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Scriptural Text [& Editorial]
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Commentary & Explanation
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Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
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CHAPTER 14
Desire spiritual gifts—Tongues and prophecy compared—Prophecy
is the greater gift—'Ye may all prophesy'—'Covet to prophesy.'
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Desire spiritual gifts while pursuing the course of Chrity—To Prophesy
is the greater gift than tongues—'All should covet and seek to
prophesy by the Spirit even as Eldad and Medad in the camp of Israel.
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The Relationship Between the More Excellent Way of Charity and
the Obtainment of the Spiritual 'Gifts' Explained.
Paul, after exhorting to the pursuit of Spiritual Gifts but
having revealed a 'More Excellent Way', the way and path of Charity, now
sets them out in relation to each other. The way of Charity does not preclude
the Gifts of the Spirit, but rather 'While following the way of Charity',
men are to continue to seek the Gifts of the Spirit even unto prophesying
according to the very Spirit of Revelation which is in them.
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1 aFOLLOW
after charity, and desire spiritual bgifts, but
rather that ye may prophesya.
2 For he that speaketh in aan
unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man
understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
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1a that ye may prophesy To
preach and prophesy by the Spirit of the Holy Ghost, by that Spirit of
Revelation is even as did Eldad and Medad in the camp of Israel (See Numbers
11:24-30). When one bears their testimony that Jesus is the Christ and the
Lord, our Redeemer and Savior, they do so by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Thus a testimony is that of the Spirit of Revelation, which is the same as
the Spirit of Prophecy. And when one speaks by the power of the Holy Ghost,
they speak as with the mouth of angels. And what they speak by the voice of
angels is of God. And thus what is spoken by those who bear such testimony of
the spirit, it is scripture and prophecy unto those who receive it by the
spirit unto their understanding and enlightenment in the Lord.
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1a
TG
Missionary Work
b
TG
Gospel
2a
Romans 1:16
b
GR hold fast to, retain
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3 But he that aprophesieth speaketh
unto men to bedification, and exhortation, and
comfort.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
5 I awould that ye all spake with
tongues, but rather that ye bprophesied: for greater
is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he
interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
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1a
TG
Missionary Work
b
TG
Gospel
2a
Romans 1:16
b
GR hold fast to, retain
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6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with
tongues, what shall I profit you, aexcept I shall speak to
you either by brevelation, or by knowledge, or by
prophesying, or by doctrine?
7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
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1a
TG
Missionary Work
b
TG
Gospel
2a
Romans 1:16
b
GR hold fast to, retain
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8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
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10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of
avoices in the world, and none of them is without
signification.
11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
12 Even so ye, aforasmuch as ye are
zealous of spiritual bgifts, seek that ye may excel
to the cedifying of the church.
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Pauls Speaks Against Praying in Unknown Tongues in Public
Prayer
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13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my
spirit prayeth, but my aunderstanding is unfruitful.
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15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
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18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
19 Yet in the church I had rather
aspeak five words with my understanding, that by my
voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an
unknown tongue.
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20 Brethren, be not achildren in
bunderstanding: howbeit in cmalice be ye
children, but in dunderstanding be men.
21 In the law it is written, With men of other
tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that
will they not ahear me, saith the Lord.
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22 Wherefore atongues are for a
asign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe
not: but cprophesying serveth not for them that
believe not, but for them which believe.
23 If therefore the whole church be come together
into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that
are unlearned, or aunbelievers, will they not say that
ye are mad?
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24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
25 And thus are the asecrets of his
heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship
God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
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26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together,
every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a
revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto
aedifying.
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep
asilence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and
to God.
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29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
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32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33 For God is not the
aauthor of bconfusion, but of
cpeace, as in all dchurches of the
esaints.
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34 Let your awomen keep silence in
the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to bspeak;
but cthey are commanded to be under
dobedience, as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask
their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to
aspeak in the church.
36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
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37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
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39 Wherefore, brethren, acovet to
prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
40 Let all things be done decently and in
aorder.
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