Spiritual Gifts and Manifestations
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Spiritual Gifts and Manifestations

A brief, verse-by-verse look at 1 Corinthians 14

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In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul addresses a number of problems associated with how the Corinthians viewed and used spiritual gifts.

According to Paul, it is a good thing to eagerly desire spiritual gifts.

Paul not only encourages the pursuit of spiritual gifts, but he puts special emphasis on the desirability of the gift of prophecy. He does this in part because the Corinthians appeared to regard speaking in tongues as one of the highest gifts (and, perhaps, a sign of spirituality). Paul sets them straight:

When you speak in a tongue, you are not doing so for the benefit of others. You are speaking to God, not to men. Indeed, no one but God understands the tongue. This corresponds with Romans 8:26-27

Thus, Paul says, when you speak in tongues, the Spirit himself is interceding for us "with groans that words cannot express." However, God - the one who searches our hearts - knows the mind of the Spirit. Communication is taking place "in accordance with God's will."

As an aside: when you do pray in tongues, switch between praying in tongues and praying in your own language. More often than not you'll discover that when you pray in your own language, you will be praying things you would normally not have thought of or prayed for. Revelation is taking place.

In verse 3, Paul then juxtaposes prophesy over and against tongues:

While those who speak in tongues are having a private communication with God, those who prophesy do so for the common good of everyone present. Earlier, in Chapter 12, Paul had already stated that this is why manifestations of the Spirit are given:

To make sure the Corinthians knew what he meant, Paul sums it up again is verse 4.

To edify means "to build up." When Paul talks about the value of prophesy in the Church, he states:

Thus, Paul makes the following points:

• He would like everyone to speak in tongues

• However, he prefers that - when gathering with other Christians - everyone prophesies

• The person who prophesies is "greater" than the one who speaks in a tongue, unless the one who speaks in a tongue interprets the tongue.

Always pay attention to terms of conclusion, such as "so that." In this verse, we see that both prophecy and interpreted tongues are for the edification of the Church.

The person who - in a meeting - prophesies is "greater" than the person who only speaks in tongues, because prophecy edifies the Church, while tongues edify only the person speaking them. Only when a person's tongues are interpreted does the "greater than" distincition fall away.

If you only speak in tongues, without interpreting the tongues, you are not building up the church. Your speaking in tongues is of no practical value to others in the church. That is, unless you interpret those tongues. Notice how tongues are interpreted. Paul says that if he came to a meeting speaking in tongues, he would not be of any help to the Church, unless he brought:

• a revelation, or

• knowledge, or

• prophecy, or

• instruction

In Paul's list of spiritual gifts he mentions "various" or "different" kinds of tongues:

In 1 Cor 14:6 we get a glimpse of what kind of "varieties" of tongues there are. One tongue may be interpreted with a revelation, another with a word of knowledge, yet another with a prophecy, and another with a specific instruction (perhaps akin to the word of wisdom).

Clearly, each one of those interpretations would benefit the entire church.

This is such an important issue, that Paul belabors the point, illustrating it in various ways:

It is interesting that Paul says we should "try to excel." Spiritual gifts are given freely, and in various measures. In Romans 12 we read:

Thus, we see that we have gifts according to the grace given us, and that the gift of prophecy, for example, should be used in proportion to our faith.

Most gifts come with a learning curve. Therefore, we should continually try to excel in the gifts we receive - always with the aim to build up the church.

"This reason" refers to the fact that the gifts are to be used to build up the Church.

Here, again, we see the same things we discussed when we looked at verse 2.

The NIV's "those who do not understand" is better translated with "unlearned," or the NASB's "ungifted" (those not versed in spiritual gifts). If you speak in a tongue, without it being interpreted, others do not understand what is being communicated, and can therefore not agree with it, nor are they edified by it.

Paul does not want the Corinthians to disregard speaking in tongues, so he lets them know he himself speaks in tongues.

He always encourages the Corinthians to be mature rather than childish. In Chapter 3 he called them "babes in Christ," explaining why they should not be immature. In Chapter 13, while encouraging them to pursue love, he sets the example of doing away with childish things. Here, again, he tells them to be mature - this time with regard to their thoughts about spiritual gifts. The gifts are not given for show ("I am more gifted - or more spiritual - than you are"), but rather for mutual edification of the church.

Many Jews did not accept the Gospel. Paul sees in this a fulfillment of Isaiah 28:11ff.

Much of what is said and done in church meetings may be hard to understand by outsiders. That is not surprising, for even the word of the cross is - to those who are perishing - foolishness:

In fact, Paul says:

In Paul's days, the demonstrations of the Spirit's power were healings, words of knowledge, deliverances, etc. Nowhere do we see the Spirit's power equated with uncontrollable laughter, shaking, or roaring.

That doesn't necessarily mean it did not or should not take place at all.

Then what do such manifestations mean?

Some believe that genuine manifestations occur during so-called "power encounters" in which, they claim, the Holy Spirit does a supernatural work of equipping, cleansing, healing or dedication. Thus, such manifestations are seen as outward signs that an inner work is taking place. But they are not indications of extraordinary spirituality, a closer walk with the Lord, or a deeper level of experience (even though some people within the controversial renewal and revival movements sometimes make such claims).

Likewise, their absence does not indicate the Spirit is not at work, or that the person who does not manifest is less spiritual, less loved, or less blessed than the one who does.

In a way, such manifestations can be like uninterpreted tongues. They are for the benefit of the person receiving them, and not for the benefit of the entire body.

It follows that initiating, copying or otherwise manufacturing manifestations for any reason is useless and inappropriate. While we can and should yield to the working of the Holy Spirit, he will not be manipulated, so don't try to make something happen.

These type of manifestations often occur as the result of trigger words. However, if and when they occur, manifestations of this kind should not be encouraged, focussed on, or sough after. After all, the Bible focusses on manifestations that are for the common good :

It should also be noted that some manifestations can be demonic - intended to bring disorder, confuse, or deceive. The latter can (and does) happen when Christians fail to test such manifestations.

Unfortunately, this appears to be the case in some of today's most vocal renewal and revival movements, such as the Toronto Blessing and the Pensacola Outpouring. There, manifestations are becoming increasingly bizarre (see this A-Z Apologetics Index entry on Manifestations), as are the "interpretations" given to them.

At the same time, some critics of the "Toronto Blessing" or other renewal and revival movements tend to pay too much attention to the manifestations. Often, their focus is entirely out of balance (i.e. they have heard of people "barking", but though the practice fortunately is not wide-spread, their reports would have us believe nearly everyone involved in renewal and revival movements barks...).

Generally these critics are not in a position where they can

• apply spiritual discernment - such as the gift of distinguishing between spirits (1 Cor. 12:10 ),

• minister to and/or counsel those who manifest

• notice whether or not fruit results in the lives of those involved

It is good to examine everything carefully, but critics do need to adhere to the same Biblical principles they wish to hold others to. Scripture says:

Of course, this is true for proponents as well. Clearly, Paul indicates a balanced approach: while he them not to put out the Spirit's fire, he also tells his readers to test everything.

(NOTE: It is a good idea to examine what critics say. It never hurts to see a situation from a different perspective. This is especially important for people involved in today's most controversial renewal and revival movements. Indeed, the increasingly bizarre manifestations, coupled with countless aberrant and heretical teachings ought to put up red flags for everyone...)

Here we see a demonstration of the Spirit's power. A word of knowledge, that accurately exposes the secrets of a person's heart, will be a mightly indication to that person that "God is really among you." Uncontrollable laughing or shaking, especially when done at inappropriate times (such as during the message) will not have the same results.

Here, Paul gives practical instruction. This is the application of what he has said so far. Whenever you come together (not just every Sunday morning), everyone has something to contribute. And all of it must be done for the "strenghtening of the church." Hence, whatever edifies the church is acceptable.

Notice that "a tongue" is included. However, Paul qualifies this in the following verses:

Those who speak in tongues without interpreting their own tongues, must give opportunity for someone else to interpret. If it turns out that there is no one present who can or is willing to interpret, the ones who speak in tongues should cease to do so publicly. Instead, they can continue to speak in tongues quietly, as a means of communicating with God.

Paul introduces an additional rule. Remember verse 6:

Paul now says that every revelation, word of knowledge, prophecy or word of instruction must be "weighed" or "tested." What test is to be applied here? First of all, the test of Scripture:

Does what is being communicated agree with Scripture? If not, then what is being communicated should be rejected. Here we see the importance of knowing Scripture.

A lesser, but handy test, is to see if what is being communicated is in line with what God is doing at the moment. For example: if there is a sweet, peaceful time in which God's love and compassion are central, a harsh, judgmental word more than likely is coming from a person's own heart and mind rather than from God. God is not a God of confusion.

The nature of prophesy - speaking forth the words of God (communicating God's truths) - is such that those sharing could easily go on and on. Too, our own nature is often such that we like to hear ourselves talk. We like to be noticed (and, if at all possible, commended on our spirituality, our profound insight, or even how deeply we were touched or how long we manifested).

Paul said that whenever we come together everyone should have something to share. Ideally, who shares at what time is determined by the Holy Spirit himself. He moves freely from person to person, distributing to each one gifts to be shared for the common good:

Thus, all present should be sensitive to the leading and the moving of the Spirit.

Much has been written and said about the place and position of women in the church. A discussion of these issues is not within the scope of this article. Suffice it to say that Scripture and history show women experiencing and expressing the gifts of the Spirit, and using them for the edification of the Church. These verses are to be interpreted more in the cultural and specific setting to which they were addressed than in a general manner.

Paul expects his letter to have an impact. He writes with apostolic authority.

In closing this issue, Paul again encourages prophesy, and - to make sure the Corinthians do not go overboard - he tells them not to forbid speaking in tongues.

Based on everything he has shared on the subject, he states that everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

- See Also -

» Prophets and Prophecy

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Spiritual Gifts and Manifestations
First posted: Oct 28, 1996
Last Updated: May 31, 2001
Copyright: Apologetics Index
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