Pursue Love, Desire Gifts - 1 Corinthians 12-14

Pursue Love, Desire Gifts

1 Corinthians 14:1-3 (ESV)
1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.

In the above verses Paul is continuing his instructions to the church at Corinth in regard to their pursuit and use of spiritual gifts.  To understand his teaching we have to understand the backdrop of their history and the Greek worship system.  These believes were are one time, “pagans.”   Note:

1 Corinthians 12:2 (ESV)
2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led.

In their pagan worship of “mute idols” the practice of gibberish was part of the worship service.   The Greeks thought this to be the language of gods.   The Corinthian church was starting to weave in their past practices with their current worship.  Paul found this wrong and was writing to correct them.   In the above passage he is telling them that in the act of using spiritual gifts (already explained in chapter 12) we need to first and foremost practice love (already explained in chapter 13).  But, the gift of tongues (what they were trying to simulate in the flesh like their pagan worship) was not as a preferred as the gift of prophesy (being explained in chapter 14).   Paul is going to use chapter 14 to outline why prophecy is a great gift and why they (the Corinthians) should don’t put so much emphasis on speaking in an unknown tongue.  They key Paul is stating here is that tongue speak in a mystery (if that) and do not edify the body.  But, prophesy (proclaiming God’s Word, plan and purpose) is edifying, upbuilding, encouragement and consoling to the entire body.   The Corinthians were, according to Paul, debase in their spiritual nature.  Rather than lift their worship to the level of God’s desire, they wanted to return to their old natures.   This is, however, all they new.  Paul is not, necessarily, admonishing them in anger.  He is teaching them in the Spirit about things they didn’t know.    Our worship ought not mimic what we knew in the flesh. It ought to be something we seek to glorify God, obey God and bring praise to God.