Encouragement

 1 Corinthians 14
But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.
1 Corinthians 14:3  NIV


LET IT GLOW

It is my hope and purpose of this blog to strengthen the faith of beleivers, while encouraging them to stay faithful in serving God, and bringing comfort with the Word. It certainly has been for my life as I dig into the Scriptures. I hope it is for you, too. As in Titus 2:3, I am an older woman teaching younger women the "how to's" of the Word.

In this chapter, Paul is comparing the value of two spiritual gifts-prophecy and speaking in tongues.
Remember, spiritual gifts are given to believers, by the Holy Spirit, to be used in the church.

According to King James Dictionary, prophecy is a noun meaning a fortelling; prediction; a declaration of something to come; preaching; public interpretation of Scripture. The verb prophesy means, in scripture, to preach; to instruct in religious doctrines; to interpret or explain Scripture or religious subjects; to exhort.

Shepherd's Notes  states:

Paul tells us that prophecy is more important than speaking in tongues because it edifies the whole church, is understood by all, and inspires conviction, confession, and worship, and if from God through people to others. Whereas, speaking in tongues is self-edifying, needs to be interpreted to be understood, and is from people to God. Paul says he would rather that people have the gift of prophecy  than tongues.

Prophecy is for strengthening (to build up others), encouragement (a calling to one's aid, by the side), and comfort (a speaking closely to anyone).

King James Version of the Bible uses the words edification, exhortation, and comfort.

According to King James Dictionary:

Edification means to build up, in a moral and religious sense; improvement and progress of the mind, in knowledge in morals, or in faith and holiness.
Exhortation means the form of words intended to incite and encourage; advice; counsel.
Comfort means to strengthen, to cheer or enliven; a relief of pain.

The Word of God gives us strength, encouragement, and comfort as we read it. However, God knows we need the meat of the Word, so He gives us preachers.

Again, Shepherd's Notes says:

Paul equipped his readers with three basic principles that he applied to their worship and service:
1. "All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church." (verse 26)
2. "God is not a God of disorder, but of peace." (verse 33)
3. "Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way." (verse 40)

(In regard to the gift of speaking in tongues, which can be controversial: it is Spirit-inspired utterance that is
not intelligible. It is a form of ecstatic utterance. It is not the ability to speak in foreign languages. Reference:Shepherd's Notes) Paul's guidelines are given in verses 27-28, where an interpreter is needed.


LET IT GROW

Now, ladies, I know that Scripture about "women keeping silent in church"  is in this chapter. What does it mean? Is it applicable today? I've been researching the writings of various ministers of the Word. Here's what I found:

Jerry Falwell said in Liberty Bible Commentary:

Obviously, this must be interpreted in light of 11:5 where it is clear that Paul understood that women were permitted to prophesy and to pray in public worship so long as they were properly dressed. The expression may have reference to speaking in tongues. That is, they were denied the privilege of exercising the gift of tongues in the assembly. Alternatively, it may have reference to what follows. (verse 35) Women were not allowed to disrupt the service by asking questions and talking while the service was going on. Certainly, they were not to speak out in tongues either. Public worship was to be reflective of the  One to whom it was directed, thus it was to be beautiful and harmonious.

John Gill said,"Men, not women, were directed to preach and teach. Women, in public assemblies/the church, were not to speak with tongues, nor prophesy, or preach, or teach the Word. All speaking is not prohibited for women; they might speak their experiences to the church, or give an account of the work of God upon their souls; they might speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; or speak as an evidence in any case at a church meeting; but not in such sort, as carried in it direction, instruction, government, and authority. Women came to hear, men came to teach-in churches of Christ."

David Guzik told us,"Men and women sat in different groups at church (in Paul's day). Among Corinthian Christians, there seems to have been the problem of momen chattering or disrupting the meetings with questions. Don't disrupt the meeting. Ask your questions at home.

John Wesley taught, "Unless they (women) are under an extraordinary impulse of the Spirit, they were not permitted to speak, by way of teaching in public assemblies."

My pastor has taught that this verse was in reference to speaking in tongues that was not permitted by women in church services. I want to obey the Word and please God, be in subjection and under the authority of my husband.


LET IT GO

Help strengthen, encourage, and comfort others with the Word of God.

Listen more and  speak less.