Paul highlights the Importance of Prophesy over
Tongues Part 2
1
Corinthians 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to
edification, and exhortation, and comfort. KJV
Paul now gives tangible evidence to these Corinthian
believers and to us that proves the authenticity of his declaration that
prophesying is the greater gift and the pursuit of it is the greater good for
every one of these believers by three excellent virtues expressed by the
beneficiary of this spiritual gift. First, Paul contrasts the direction of the
speaking gift of prophesies to that of the speaking gift of tongues. The one
who speaks in tongues is speaking a language he or she does not know or even
understand and they only then speak to God the Father, but the one who
prophesies not only does he know what he or she is saying, but he also
understands it and speaks not just to God but also to men. God the Father is
perfect and completely whole and does not need anything from any of us to make
Him better. Paul declares that the person with the gift of prophesy does three
tremendous things for other members of Christ Mystical Body when he or she exercises
their spiritual gift of prophesying. First, they bring edification to other
believers and this English word edification is translated by the Greek word oikodome which means (the act of)
building, or building up; metaphorically it is the act of one who promotes
another’s growth in Christian wisdom, piety, happiness, and holiness. The
person gifted by God the Holy Spirit to prophesy is in a spiritual sense like
an Architect or Civil Engineer is in the physical sense of building beautiful
and strong structures that will be able to withstand the harshest storms and
still remain standing sturdily for many years.
The one who prophecies is a spiritual Architect or
Civil Engineer speaking, teaching, writing, expounding, and explaining God’s
Holy Truth from His Holy Eternal Word with the singular purpose of building
strong and spiritually mature men and women of God able to wax strong in
spiritual warfare with the devil and grow up into spiritual maturity as it is
written by the Apostle John in 1 John
2:12-14. Paul spoke of this truth in another place when he was saying his
goodbyes to the brethren in Ephesus knowing he would never see them again here
on the earth as he sensed his eminent death was near, but before he departed he
said these words to them, “And now I
commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able ‘to build you
up’ (epoikodomeo from the Greek word oikodome) and to give you the
inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). Second, Paul
declares the person gifted by God the Holy Spirit to prophesy speaks to the
exhortation of men and this English word exhortation is translated by the Greek
word paraklesis which means to call
near or to implore or to encourage someone. The prophesier with his expounding
and explaining of the Word of God helps the growth of the hearer and inspires
them to be confident in God and His Word and encourages them with hope in the
eternal purposes, plans, and practices of God as revealed in His Holy Word
which gives them great courage to stand for our Lord Jesus Christ, even in the
toughest of circumstances. When Paul wrote to brother Timothy instructing him, one
of the many things he said to him was this, “Until I come, give attention to the public reading of
Scripture, to exhortation (paraklesis)
and teaching” (1 Timothy 4:13).
Thirdly, the person who prophesies speaks comfort to
other believers and this English word comfort is translated by the Greek word paramuthia which means any address made
for the purpose of calming, consoling, and comforting one in their afflictions
or times of disappointment. The person who prophecies speaks the Word of God
and the Wisdom of God that brings relief to the distressed souls of the members
of Christ Mystical Body and thereby comforts them. Paul wrote of this reality we have in God the
Father to these very same Corinthian believers in his second letter to them in
this manner, “Blessed be the God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all
comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to
comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we
ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Paul here in this
one verse has presented strong irrefutable evidence of why the gift of prophesy
is far greater a gift for these Corinthian believers and us to pursue “in love”
for our own good, but more importantly for the good of every one in Christ
Mystical Body that hears the speaking forth of God’s Holy Word.
“A popular evangelist reaches your emotions. A true prophet reaches your conscience.”
Leonard Ravenhill
“Sound doctrine and holy living are the marks of true
prophets. Let us remember this.
A minister’s mistakes will not excuse our own.” J. C. Ryle
“We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum.”
A. W. Tozer
“Let a thing here be noted, that the prophet of God sometimes may teach
treason against kings, and yet neither he nor such as obey the word, spoken in
the Lord’s name by him, offend God.” John Knox
“The gift of prophesy does nothing to bring edifying
or building up to God (He needs none) but what makes it so much more necessary
than speaking in tongues is that it does so much to make babes in Christ into
full grown fathers in Christ (1 John
2:13-14) mature and able to take in the meat of the Word of God and able to
discern good from evil (Hebrews 5:14).”
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
If you do not
know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your
heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus,
I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You
shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead
proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my
sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my
life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
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