Subject: Tongues?Ecstatic Utterances or Languages |
Bible Note: Transliterated word EAN "if, in case" The fact that Paul is speaking in a hypothetical regarding 'speaking' does not mean that tongues of men and angels is hupothetical. In the context the statment is clearly communicating that these in their greatest extent..ie understand ALL mysteries, and ALL knowledge, and tough he had faith to remove mountains....(Matthew 17:20 confirms that this is possible, "And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." To have faith to remove mountains is real. The gift of prophesy is real. 1 Corinthians 14:1 "Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy." We can understand mysteries: Mark 4:11 "And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:" 1 Cor. 2:7 1 Cor. 15:51 Ephesians 1:9 Ephesians 3:4 " 6:19 Colossians 1:26-27, 4:3 1 Timothy 3:19 Several times in Revelation a 'mystery' was shown to John. Though I give...my goods Though I give...my body to be burned Although I do not have 'proof' that tongues of angels do exist and are available to us, every other example Paul gives here IS provable. In context the emphasis is on the extremist of each ot these 'possible' and 'real' options..it is more reasonable to believe tongues of angels is as real and available as the rest. without love these are unprofitable to me. Why would Paul use an example of a mystical or impossible example to preempt this statement? Even WITH love angelic tongues would be unprofitable to me because they are not an option for me. By implication with love...these would be profitable to me. But if one does not believe in the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in the operation of the charismata (gifts) today..One cannot be convinced of 'angelic tongues' if one cannot be convinced of 'prophesy' even tough Paul said to desire spiritual gifts..ie the gifts listed and taught of in chapter 12. Gd bless |