Bible Reading Challenge #44

Prophecy and Tongues

1 Corinthians 14:1–5

1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.
2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.
3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.
4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.
5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

Over the last two chapters, Paul has taught on spiritual gifts and then focused on a “better way” — the way of love. Now Paul returns to the topic of gifts to remind us that we must not ignore the gifting God has given the church. We are to use the gifts God gives us for His glory and for the common good!

You may be a bit confused when Paul encourages the church in Corinth to “prophesy.” Our first inclination may be to think of the prophets of old who predicted God’s future actions, but that is not the full meaning here. Following the resurrection of Jesus, the fullness of God’s message has been revealed. There is less need to foretell than to forth-tell — to proclaim. Proclaiming the Word of God, the truth of salvation, and the good news that brings great joy is what Paul has in mind here.

To prophesy, then, is to bring to the people a message of hope, mercy, and love.

You and I are called to live this out. We are called to show and share the love of God in our everyday lives — with those we love and those we have just met.