Spiritual Gifts and Edification of the Church (1-2-2013)

January 2, 2012

14:1		你 們 要 追 求 愛 、 也 要 切 慕 屬 靈 的 恩 賜 、 其 中 更 要 羨 慕 的 、 是 作 先 知 講 道 。 〔 原 文 作 是 說 預 言 下 同 〕
14:2		那 說 方 言 的 、 原 不 是 對 人 說 、 乃 是 對 　 神 說 ． 因 為 沒 有 人 聽 出 來 ． 然 而 他 在 心 靈 裡 、 卻 是 講 說 各 樣 的 奧 秘 。
14:3		但 作 先 知 講 道 的 、 是 對 人 說 、 要 造 就 、 安 慰 、 勸 勉 人 。
14:4		說 方 言 的 、 是 造 就 自 己 ． 作 先 知 講 道 的 、 乃 是 造 就 教 會 。
14:5		我 願 意 你 們 都 說 方 言 ． 更 願 意 你 們 作 先 知 講 道 ． 因 為 說 方 言 的 、 若 不 翻 出 來 、 使 教 會 被 造 就 、 那 作 先 知 講 道 的 、 就 比 他 強 了 。

 ¹ Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. ² For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. ³ But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. ⁴ Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. ⁵ I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.

Paul shows the way for the spiritual maturity of a believer - following the way of loving God and loving people, and desiring the gifts for edifying the church. "Loving" and "Desiring" are the two benchmarks of a healthy growth of a believer. Paul distinguishes between the gifts of "prophecy" and "speaking in tongues" in order to clarify the purpose of spiritual gifts - i.e. for edification of the church and of the believer himself or herself. All gifts are given by the Spirit for the good of His people but in the case of Corinthians believers, their boasting of speaking in tongues over the exercise of the other ministries had violated the purpose of the spiritual gifts, and hence gift of prophecy becomes more important in that sense. Hence, all gifts are important in the eyes of the Lord while they are exercised for the common good of the church. 

My heavenly Father, I hunger to experience your love through your Son by the Spirit. I also commit my whole self to the Spirit that You manifest your presence and power in people's lives through all the gifts you have endowed to me.