Lockman - Bible questions and answers

		1 Cor 14:1 Pursue [this] love [with eagerness, make it your goal], yet earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual gifts [to be used by believers for the benefit of the church], but especially that you may prophesy [to foretell the future, to speak a new message from God to the people].
		1 Cor 14:2 For one who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to people but to God; for no one understands him or catches his meaning, but by the Spirit he speaks mysteries [secret truths, hidden things].
		1 Cor 14:3 But [on the other hand] the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification [to promote their spiritual growth] and [speaks words of] encouragement [to uphold and advise them concerning the matters of God] and [speaks words of] consolation [to compassionately comfort them].
		1 Cor 14:4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church [promotes growth in spiritual wisdom, devotion, holiness, and joy].
		1 Cor 14:5 Now I wish that all of you spoke in unknown tongues, but even more [I wish] that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater [and more useful] than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he translates or explains [what he says], so that the church may be edified [instructed, improved, strengthened].
		1 Cor 14:6 ¶ Now, believers, if I come to you speaking in unknown tongues, how will I benefit you unless I also speak to you [clearly] either by revelation [revealing God's mystery], or by knowledge [teaching about God], or by prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people], or by instruction [teaching precepts that develop spiritual maturity]?
		1 Cor 14:7 Yet even lifeless things, whether flute or harp, when producing a sound, if they do not produce distinct [musical] tones, how will anyone [listening] know what is piped or played?
		1 Cor 14:8 And if the [war] bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?
		1 Cor 14:9 So it is with you, if you speak words [in an unknown tongue] that are not intelligible and clear, how will anyone understand what you are saying? You will be talking into the air [wasting your breath]!
		1 Cor 14:10 There are, I suppose, a great many kinds of languages in the world [unknown to us], and none is lacking in meaning.
		1 Cor 14:11 But if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will [appear to] be a foreigner to the one who is speaking [since he knows exactly what he is saying], and the one who is speaking will [appear to] be a foreigner to me.
		1 Cor 14:12 So it is with you, since you are so very eager to have spiritual gifts and manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in ways that will build up the church [spiritually].
		1 Cor 14:13 ¶ Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may [be gifted to] translate or explain [what he says].
		1 Cor 14:14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive [because it does not understand what my spirit is praying].
		1 Cor 14:15 Then what am I to do? I will pray with the spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me] and I will pray with the mind [using words I understand]; I will sing with the spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me] and I will sing with the mind [using words I understand].
		1 Cor 14:16 Otherwise if you bless [and give thanks to God] in the spirit only, how will any outsider or someone who is not gifted [in spiritual matters] say the "Amen" [of agreement] to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? [1 Chr 16:36; Ps 106:48]
		1 Cor 14:17 You are giving thanks well enough [in a way that God is glorified], but the other person [who does not understand you] is not edified [and spiritually strengthened since he cannot join in your thanksgiving].
		1 Cor 14:18 I thank God that I speak in [unknown] tongues more than all of you;
		1 Cor 14:19 nevertheless, in public worship I would rather say five understandable words in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue [which others cannot understand].
		1 Cor 14:20 ¶ Brothers and sisters, do not be children [immature, childlike] in your thinking; be infants in [matters of] evil [completely innocent and inexperienced], but in your minds be mature [adults].
		1 Cor 14:21 It is written in the Law, "BY MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS OF FOREIGNERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND NOT EVEN THEN WILL THEY LISTEN TO ME," says the Lord. [Is 28:11, 12]
		1 Cor 14:22 Therefore, [unknown] tongues are [meant] for a [supernatural] sign, not to believers but to unbelievers [who might be receptive]; while prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people] is not for unbelievers but for believers.
		1 Cor 14:23 So then, if the whole church gathers together and all of you speak in [unknown] tongues, and outsiders or those who are not gifted [in spiritual matters] or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
		1 Cor 14:24 But if all prophesy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people], and an unbeliever or outsider comes in, he is convicted [of his sins] by all, and he is called to account by all [because he can understand what is being said];
		1 Cor 14:25 the secrets of his heart are laid bare. And so, falling on his face, he will worship God, declaring that God is really among you.
		1 Cor 14:26 ¶ What then is the right course, believers? When you meet together, each one has a psalm, a teaching, a revelation (disclosure of special knowledge), a tongue, or an interpretation. Let everything be constructive and edifying and done for the good of all the church.
		1 Cor 14:27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be limited to two or at the most three, and each one speaking in turn, and one must interpret [what is said].
		1 Cor 14:28 But if there is no one to interpret, the one [who wishes to speak in a tongue] must keep silent in church; let him speak to himself and to God.
		1 Cor 14:29 Let two or three prophets speak [as inspired by the Holy Spirit], while the rest pay attention and weigh carefully what is said.
		1 Cor 14:30 But if an inspired revelation is made to another who is seated, then the first one must be silent.
		1 Cor 14:31 For [in this way] you can all prophesy one by one, so that everyone may be instructed and everyone may be encouraged;
		1 Cor 14:32 for the spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets [the prophecy is under the speaker's control, and he can stop speaking];
		1 Cor 14:33 for God [who is the source of their prophesying] is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order. As [is the practice] in all the churches of the saints (God's people),
		1 Cor 14:34 ¶ the women should be silent in the churches, for they are not authorized to speak, but are to take a subordinate place, as the Law says.
		1 Cor 14:35 If there is anything they want to learn [that is, if they have questions about anything being said or taught], they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to talk in church.
		1 Cor 14:36 Did the word of the Lord originate from you [Corinthians], or has it come to you only [so that you know best what God requires]?
		1 Cor 14:37 ¶ If anyone thinks and claims that he is a prophet [a true spokesman for God] or spiritually astute [filled with and energized by the Holy Spirit], let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment.
		1 Cor 14:38 If anyone does not recognize this [that it is a command of the Lord], he is not recognized [by God].
		1 Cor 14:39 ¶ Therefore, believers, desire earnestly to prophesy [to foretell the future, to speak a new message from God to the people], and do not forbid speaking in unknown tongues.
		1 Cor 14:40 But all things must be done appropriately and in an orderly manner.

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