Gifts in the Corinthian Church

Those who feel that they are special because they have had an experience of being baptised in the Spirit or have a spiritual gift can be a danger both to themselves and to their church. Too often these issues have been divisive in churches. Jesus did not encourage the practices seen in some churches. Neither did Jesus’ apostles. The gift of the Spirit at Pentecost was accompanied by audible and visible external physical events. The disciples changed to become passionate about the gospel. God enabled them to speak real foreign languages by which foreigners heard the gospel of Jesus, The only letter in the New Testament that refers to the gift of tongues is the first letter to Corinth. It is notably absent from 2 Corinthians. This question was clearly not a major issue for the apostles so it is to our shame that some churches make it so today.

In 1 Corinthians chapter twelve, Paul addresses what was clearly a divisive issue in the Corinthian church, the question of gifts. He stresses that gifts are given by God for building up the church. They are not for personal satisfaction or private use.

“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” 1 Corinthians 12:7

He then tells of some of the gifts seen amongst the members of this young church, starting with those who are proclaiming the message. The list finishes,

“ . . . to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.” 1 Corinthians 12:10

This part of the letter is all to do with the public ministry of the church whose members are to work together for the glory of the Lord Jesus. It is clear that at the church meetings there were some who spoke other languages and others who could translate. The obvious meaning of this for a church meeting in such a cosmopolitan city with many visitors from other countries is that the gift was given so that visitors could understand the message. Chapter fourteen supports that this was Paul’s meaning.

There were some within the church who wanted gifts that others had and some who denounced those who did not have their gift. Such jealousy and pride is denounced.

“Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.” . . . If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?” 1 Corinthians12:14-17

This refers to roles within the church. The gifts are for the benefit of the church as a whole. It is a great shame to hear of people, talking about gifts they think they have received, who believe these are for themselves. This section finishes,

“Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the higher gifts.” 1 Corinthians 12:29-31

However the word ‘tongues’ or ‘languages’ is understood, this section in the letter is about the public use of such a gift. There were people at Corinth who were using their gifts to gratify themselves and to make them feel ‘special’. Such awful thinking is percolating into many churches today. We are special because the Lord Jesus has saved us and given us His Spirit. We know we have his Spirit, not because of any experience or gift but because we want our lives to take on the mantle of Jesus.

Paul now stresses that the only purpose of gifts from God is to build up and encourage other people – to love them. Having a gift itself is meaningless unless it is used to build others up.

“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-2

Paul goes on to say that great generosity and even martyrdom, if not given out of a sense of love for others, gains nothing.

In chapter 14 Paul continues to discuss the use of gifts in public services. Some at Corinth clearly valued their gift of ‘tongues’. Paul undermines the thinking of such people. What the church needs is those who can communicate the gospel clearly, not people who use gifts for their own benefit.

“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no-one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.” 1 Corinthians 14:1-4

In this next section Paul helps define what he means by ‘tongues’. It is a real language that can have a precise translation.

“Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? . . . if a trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.” 1 Corinthians 14:6,9-10

Many have tried to justify a wide variety of meanings about ‘tongues’ from these verses but the main point of these chapters is to criticise practices that were not building up the church. That is the purpose of gifts. To try to use these passages to justify alternative uses for tongues or other gifts, such as in private worship, is not justifiable.

Paul continues to speak about the use of gifts in the church.

“Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church. For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says.” 1 Corinthians 14:13

It should be stressed that this section is all about public worship though some have tried to use this passage to justify private meaningless worship. This is clearly not what Paul is teaching here. Christian worship is full of meaningful praise and thanksgiving - in contrast to Hindu practices that advocate meaningless mantras and prayer. Everything we do in our churches must be meaningful. Paul continues,

“If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say ‘Amen’ to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying.” 1 Corinthians 14:16

The Corinthian church was criticised by Paul for being naive. They weren’t thinking clearly at all. People in a mature relationship, such as a marriage, do not use meaningless noises to communicate with each other. The use of ‘tongues’ is to communicate the gospel. This understanding about the role of tongues was prophesied in the Old Testament.

“Brothers, stop thinking like children. In your regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. In the Law it is written: “Through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to the people, but even then they will not listen to me,” says the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 14:20-21

This quotation suggests that Paul is referring to the use of real languages in the church, and these languages, as at Pentecost, were used to tell the gospel to others.

“Tongues then are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers.” 1 Corinthians 14:22

This is why church services must be orderly. Paul’s concern is that any outsiders coming to the church should be impressed by the message and not put off by the strange behaviour of the believers.

“So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say you are out of your mind?” 1 Corinthians 14:23

How badly the church at Corinth had misunderstood for what purpose their gifts and particularly the gift of ‘tongues’ existed. The big challenge for Christians today is to decide whether Jesus is sufficient for our every need, how we can foster that relationship with him and whether spiritual extras are important for that relationship. People have always been looking for extras, such as for supernatural confirmation of their beliefs or for a person to idolise. Such behaviour concerned Jesus greatly. He said to the woman who wanted to idolise Mary,

“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Luke 11:28-29

Jesus, his miracles, his teaching, his call to repentance, his resurrection and the power of God’s Spirit changing people to be like Jesus, are what God’s Spirit uses to draw other people into God’s kingdom. The use of miracles and other signs to advertise the Christian faith can take peoples’ eyes off Jesus onto the gifts. Simon Magus wanted the gift but not Jesus as Lord. He said to Peter,

“Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit. Peter replied . . .”You have no share or part in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.” Acts 8:19-21

Let us all say, like Paul,

“Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:31

BVP