The Gift of Prophecy
A. The admonition to seek this gift, v. 1: Love should be the highest goal, but prophecy should be sought after as well.
B. The advantages of prophecy, vv. 3-6, 18-19
1. Prophecy strengthens, encourages, and comforts believers, v. 3.
2. Prophecy edifies the entire church, v. 4.
3. Prophecy is Paul’s choice gift for the Corinthian church, v. 5.
4. Prophecy is Paul’s most effective way to help all the churches, v. 6.
5. Prophecy is more effective than the gift of tongues, vv. 18-19.
C. The analogies concerning prophecy, vv. 7-12.
1. From the music world, v. 7: No one recognizes the melody unless each note is sounded clearly.
2. From the military world, v. 8: An unclear call to battle is useless.
3. From the daily world, vv. 8-12: Unclear language is useless language.
D. The admonitions concerning prophecy, vv. 29-33
1. Only two or three people should prophesy in a service, and the others should evaluate what is said, v. 29.
2. If one person is prophesying and another receives a divine revelation, the first person should allow the second to speak, vv. 30-31.
3. Those who prophesy must remain in control of their spirit so that they can wait their turn to speak, vv. 32-33.
The Gift of Tongues
A. The reasons for the gift of tongues
1. In regard to believers, vv. 2, 4.
a. The speaker utters mysteries to God that are unknown to man, v. 2.
b. The speaker edifies himself, v. 4.
2. In regard to unbelievers, vv. 21-25
a. The Prediction, v. 21: Isaiah warned that God would allow foreign-speaking nations to punish his sinful people, Isaiah 28:11-12.
b. The Purpose, v. 22: The gift of tongues is a sign of judgment for unbelieving Israel.
c. The Problem, v. 23: Paul warns against the entire church’s exercising the gift of tongues, lest an unsaved person come in and conclude that all are out of their minds.
d. The Persuasion, vv. 24-25: However, if the gift of prophecy is in effect, that unsaved person might be convinced to accept Christ.
B. The rules governing the gift of tongues
1. Those speaking in tongues should pray that what is said might be correctly interpreted, vv. 13-14.
2. The one praying and singing with his spirit is also to do both with his mind, vv. 15-17.
3. No more than two or three should speak in tongues at any service, v. 27.
4. They should speak one at a time, v. 27.
5. Someone must be present to interpret, or they should keep quiet, vv. 27-28.
6. Women are not to speak in tongues or prophesy in the church meetings, vv. 34-35.
The Guidelines for Both Gifts
A. Be as innocent as infants and as intelligent as adults in exercising these gifts, v. 20.
B. These gifts and all others should be used solely for the edification of others, v. 26.
C. Be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid tongues, v. 39.
D. Do everything in a fitting and orderly way, vv. 33, 40.
E. Obey what Paul has written, for these are God’s commands, vv. 36-38.