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CESSATION OF TONGUES -
PART 2
by Rev Dr Quek Suan Yew
Tongues as used in 1 Corinthians
Other than the Book of Acts, the gift
of tongues is also mentioned in 1 Corinthians.
Before we look into 1 Corinthians 14 on
tongues-speaking, we need to understand the purpose and motive behind the
speaking in tongues.
News had come to the Apostle Paul that
there was abuse in the use of gifts in the church in Corinth. His common
approach in dealing with all church problems was to teach the right
doctrine.
1 Corinthians 12 teaches the USE AND PURPOSE OF GIFTS. 1 Corinthians 13 teaches
the MOTIVE BEHIND THE USE OF GIFTS. 1 Corinthians 14 deals with the
PROBLEM ON THE ABUSE OF GIFTS.
1 Corinthians 12: The Purposes of
God Giving Gifts to Men
From 1 Corinthians 12, we observe the
following points concerning spiritual gifts:
(1) Different gifts but the
same Holy Spirit (v. 4).
a.
God the Father, God the
Son and God the Holy Spirit participate in the giving of gifts. The
Christian cannot pit one against another. There is blessed and perfect
unity in the Godhead in all things including the impartation of gift or
gifts to the believer. Verses 4 to 6 reveal to the believer that all three
persons of the Godhead are involved in the giving of gifts.
b.
The unity within the
Godhead is the obvious emphasis. The contrast as expressed in the use of
the “diversities of gifts” (v. 4, “differences of administrations” (v. 5),
and “diversities of operations” (v. 6) with the use of “same Spirit,”
“same Lord,” and “same God.”
c.
The varieties of gifts
that God has given to his church must not be construed as disharmony
within the Godhead. There is no greater comparison that the unity within
the Godhead. They are one in all things. There is no disharmony. There is
always perfect unity in operation, motivation and action.
(2) All gifts of
the Holy Spirit are for the blessing of others (v. 7).
a. The exercise of
every gift means “the manifestation of the Holy Spirit.” When a Christian
uses his gift, he is manifesting the work of the Holy Spirit in his life.
That is why the gifts of the Holy Spirit must not be seen as a
“Christianizing” of a secular talent which is given to all by way of the
general grace of God.
b. The gift
or gifts of God is given to all believers. This means that every Christian
is given at least one gift. There is no Christian who does not possess a
spiritual gift from God. The significance is that every Christian must
serve and he has no excuse not to serve. His duty is to find out form God
what his gift is and use it for the glory of God.
c. The
purpose of the gift is NOT FOR PERSONAL BENEFIT. The purpose of gifts is
for the “profit withal.” Literally it means “to carry with” or “bear up
with”. Barnes explained it well when he said, “they are bestowed
not on all equally, but in such a manner as shall best subserve the
interests of piety and the church, and as shall tend harmoniously to carry
on the great interests of religion, and further the welfare of the whole
Christian body.” For example if you
are gifted in teaching, you must use your gift to teach and bless others.
(3) The Holy Spirit is
sovereign over who gets which gift or gifts (v. 11).
a. The list of gifts here is
not meant to be exhaustive. The focus is not on the many different types
of gifts but on the word “same”. The Holy Spirit is the One who give gifts
to every Christian. The gifts are very different but they all came from
the SAME Holy Spirit. In other words do not use your gifts to war or
compete with one another.
b.
The Christian may ask and
pray for a particular gift. But he must understand that it is God who
gives gifts to whomever He sovereignly determines and dictates. This truth
will eradicate all jealousy from the hearts of those who are envious of
others who might have a gift that he does not have but wants very badly.
For example a person who likes to preach and thinks that he can preach
because he likes to be in the limelight, may be envious of another person
who has this gift. If he realizes that it is God who gives and determines
who get what gift then as a child of God he will submit to God’s sovereign
will.
c. On the other hand the
person who has a gift must realize the need for humility as he has been
given the gift due to God’s sovereign will. He must not boast and strut
like a peacock thinking that he deserve his gift and the gift was his to
own because of who he is as if he is someone more blessed than others.
There is no favoritism in God’s eyes and practice. A gift simply means
something given to you which you do not deserve. Do not boast. Be humble.
(4) All
gifts are of equal importance and necessity (vv. 12-26).
a. Every Christian needs
one another in the body of
Christ so that there must be no jealousy which will cause schism. The
oneness of the Body of Christ is signified here in very clear terms. This
oneness is crucial in the exercise of every gift. The example par
excellence of this oneness is the LORD Jesus Christ Himself. Christ
baptized us into His Body with One Spirit not many. Jews or Gentiles, bond
or free, without exception all of us were made to drink into One Spirit
i.e. to be baptized with the same Spirit of God who indwells all
believers. [vv. 12-13]
b.
It is a oneness in
diversity. The physical body
with its multifaceted function is a very apt illustration to explain and
depict the invisible Body of Jesus Christ. No part of the body will ever
say I do not need you or since you are not me then you are dispensable.
The foot, hand, ear, and eye are used to drive home this important point
[vv. 14-16]. Each of them has a different function to perform within the
body. The foot is used for walking cannot say to the hand I do not need
you, for the hand is used for eating and other functions. The ear is used
for listening cannot say to the hand that you are useless because you are
not like me for the eye has the function of sight.
Imagine a body with only the eye or the
ear or just the nose, what would happen to the rest of the bodily
functions? What you have would be a grotesque creature that comes out of
the cartoon world.
c. Every part of the body
has a purpose according as
it pleases God. There is no part that has not been placed there which is
not according to God’s sovereign will. Every part depends on the other
parts to function in unison. There is unity rather than conflict. There is
diversity of function but unity of purpose. The purpose is to edify and
help the body as one. [vv. 17-21]
d. The bodily parts which
appear to be more sickly (i.e. feeble) are most necessary.
This probably refers to our heart and lungs and other internal organs of
the body. They are weak compared to the other parts but they are
indispensable to the body for it to be kept alive. [v. 22] On the other
hand there are other parts of the body which may appear less honourable
are given greater honour. This might refer to parts of our body which
require clothing to cover them for the sake of decency. There are other
parts like our feet which require shoes due to their “uncomeliness.” The
comely parts which require no covering would be our hands and face. There
have their distinctive functions and purpose which require exposure. God
has tempered (i.e. harmoniously blended) the body together giving
different parts of the body different functions and comeliness as He
wills. [vv. 23-24]
e.
Every part of the body
needs one another and must care and look after one another.
The wound in one part of the body is felt by the whole body. The rest of
the parts will come to the aid of the part that is wounded. This must be
the case in the body of Christ. [vv. 25-26]
f. The believer should
have a strong desire for the best gift.
There is no contradiction here. It is true that the Bible teaches us that
it is God’s sovereign will that determines who gets what gift. No one is
to be jealous of one another. God knows best who should get which gift.
Having said tat God here tells the believer to desire the best gift. To
desire the best gift means to desire the gift that will benefit the
congregation best. Remember the purpose of gifts is for the benefit of
other and not yourself. Just because a believer desire a particular does
not mean that God will give it to him. He must pray and seek and submit to
God’s will for his life even as he cries out to God in prayer for a
particular gift. Having said this, the apostle reveals to them that there
is a more excellent way than to just desire the best gift for the benefit
of other believers. It is the motive behind the exercise of all gifts, the
motive of love. With this the apostle Paul begins the next chapter. [vv.
27-31]
1 Corinthians 13: The Motive Behind
the Use of the Spiritual Gifts
From 1 Corinthians 13, we note the
following points:
(1) The love of Christ, which
is an unconditional love, must be the motive behind the exercise of
our gifts (vv.1‑3). Three hyperboles are used to drive home this point.
a. The first hyperbole
is that even if the apostle Paul speaks the tongues of men i.e. all the
languages of the world and including that of angels but does not have love
he is like a sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. [v. 1] Tinkling cymbal
and sounding brass make empty noises that are piercing and loud and
jarring to the ears. One may assume that if a person can speak all
languages he would highly revered as a great genius. But Paul says that
all the languages spoken by such a person whose motive is not love would
be like the empty piercing noise of a cymbal or a sounding brass.
The word “tongue” used here is
“languages.” Paul is not saying that he speaks the language of angel for
this is a hyperbole. Thus far in all the appearances of angelic beings who
spoke to the servants of God or praising God in Heaven itself spoke either
Hebrew or Greek or Aramaic, the languages of the Bible. There is no
justification here for ecstatic utterances.
b.
In the second
hyperbole, Paul says that even if he had the gift of prophecy and is
able to understand all mysteries and knowledge including all faith so that
he could remove mountain but have no love, he is nothing i.e. he is
absolutely a nobody. [v. 2]
One would assume that if a believer
would have all the knowledge in the world including the gift of telling
future events and have the faith to move mountains he would be highly
regarded as a mature and supremely believer. But in Paul’s estimation, if
the motive behind the exercise of his gift is not love, then he is a
nobody.
c.
The third hyperbole
touches on the devoted and
consecrated life of the believer. Paul says that eve if he sells all his
worldly possessions and give all to the poor including giving his body to
be burned but without the motive of love in his heart, all his good deeds
would benefit him absolutely nothing. [v. 3]
d. The word for love in this
entire chapter is “agape”. This is the unconditional, sacrificial
and the highest form of love given only to God’s children. This took place
at the time of the person’s conversion (cf. Romans 5:5). In other words,
every believer has been given this special divine love from God. He has no
excuse not to exercise this love. This love is defined for us in verses 4
to 6.
(2) Love
will last whereas the gifts will cease
(vv. 7‑12).
a.
The gift of knowledge
and prophecy will cease when the Bible is completed.
The word “perfect” refers to the completion of the Bible. The reasons to
support this understanding include:
i.
The immediate context
-- All the three gifts cited here in the context have to do with the Word
of God. The gift of tongue refers to the Word of God given to man in
another language. This would cease long before the “perfect” comes. As
more and more Christians are converted there is no need for God to give
this gift to man. For example if I need someone to speak to my grandmother
who speaks only Teochew, God does not need to give me the gift of speaking
Teochew. I simply invite a church member who speaks Teochew to speak to my
grandmother the gospel of Christ. Missionaries today have to spend years
learning the languages of the people they are ministering to and then
translate for them the Word of God in that language. It could take their
entire life to accomplish this. The gift of tongues was a temporary gift
compared to the other two gifts mentioned here.
The gift of prophecies refers to the
Word of God declared in the language of the hearers. Knowledge here points
to the Word of God that has yet to be completely revealed as more than
half of the New Testament Scripture has yet to be written. For example,
much of the knowledge and prophecies of the last things has not been
revealed at the time of the writing of First Corinthians. Hence Paul says
in verse 9, “For we know in part and we prophesy in part.” For at this
point in time the disciples know in part through the continual use of the
gifts of knowledge and prophecy which was still needed until the New
Testament is completed. But the moment the Bible is completed these two
gifts will be done away with. They will not be needed. [v. 8]
ii.
The Grammar used for
the three gifts argue for cessation
-- The gifts that will cease are mentioned here. They are prophecies,
tongues, and knowledge. Prophecies and knowledge are in the “passive
voice.” This means that they will be caused to cease by something outside
of itself (use of the passive voice in “shall fail” and “shall vanish
away”‑‑v. 8). Whereas the gift of tongues is in the middle voice. That
means tongues will cease by itself i.e. cease on its own. This is the
significance of the use of the middle voice in verse 8. Therefore
tongues-speaking is already omitted in verse 9. [v. 9]
iii. The use of the word in
Greek is “teleios.” -- This word has been used in James 1:25 to refer to the perfect word of
God. James 1:25, “But whoso looketh into
the perfect (teleios) law of liberty, and continueth therein, he
being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be
blessed in his deed.” The Greek word for second coming is “telos”.
If Paul had wanted to refer to the second coming he would use “telos”
and not “teleios.” “Telos” is used in 1 Corinthians 15:24
and is translated as “the end.” [v. 10]
b.
Maturity will come to
the Christian through the
study of the completed Bible. We know partially now like a child, before
the completion of the Bible but we will know even as also we are known
(cf. v. 12). Who is the one who knows us? It is God. He knows about our
end and eternity which we will also know when the books of the New
Testament are completed. For example in the book of Revelation, the
Christian will know the final end of sin, Satan, death, Hell, present day
earth and heaven, eternal destination of the believers and unbelievers,
the new heaven and new earth, the wrath of God, etc.
c.
Of the three gifts from
God, love is greater than faith and hope (v. 13). Faith and hope
will not be needed in heaven but love remains. When we finally arrive in
heaven, faith and hope will turn to sight. They will be needed no more.
But love (agape love which is unconditional and sacrificial love)
will remain in our hearts for all eternity. The thrust of Paul’s argument
is that these gifts concerning the Word of God are important but they are
temporal. The greater gift of love which is the motivation behind the
exercise of the gift will last forever. Pursue after this gift called
love. Have it as the driving force behind the exercise of all gifts. With
love as the motivation the believer can never go wrong in the exercise of
his gift, whatever that gift might be.
1 Corinthians 14: The Gifts Must
Not be Abused in the Church
Having explained the theology behind
the giving and purpose of gifts in chapter 12, and the motivation behind
the use of gifts in chapter 13, Paul now continues his argument and will
deal with the problem in the church in Corinth. There must be no schism in
the use of gifts. Points to note include:
(1)
All gifts are for the
edification of the church including the gift of tongues.
It is never given to show off oneself (vv. 1‑11). Edification is defined
as, “promoting the spiritual growth and development of the character of
believers, by teaching or by example.” [Vine’s Expository Dictionary,
page 18]. In short edification means to build up the faith of the
believers. The mind has to be involved. It is not a warm feeling or
sensation as the Charismatic has intimated.
a. The gift of tongues
was abused by the church in Corinth.
People spoke in tongues without any interpretation and nobody in the
church of Corinth knew what they were talking about except the person
speaking it. It was basically for the purpose of “showing-off” my gift and
telling others that you do not have this gift but I do. This was
categorically castigated by the apostle Paul. [v. 2]
The “unknown tongue” mentioned in verse
2 does not refer to ecstatic utterances. It must not be understood as no
one “in the whole world” understands him. It refers to an unknown language
which no one in the church understands. Remember the context is
within the church worship service, the church in
Corinth. The only person who
understands the speaker who speaks in another language is God Himself.
Therefore, he speaks only to God and not to any man at all. As far as the
people are concern, he is speaking mysterious things. For example when I
listened to the students of the Bible College of East Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, sing or
share their testimony in Swahili, it was a mystery to me. To those who
understood they were edified. But I was not for I did not understand a
word.
The person who speaks the language
understands it himself. There is grammar and syntax in every language. But
if there is no one present who speaks that language why do you want to
speak it?
b.
Prophecy is better
than tongues if the latter has no interpretation
-- The Apostle Paul then used the gift of prophecy to demonstrate why the
gift of tongues must not be abused in this way. Paul points out that it is
important that the congregation understands the revelation that is given
in tongues (cf. vv 3-6). The person who prophesies speaks the Word of God
and every one understands as he will be speaking in the language of the
congregation. They would be edified and exhorted and comforted (cf. v. 3).
Edification always include understanding. The word “edifies” in Greek
literally means “to build up.”
On the other hand, the person who
speaks in tongues (i.e. speaking the Word of God in different language)
which no one understands edifies only himself, since he is the only one
who understands. In this sense, the gift of prophecy is better than the
gift of tongues-speaking. The Apostle Paul is not contradicting what he
has asserted earlier in chapters 12 and 13. There he has stated very
clearly that all gifts are the same and are useful for everyone. We need
each other as the body of Christ. No part of the body can say that he does
not need the other members of the body. There is no elevation of one gift
above another. Therefore what Paul is saying in Chapter 14 is that the
gift of tongues is being abused here when one uses it only for personal
edification and not for the edification of others which is the primary
goal of the spiritual gift. [3-5]
c. Speak in tongues
for the benefit of others – The use of tongue is for the benefit of
others. To benefit you Paul says, I speak by revelation (i.e. to speak
intelligibly), by knowledge (i.e. to make it understandable), by
prophesying (i.e. to communicate through interpretation), and by doctrine
(i.e. by teaching). Barnes summed up this verse as, “The sense of
this passage, therefore, is clear. Though Paul should utter among them, as
he had abundant ability to do, the most weighty and important truths, yet,
unless he interpreted what he said in a manner clear from obscurity, like
revelation; or intelligibly, and so as to constitute knowledge; or
in the manner that the prophets spoke, in a plain and intelligible manner;
or in the manner usual in simple and plain instruction, it would be
useless to them.”
Paul then illustrated this verse very
clearly by way of two examples. Things without sound like the pipe and
harp give a distinctive sound or else no one will no the difference
between a harp and a pipe (v. 7). In a battle field the sound of the
trumpet is a matter of life and death. If the trumpet blown is unclear and
the people do know if it to retreat of to charge forward, how will they
prepare themselves for battle? [vv. 7-8]
d. All
languages have significance – Therefore if the tongue (language)
spoken is not easily understood, no one would know what is spoken. You
only speak into the air! There are so many voices (languages) in the world
and none of them is without signification (lit. “without no meaning”). The
conclusion is that the person who hears you speaking in that unknown
language will regard you like a barbarian. [vv. 9-11]
(2)
Gifts can be abused
as seen in the abuse of the gift of tongues here in the church in Corinth.
Tongues-speaking was a popular gift as it was a prominent gift. The
problem was that many of these Corinthians were speaking in languages that
no one understands except the user himself. That was why Paul argues by
saying that it was better to speak five words with understanding than ten
thousand words without understanding (cf. vv. 12‑19).
a.
In verse 12, he qualifies
what he said in 12:31 that even as one desires spiritual gifts, seek to
super-abound in the edification of the church. Paul drew their
attention back to the fundamental and original purpose of the gifts of the
Holy Spirit. The one who speaks in an unknown tongue must pray that there
is one who can interpret. The question is why must he pray for someone to
interpret when he himself can understand? The problem is that he probably
does not speak the language of the people. If the person can speak in an
unknown tongue the Word of God and he knows the interpretation of that
language for the edification of the people present then there is no need
for him to speak in tongues for he could just simply speak in the language
of the people. On the other hand when he speaks in an unknown tongue and
he understands what he is saying but he does not know the language of the
people that he is addressing, then he needs an interpreter. There is no
point for him to speak the Word of God in a language that no one in the
church understands unless there is an interpreter who can translate his
message for him.
For example, when I preached in Kenya
at the Swahili Church, I spoke in English. I needed an interpreter to interpret my message for
me into Swahili. But if I can speak Swahili then I do not need to speak in
English but in Swahili. If there is no one who can interpret for me into
Swahili then it defeats the purpose for me speaking to the congregation as
they would not understand what I am saying. So Paul says in verse 13, pray
that there will be an interpreter or he may interpret it himself. [vv.
12-13]
b. Even in the realm of
praying in the church and not speaking the Word of God in an unknown
tongue -- In verse 14 Paul says that if he prays in a tongue that no one
understands (except he himself), then only his own spirit is praying.
Others around him who hear him pray but do not understand what he is
praying will not be edified. Hence the phrase “but my understanding is
unfruitful” which here means “my ability to understanding produces no
fruit in others, “which is not the purpose of the gifts of the Holy
Spirit, which is to edify others. The conclusion is that,
“What is it then? I will pray with
the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with
the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Else when thou
shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the
unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not
what thou sayest? For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not
edified."1
There is no point speaking in an
unknown tongue where no one understands as this would bring no blessing to
others. Tongues as a gift from God is for the blessing of others. If there
is no one who understands that language, why speak the Word of God or even
pray to God in that language? It is therefore futile to speak in an
unknown tongue which you understand but no one else in the congregation
understands. It is fruitless. They cannot even thank God together with you
(cf. v. 17)! [vv. 14-17]
c. Five words to teach
others than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue – Paul affirms
that he speaks more tongues (i.e. languages) than all of them and yet he
would rather speak only five words with what he understands than would
teach others than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue which no one
understand. [vv. 18-19] Do not lose sight of the purpose of the gifts of
the Holy Spirit, IT IS GIVEN FOR THE EDIFICATION OF OTHERS!
(3) Be mature in the use of the
gifts. When it comes to understanding the word of God do not be like
children, but be men. When it comes to evil deeds be like children. The
Christian does not need to experience evil to know that evil is wrong and
sinful.
Tongues were given in the Old Testament
days as a sign to the rebellious children of Israel when they did not
believe God’s prophecies. Therefore tongues became a sign to the
Israelites who rejected the Word of God in their own language. They were
thrust into exile and had to learn God’s Word in another language, the
language of the Chaldeans! That was why Daniel chapters 2:4b to
7:28 were written in Aramaic.
If everyone speaks in tongues i.e.
different and unknown languages and an outsider enters into the church, he
will think that the people are mad. Imagine a Japanese speaking
congregation listening to a man preaching in Swahili without
interpretation and a Japanese speaking visitor walks into the church. He
would say that this church is “mad.” But if all were to prophesy, i.e.
speak the Word of God in the same known language, then there will be no
confusion; everyone understands the word of prophecy as spoken in the
common language. The outsider who enters into the church will understand
and know what the speaker is saying. And when he is convicted of his sins
and believes in God he will say that indeed God is with the church in this
place (cf. vv. 20‑25).
(4) All gifts must be carefully
regulated in the church (cf. vv. 26‑33). The usage of gifts must be
carefully controlled. In the case of tongues-speaking it must be no more
than three different languages at the same time in the service. After each
language is spoken, there must be interpretation. If there is no one to
interpret, then there should be no tongues-speaking. I would not be
allowed to speak to the Mandarin congregation if I go there and speak only
in English. It is a waste of time and the unbeliever who goes there to
hear God’s Word will think that the speaker is indeed mad!
The practice of prophecies and tongues
were not forbidden by the apostle at that time because such gifts have not
ceased yet. Scripture was not completed yet. But these gifts ceased upon
the completion of the Holy Scripture. For anyone who claims that he
receives prophecies or new knowledge from God today is a false prophet. He
would be charged with adding to Scriptures. The warning is very clear in
Revelation 22:18-19, “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words
of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God
shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any
man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall
take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and
from the things which are written in this book.”
CONCLUSION
1.
Tongues are proper languages with syntax and grammar and not the babbling
that you find in the Charismatic churches today. What they speak is
babbling where no one understands. Warm feeling is not to be equated with
edification. Edification is to build up the faith and life of the
believers
2.
All gifts including the gift of tongue speaking are given by God for the
edification of other believers and not the user of the gift.
3.
God the Father and the Son all participate in the giving of gifts. The
Holy Spirit is the One who determine who gets which gift. Every believer
is given at least one gift.
4.
All gifts are of equal importance and no one can say that his gift is
better than another person’s.
5. The
motive behind the use of all gifts is agape love which is an unconditional
and sacrificial love that God gives to all believers at the time of their
conversion. The believer has no excuse not to have love as his motivation.
The unbeliever does not have this kind of love.
6. Tongues
will ceased by itself even before the completion of Scriptures. Prophecies
and knowledge will cease at the completion of the Scriptures. All the
knowledge that is necessary for the believer’s well being and to live a
victorious Christian life is found in the Holy Bible.
7. The
use of all gifts must be carefully regulated and be used in an orderly
manner. Their usage must not bring about confusion, jealousy, resentment
and schism. It must be for the edification of the saints and God’s glory.
Note
11
Corinthians 14:15-17.
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