This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Study Group meeting October 16 to study 1 Corinthians 14; or at least as far as we can get in this chapter. This chapter has more problems than any other single chapter in this letter. This caps off the discussion of the use of spiritual gifts in the church, and especially the placement of tongues among those gifts. In some places Paul is just flat out difficult to understand. In others, it seems completely contradictory to what he has said previously in the letter.
Read through the chapter
slowly because there are some places it's easy for your mind to simply skip over rather than try and make the difficult connections. Jot down questions, insights, and so on as you pass through the chapter. Pay special attention to problems in wording. Use different translations to help get through some of those, but also note how almost all translations say the same thing at some problem spots.
After you have read through the chapter a few times, read back through using the questions below:
- Paul starts by telling the people to 'earnestly desire' spiritual things. What do you think that means as far as who might get what gift? Does this sound to you like we get to 'pick' or something?
- Again Paul sets tongues over against prophesy. In his description in verse 2, what sort of 'speaking' does it seem to be to you? Does other foreign human languages seem to be in view here?
- In verses 1 through 19 Paul goes to great lengths to demonstrate that intelligible language is preferred over unintelligible language. What do you see as Paul's point throughout this discussion, beyond tongues versus prophesy?
- In each occurrence of some form of the verb, 'edify' (only in verse 12 does the NIV switch to 'build up'), the word truly does refer to a construction term in Greek, as in constructing a building or house. How does that help you understand Paul's intent in all of this? Or how does it help you understand Paul's underlying concept of worship in general?
- In verse 5, Paul says that he wishes they all spoke in tongues. In the context of the rest of the verse, and even the rest of the chapter, do you think he 'wishes' with expectation that they all will? Or is this simply a general wish without expectation? Consider chapter 12:15-20 in your answer as well.
- In verse 6, what sorts of 'alternatives' does Paul list besides tongues? What do you think of these alternatives? Have you ever experienced them in worship?
- In verses 7 and 8, Paul points out some rather important considerations in the practice of tongues. This along with verses 9 through 17, would seem to apply even to public prayer in tongues. So, what 'exception' does Paul leave to having an interpreter when tongues are used in church?
- Verses 20-25 is probably the most difficult part of Paul's argument to figure out. To help, read Isaiah 28, not just verses 11-12, but from the beginning through 13 (farther if you have time). The element in Isaiah 28:9 may be to what Paul refers in verse 20, and serves to introduce 11 and only part of 12. Why do you think Paul only used part of verse 12 in Isaiah?
- In verse 22, Paul introduces his statement with 'so then' or 'then' meaning that he is inferring this statement from his quote. How do you think Isaiah 28:11-12 connects to tongues being a sign to unbelievers? Even Isaiah 28 aside, how do you see tongues as a sign to unbelievers? A sign from who? How do you see Isaiah 28:11-12 connecting to prophesy being a sign for believers?
- The answers to these might more easily be found in verses 23 through 25. So, the correspondence now relies on verse 23 somehow describing how tongues are a sign to unbelievers. So, from verse 23 perhaps combined or explained by Isaiah, how do you think tongues are a sign to unbelievers?
- From verses 24 and 25, perhaps combined with the Isaiah quote, how do you think prophesy is a sign to believers?
- In verses 26 through 33 Paul describes a way to all gifts to be utilized in church in an orderly manner. What do you think such a church service would look like? How would you feel in such a service? Could you see such a practice in our church? What would that look like, and how would you feel about that?
- In verse 29, what do you think it means that 'the others pass judgement' on the prophesy? What do you think that would look like in a 'worship' setting?
- You've probably heard verse 33 quoted a lot, but considering the context, does it really mean that "God always follows logical rules" or something to that effect?
- In verses 34 and 35, what is the setting? What elements in common with the rest of the chapter do you see?
- Read back through 1 Corinthians 11:1-16; how does that make sense if this is the rule?
- How do you make sense of the tone of verses 34 and 35, with the tone of chapter 7, and 11:1-16?
- Read verses 33 through 40 but skip 34 and 35. Does it read consistent to you? Now read it again with 34 and 35 back in there, does it make more or less sense?
- Trying reading the same passage (33-40) only put verse 34 and 35 after verse 40. Does that make more or less sense to you?
- So, what makes more sense in this reading, leaving 34 and 35 where there are, putting them after 40, or leaving them out? Verses 34 and 35 occur in every manuscript and ancient reference we have to this passage, sometimes at the end (after 40) and sometimes where we find them here. What do you think about these verses within this argument about gifts and practice in worship?
- Paul calls on the church in Corinth to essentially 'fall in line' with the other churches. How does that affect your consideration of such varied practice in churches today?
This may be too much to cover in one evening, so we may break it up into segments, like maybe 3. But there are only 2 more chapters after this, so maybe we can finish up this month...maybe not.
