So …
This chapter always
causes a firestorm in church between men and women.
So, let me clarify
the hot potato topic: v. 34 – women talking in church. When this book was
written Jewish men and women were separated in the synagogues by a partition: Greek
men and women freely mingled, and Greek women were very vociferous; that lead
to chaos. Greeks thrived on chaos – chaos was their religion. ALL THIS VERSE IS
SAYING IS: save the loud and boisterous questions for later on – at home. When
in a public house of worship, let calmness reign: do not shout across the room
for your husband to clarify something for you! Ask for clarification at home.
Obviously, women
spoke in fellowship gatherings – some women were even ministering women. There
are many, many instances where Jewish women were placed in positions of
leadership. THIS PARTICULAR VERSE DOES NOT SPEAK TO THAT ISSUE.
It is okay for
women to speak in fellowship – it is not okay for women to shout across the
room to get their husband’s attention.
That said, let us commence
to reading today’s Study ;-)
1 CORINTHIANS ~Chapter 14
Make love your
goal, and aspire to all the spiritual gifts, especially that of prophesy. For
when one speaks in a strange tongue, he speaks not so much to men as to Elohim,
because no one understands him. He is really telling mysteries of The Ruach Ha’Kodesh.
He who prophesies, on the other hand, speaks to men for their upbuilding,
encouragement, and consolation.
When one speaks in
an unknown tongue, he may edify himself, but when he prophesies, he edifies the
whole congregation. Surely, I wish that all of you could speak in tongues; but
I would much rather have you prophecy. He who prophecies is more important than
the man who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets what he says so that the
faith of the congregation may be strengthened.
Brethren, suppose I
come to you speaking in tongues, what good could I do if I did not bring you
some revelation, or information, or prophecy, or teaching? Even lifeless
instruments, such as the flute or the harp, might give some distinct sound, foe
how else can anyone know what is played? So also, the bugle – if it does not
give a clear note, who will be ready for battle? Therefore, in speaking, you
too must use a language that men can understand, otherwise how would anyone
know what you say? You would just be talking into the air!
Truly, there are in
the world many different languages, and none without meaning. But if I do not
understand the meaning of a language, I am a foreigner to the man who speaks it,
and he is a foreigner to me. So it is with you. Since you are eager to acquire
spiritual gifts, ask for them in abundant measure, for the upbuilding of the
church. Therefore, the man who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to
interpret his message.
Now, if I pray in a
strange tongue, my spirit does the praying but my understanding is blank. What
must I do? I will pray with my spirit, but also with my understanding. And I
will sing praises with my spirit, but also with my understanding. Otherwise, if
you pronounce a blessing in The Ruach, how can an unlearned man say “Amen” to
your thanksgiving if he does not understand what you are saying? It is well
enough for you to give thanks that way, but it is of no value to the man who
cannot understand you.
I am thankful to
Elohim that I speak in tongues, more than all of you. Still, in public worship
I would rather speak 5 words that are understandable, so as to instruct others,
than 10,000 words in a strange tongue.
Brethren, do not be
children in your thinking. In matters of evil, be as babes: but in
understanding you must be grown up. In the Law it is written. “I will speak to
this people in other languages and by other lips, and yet not even so will they
listen to Me, says the Lord”.
So, this speaking
in tongues is intended for a sign, not for the Believers – but for the
unbelievers; whereas prophesying is a sign for the Believer rather than the unbeliever.
For if the whole congregation is assembled and everyone speaks in tongues, and
some untaught persons or unbelievers happen to come in, would they not say that
you are demented? But if everyone prophesies, and some unbeliever or untaught
person should come in, then he may be convinced of his sin by all, and all will
put questions to him. In short, the secrets of his heart will be revealed and
he will fall upon his face and worship Elohim, declaring, “God is truly among
you!”
What can we learn
from this my Brethren? When you come together, each one may have a part to contribute
– a song, a teaching, a speaking in tongues, a revelation, or an interpretation
… Everything should aim at building up The Faith. If anyone speaks in a tongue,
let it be done by 2, or at most, 3 speakers, one after the other, with an
interpreter. And, if there is no one present to explain what was said, let them
remain silent in the meeting and each speak his message to himself and to
Elohim.
The number of
prophets to speak should be limited to 2 or 3, while the others should consider
carefully what is said. If a revelation comes to someone seated, let the first
speaker stop talking. You can all witness, one by one, and in this way, all may
learn and all may be stimulated. The prophets should exercise control over themselves.
For Elohim is a God of peace, not of disorder, as can be seen in all the assemblies
of saints.
Your women must
keep silent at the church meetings. They must take a subordinate place, as the
Law says. If they have questions to ask, they may ask their husbands at home.
For, it is considered a disgrace for women to speak in the church. Did the Word
of Elohei originate with you, or, are you the ones whom it has reached?
What I am writing
to you is at Adonai Yeshua’s command. If any one of you thinks that he is a
prophet or inspired, let him recognize the fact. If he does not admit it, let
him remain in ignorance. Anyway, brethren, strive to prophesy and, as for
speaking in tongues, do not forbid that. And always see to it that everything
is done properly and in orderly manner.
