1 Corinthians 14 (1)

Pray Psalm 125.1, 2.
Those who trust in the LORD
Are like Mount Zion,
Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the LORD surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.

Sing Psalm 125.1, 2.
(St. Gertrude: Onward, Christian Soldiers)
All who trust in Jesus, strong as Zion stand!
Naught shall ever move them from their promised land!
Like the hills surrounding safe Jerusalem,
Christ surrounds His Church and holds her in His mighty Hand!
Refrain, v. 1
All who trust in Jesus, strong as Zion stand!
Naught shall ever move them from their promised land!

Read and meditate on 1 Corinthians 14.1-5.

Preparation
1. How should we use the gift of prophesy?

2.What was Paul’s desire concerning this gift?

Meditation
Paul says that of all the spiritual gifts, we should seek to prophesy (v. 1). This word is addressed to all the believers in Corinth, and not just to the shepherds of the church. All believers should seek to prophesy. Indeed, prophecy is the true native tongue of the faithful.

In verse 3, Paul tells us why. They prophesy who speak edification, exhortation, and comfort to others by giving praise and thanks to God (1 Chron. 25.3). We are called to build up our brethren and bring encouragement and comfort to them with our words. This is the true spirit of prophecy, and it's not difficult to see why every believer must seek this gift.

If all our conversations and all uses of our tongues were robed in the garments of prophecy, how different would be our lives together in the church and in the world. We would always strive to build others up, encourage them in the Lord and His work, remind them of God's salvation, enlarge on that salvation, and urge them on to know more of it; and we would affirm, strengthen, and embolden others with our words, opening through praise and thanksgiving new insights to God and His Word.

Prophesy is a spiritual gift, a work of God's Spirit in those who possess it; nevertheless, we must all work to develop and use this gift appropriately, making sure that our own spirits—mind, heart, and conscience—are bent to the service of edification, and not merely of boasting. The focus of all such speech will be Jesus Christ and His many excellencies, for “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Rev. 19.10; cf. also Acts 13.15ff).

Let all our words be of this nature as we grow in love for one another and the Lord.

Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162.
Often, we feel shy about asking for a gift. We think if we have dropped perhaps a thousand hints, that our desires would be made known. But not everyone picks up what we are putting down, and our desires are often overlooked, because interestingly, not everyone is a mind reader.

However, Paul tells us to “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that we may prophesy” (1 Cor. 14.1). God is inviting us to be bold about our desires and proactive about receiving the gifts that we would prefer. Of course, we must always be content with what we receive and very thankful for it. “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Heb. 13.5). And certainly, that is always enough to know and have.

But just like a wedding registry, that some sign up for, we can “by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let [our] requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4.6). We have been invited to pursue gifts, so let’s feel free to do it.

Prophecy seems to be, along with love, a summum bonum gift. So why not pursue it? Those in the Old Testament who pursued it, did it to “give thanks and to praise the LORD” more efficiently (1 Chron. 25.3).

Solomon spoke about the good and bad side of prophecy: “There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health” (Prov. 12.18). Just like Paul explained, prophecy is to be used for one-on-one edification, exhortation, comfort, and corporate edification (1 Cor. 14.3, 4). And the gift is never used to cause damage.

And the epitome of correct usage: “Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy” (Prov. 31.8, 9). “She [but surely it is he, too] opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness” (Prov. 31.26).

James warns, as we seek this gift of prophecy, to be mindful of the onus that accompanies it: “let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment” (Jms. 3.1). It is a disclaimer from our heavenly Father: “Be mindful of the gifts you request. Some come with harsher side effects.”

But as we grow in the LORD, maturing in Him (1 Cor. 13.11, 12), our gift list changes. Those gifts that we desired early on in our walk of faith, may have increased to other or additional requests. We have the confidence and encouragement from Paul, that to eagerly seek, pursue, and desire new gifts is OK with God; but always being faithful in the use of each gift that has been given, for the good of the body of Christ. It is never polite to cast a gift aside. Ever. Each must be utilized and cherished with respect to the Giver. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights…” (Jms. 1.17).

No matter what other gifts we may pursue, we must always remember love (1 Cor. 13.13). Because without love, everything else is pointless. But with it, we can ask for all the gifts, and may even receive them, if God finds us faithfully using each one to His glory. “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things” (Matt. 25.21).

Every gift points to Jesus—praise, adoration, honor, and glory—for His sacrificial love that He desires we share with the world He came to die for. Otherwise, those gifts were given in vain.

For reflection
1. What does it mean for you to seek the gift of being able to prophesy?

2. Prophecy is not about telling the future. It’s telling about Jesus, to encourage, edify, and bring to saving grace. How will you speak this native language of the faithful today?

3. How can your use of the gift of prophesying help your church to mature in the Lord?

Paul reckons this gift as a higher one because it is used for the common good. He always gives the greater honor to those gifts that will be used for the benefit of everyone. John Chrysostom (344-407), Homilies on the Epistles of Paul to the Corinthians 35.1

Pray Psalm 125.1, 4, 5.
Pray that God will envelop your church in peace, that all may speak His Word to one another in love and service for the building-up of the Body of Christ.

Sing Psalm 125.1, 4, 5.
(St. Gertrude: Onward, Christian Soldiers)
LORD, do good and care for those upright in heart.
Those who turn to evil shall from You depart.
Sinful men may increase on their way to hell!
Save Your people, let your peace abound in Israel!
Refrain, v. 1
All who trust in Jesus, strong as Zion stand!
Naught shall ever move them from their promised land!

T. M. and Susie Moore

The Church in Corinth was in need of revival. But there was much to be done before that would happen. The Church today is in need of revival, and the same is true for us. Our book, Revived!, can help us to discern our need for revival and lead us in getting there. Order your copy by clicking here.

Support for Scriptorium comes from our faithful and generous God, who moves our readers to share financially in our work. If this article was helpful, please give Him thanks and praise.

And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 103 Reynolds Lane, West Grove, PA 19390.

Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter, available by clicking here.