1 Corinthians 14:1-10

"Pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy. For those who speak in a tongue do not speak to other people but to God; for nobody understands them, since they are speaking mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, those who prophesy speak to other people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. Those who speak in a tongue build up themselves, but those who prophesy build up the church. Now I would like all of you to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. One who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you in some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? It is the same way with lifeless instruments that produce sound, such as the flute or the harp. If they do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is being played? And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? So with yourselves; if in a tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air. There are doubtless many different kinds of sounds in the world, and nothing is without sound" (1 Corinthians 14:1-10).

Comment:

 Paul is writing from Ephesus to the struggling church he had founded during his time in Corinth. In his absence, the members had fallen into disarray, arguing about a number of issues and fighting for the supremacy of one spiritual gift over another. Paul's overall intent is simply to keep things calm until the return of Jesus Christ, which he expected at any moment. His point here is that the spiritual gift of 'speaking in tongues' is not all that helpful, since no one can understand what's being said. It may be a valid personal gift, a testament to a close relationship with Source. But it can't be helpful to others, and it won't help to "build up" the church. Prophecy, on the other hand, can be understood by all, so it has a greater value.

Is there a message for us in these Corinthian concerns? I think so. It's important, as we grow in spiritual awareness, that we stay grounded in our human experience as well. It's possible to become so caught up in our personal relationship to the Divine that we become separated from the dualistic world around us. We are the 'temples' in which the Divine and the human are connected, so that we can infuse this world with our spiritual Truth. We can't effectively do that if we are so divorced from those around us that no one can understand us. 

Blessings!

Rev. Ed