends with one of the most grateful men who ever lived, John …
Daniel Andrews: ‘Love is love, fair is fair, and equality is not negotiable.’ That is precisely not what Paul is saying.
THE FABLE OF THE RELIGIOUS COMMISSIONER
Some of the frogs in the marsh came to think that they needed someone to lead them. It is true that they already had a parliament of owls, but, although they could all hoot like owls, there remained a fear that some hoots were …
