1 Corinthians 14-16
What I Noticed Today (1 Corinthians 14-16)
1 Corinthians 14
In verses 1-25, Paul discussed prophecy as a superior gift to tongues.
Note: There are numerous interpretations of the word “glossa,” which is commonly translated as either “tongue” or “language.” In the New Testament, whether it is used literally or figuratively, it is used in reference to a physical tongue or human language, not excited utterances.
In verses 1-12, Paul says they should pursue spiritual gifts, prophecy in particular. The person who speaks in another language speaks to God but not to men. In contrast, the person who speaks prophecy speaks for the edification, encouragement, and consolation of the people in a way that builds them up. The person who speaks in another language only builds himself up.
The person who prophesies is greater than the person who speaks in languages unless someone interprets for them, so the church will be built up.
Note: People speaking foreign languages in the Corinthian assembly likely spoke with no one there to translate for them. Thus, to those who did not understand, it was meaningless.
Paul continues by saying if I do not know the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.
So, since you are anxious to exercise spiritual gifts, seek those which build up the church.
In verses 13-19, Paul continues saying if you pray in another language, have someone interpret, otherwise it is not fruitful. How will anyone understand and say “Amen” if they do not understand the language? You may be praising and thanking God, but no one will know, and no one will be built up. Therefore, Paul says, I would rather speak five words to teach others than 10,000 words in another language.
In verses 20-25, Paul admonished the Corinthians not to be childish in their thinking (quoting Isaiah 28:11-12); even though they speak in foreign languages, some people will not listen to the Lord.
Paul’s conclusion is speaking in other languages is a sign for non-believers, not for believers. Therefore, if people speak in foreign languages and non-believers enter the assembly, they will not understand. However, if an unbeliever enters and someone is speaking prophecy, he will understand and may be convicted in his heart and worship God.
In verses 26-40, Paul explains the importance of order in their church meetings.
Paul explains whenever they come together, each person with a psalm, a teaching, a revelation, another language, or an interpretation must be done in a way that edifies the body.
Specifically, regarding foreign languages, there should be two or three at most with an interpretation. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should remain silent.
Regarding prophets, two or three should speak, and the others should evaluate the prophecy. There should be order in the worship because God is a God of order, not of disorder.
In all the Christian churches, Paul said, women should be silent, submit, and ask questions of their husbands at home.
Note: There is some debate as to whether the reference was to all women or married women. The word “submission” and the phrase “ask their husbands” suggest the admonition is aimed at married women.
Note: It is inappropriate to take this instruction as Paul says women should not speak in church because that contradicts Paul’s instruction elsewhere (1 Corinthians 11:5). Taken in context, Paul is saying during the interpretation of prophecy for the sake of order; questions should be asked at home.
In verses 37-40, Paul concludes these instructions saying if anyone considers themselves a prophet or spiritual, he should realize what Paul writes was the Lord’s command. Anyone who ignores the Lord’s commands would themselves be ignored. Most important in the exercise of spiritual gifts is that they are used to edify (build up) the body and that the worship is orderly.
1 Corinthians 15
Note: 1 Corinthians 15 contains the most complete discussion of the resurrection in the entire Bible.
In verses 1-8, Paul wishes to clarify (reinforce) the Gospel that he preached previously to the Corinthians. He is passing along the teaching that he himself received:
- Christ died for our sins according to the Scripture.
- He was buried and raised on the third day.
- He appeared to Cephas (Peter) and then to the twelve.
- Then he appeared to a group of 500 at one time, many of whom are still alive (at the time of the writing).
- Then He appeared to James and all the apostles.
- Last of all, he appeared to me (Paul).
Note: Paul’s reference to being “abnormally born” refers to how Jesus appeared to him on the Damascus Road and his conversion after the death and resurrection of Christ.
In verses 9-11, Paul declares he is unworthy to be called an apostle because of his history of persecuting the church. Yet, through God’s grace, he was called to proclaim the Gospel, and as a result, the Corinthians believed.
In verses 12-19, Paul presents a logical argument defending the resurrection of Christ:
- To deny the resurrection of the dead is to deny the resurrection of Jesus.
- If Christ was not raised, then their proclamation of the Gospel is without merit, and so is their faith.
- Additionally, they would be false witnesses against God because they had testified that God had raised up Christ.
- If Christ has not been raised, then your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.
- Therefore, the dead in Christ have also perished.
- Finally, if Christ was not resurrected, then the pagans were right, and believers should be pitied all the more because they had placed their hope in a false belief.
In verses 20-28, Paul presents the theological argument defending the resurrection of Christ:
- Christ’s resurrection was the first of those who had fallen asleep (believers).
- Death came to man through the disobedience of one man, Adam.
- In Adam, all die. In Christ, all will be made alive. First will be Christ. Then those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end when Christ will turn the kingdom over to God the Father.
- Death, the last enemy, will be abolished.
- God will put everything under the feet of Christ. Therefore, everything is subject to Christ as the Son is subject to the Father.
Note: The phrase “those who had fallen asleep” refers to believers who had died. The phrase “fallen asleep” is the more general term for those who had died.
In verses 29-34, Paul presents his fourth argument for the resurrection based on Christian experience:
Note: There are literally hundreds of interpretations of verse 29, most of which attempt to force-fit the verse to support a specific church practice. However, from the context of the discussion, it appears that Corinthians had practiced baptism of the dead for those who had died prior to being baptized in life. Paul is not condoning this practice, nor is it supported elsewhere in Scripture. His point is if someone does not believe in the resurrection, what is the point of baptism after they died?
Paul provides examples from his personal experience saying his life was in peril (we are in danger every hour…I die every day…I fought wild animals). But, Paul asks, what good is that if the dead are not raised. If the dead are not raised, you might also eat and drink for tomorrow you die.
Note: The “eat and drink for tomorrow you die” reference would have been an appeal to the Epicureans who pursued pleasure and avoided pain.
Concluding, Paul warned them not to be deceived; bad company corrupts good morals. So come to your senses and stop sinning.
Note: Paul’s warning about bad company is a warning to avoid false teachers who claim great knowledge but don’t know God.
In verses 35-49, Paul answers questions about the resurrection of the dead:
- Verses 35-41. How are the dead raised? What kind of body will they have? Paul considered these foolish questions. He compared resurrection to the sprouting of a seed that grows into a plant. A plant was related to the seed, so too the resurrected body is related to the natural one.
- Verses 42-44. Paul describes the earthly body as corrupt, raised as incorrupt; sown in dishonor, raised in glory; sown in weakness, raised in power; and sown in the natural body, raised in a spiritual body.
- Verses 45-49. The first man, Adam, had a natural body first, then a spiritual one; the natural body made of dust, the spiritual one from heaven; man has the image of the first man (Adam), just as we will also bear the image of the heavenly man.
In verses 50-58, Paul answers questions about the rapture of the living. What about those who are alive when Christ returns?
Note: Based on the prior discussion, a person would understand that the natural man must die in order to be resurrected. This begs the question, what about those who are alive when Christ returns? What will happen to them?
Paul says flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God because corruption cannot inherit incorruption.
- We will not all be asleep (dead), but we will all be changed in the blink of an eye at the last trumpet (the appearance of God).
- The trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible.
- The corruptible (alive) must be clothed with incorruptible, and the mortal must be clothed with immortality (the living will exchange the temporal and imperfect for the eternal and perfect).
- When this happens, death will be defeated.
Paul exhorts the believers to be steadfast, excelling in their work for the Lord, knowing their labor is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 16
1 Corinthians 16 marks a shift away from the doctrinal discussion of 1 Corinthians 15 to a more practical discussion of the importance of caring for the needs of others.
In verses 1-4, Paul addresses the question from the Corinthians about a collection for God’s people in Jerusalem. First, he instructs them to do the same things as he suggested to the churches in Galatia. That is, to set aside on the first day of the week a portion of their income so that no collection will be needed when he arrives. Then, when Paul does arrive in Corinth, he will send letters and the gifts to the people in Jerusalem carried by members of the Corinthian church.
In verses 5-12, Paul speaks of his future travel plans. He plans to leave Ephesus (where he wrote the letter to the Corinthians) and travel to Macedonia (north of Corinth where the churches of Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea existed).
On that journey, Paul hoped to be able to spend some time with the Corinthians, perhaps a whole winter. However, he planned to stay in Ephesus until after Pentecost because of the opportunity for ministry there.
Paul also told the Corinthians that if Timothy comes to them, they should welcome him and send him on his way to join Paul.
Note: The reference “to send him on his way” meant they were to supply his needs.
Paul says he had strongly urged Apollos to go to Corinth, but he remained in Ephesus with Paul and would come to Corinth when he had an opportunity.
In verses 13-24, Paul concludes the letter to the Corinthians. First, he exhorts them to stand firm and then extends greetings and a final benediction.
In verses 13-18, Paul exhorts the believers in Corinth to remain strong in the faith and do everything in love. He also exhorts them to submit to Stephanas, who was among the first believers in Corinth (first fruits).
Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus had come from Corinth and been a blessing to Paul, refreshing his spirit.
Note: Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus had probably brought Paul the letter (1 Corinthians 7:1) to which Paul responded.
In verses 19-24, Paul extends greetings from the churches of Asia, Aquila and Priscilla, and all the brothers.
Note: “All the brothers” may refer to others in the home of Aquila and Priscilla, Corinthian brothers who were with Paul in Ephesus, or the larger community of believers in Asia.
Note: In verses 21-24, Paul stopped dictating the letter and wrote the last portion himself.
He offered a final benediction asking the grace of the Lord to be upon them, and his love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.
Some thoughts for further consideration:
- The end result of worshipping God should be bringing glory to God, convicting sinners of their need to repent, and be a blessing to believers. But, most important is whatever is done, be it prayer, prophecy, singing, teaching, or preaching, it is done in an orderly manner in a way that edifies the body of Christ.
- The offering that Paul referred to for the saints in Jerusalem was voluntary, reflecting how God has blessed them, with amounts set aside the first day of the week. These principles to provide for the care and support of believers still apply today!
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.