1 Corinthians 14:9-12 (WEL) So in the same way, unless you speak easily understood words with your tongue, how will anyone understand what is spoken? You might as well speak into the air. 10 There are, for example, many kinds of sounds in the world, and none of them are without meaning. 11 Therefore, if I don’t know what the sound means, I will be a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker will be a foreigner to me. 12 Since you are so zealous for spiritual gifts, seek so that you may use them to the fullest for edifying the congregation.
V9 So in the same way, unless you speak easily understood words with your tongue, how will anyone understand what is spoken? You might as well speak into the air.
Paul emphasizes the importance that what is spoken must be understood by the people. This is a principle in teaching and preaching. God is the perfect communicator, and the Scriptures are His communication to humanity.
V10 There are, for example, many kinds of sounds in the world, and none of them are without meaning.
The sounds may be animal and human languages, music sounds, trumpet communication, snake hisses, wind, crashes, etc.
V11 Therefore, if I don’t know what the sound means, I will be a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker will be a foreigner to me.
Since Paul refers to human languages, it must be understood or little if any communication can exist for fellowship, edification, rebuke, etc. Thus, we learn the importance of communicating clearly.
(Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible) “Even an apostle could not edify, unless he spoke so as to be understood by his hearers. To speak words that have no meaning to those who hear them, is but speaking into the air. That cannot answer the end of speaking, which has no meaning; in this case, speaker and hearers are barbarians to each other.”
V12 Since you are so zealous for spiritual gifts, seek so that you may use them to the fullest for edifying the congregation.
The most important motivation is to help the other believers continue to grow in the Christian faith.
Warren W. Wiersbe notes: “Paul first applied the principle of understanding to the speaker himself. Again, he reminded the Corinthians that it is better to be a blessing to the church than to experience some kind of personal “spiritual excitement.” If the believer speaks in a tongue, his spirit (inner person) may share in the experience, but his mind is not a part of the experience. It is not wrong to pray or sing “in the spirit,” but it is better to include the mind and understand what you are praying or singing.”
We learn:
• To communicate clearly.
• To edify the other believers.
Questions:
• How do you edify the other believers in your fellowship?
• Are you seeking to bless others?