Spiritual gifts are gifts from God. The exist and only through God. I have heard it said that we can possess only one gift, or that God gives one specific, and then will bless with other gifts in times of need. I am not sure why those teaching on gifts need to set man made rules and interpretation on the gifts from God, I personally do not read God’s Word to say one gift per believer. In 14:1 it says to desire giftS, especially prophesy. This sounds like it is for us to only ask and want and God will give. I think the most important thing to know is God does gift us with spiritual gifts, to do HIS work, for HIM. Once a believer, we are given the tools by our Father to walk our walk well.
14 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. The ‘tongue’ here does lean to being a language for God. IF in this circumstance it is, it is obvious it is not meant to be a bunch of mumbo jumbo BABBLE in front of a bunch of men. It is praying, speaking conversing with God, and I still think in OUR own native language. 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. To have a gift, such as prophesy, that allows one to tell of God, His Word, the meaning of His Word, is a gift to everyone. 5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. Paul wants everyone to converse with God, but more so to speak God’s Word to others.
6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? 7 Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? 8 For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? 9 So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. 11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. First remember the attitude of these people, many think they are ‘better’ than others, because of their prestige, and possibly because they can MAKE themselves speak mumbo jumbo and claim it is ‘God’ speaking through them. SECOND: IF tongues is ‘God’ speaking, how is that of use to anyone if no one can understand. So instead of getting attention for yourself by babbeling, speak the TRUE words of God, to explain God’s wants of man. 12 Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. Addressing the attitude again, don’t make up a gift blessing that is useless, ask for one that is for others.
13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. 16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? 17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified. If you speak in tongues, you need MORE, or you are useless. Obviously saying there is more than one gift per person.
18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; 19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.
21 In the law it is written:
“With men of other tongues and other lips
I will speak to this people;
And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,”[b]
says the Lord.
22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. It seems Paul is saying that tongues is a different language not mumbo jumbo. Seems he has found a nice way of saying you that brag about tongues are faking it. Like a bunch of kids pretending to speak a different language. 23 Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? If the Corinthians all stand around and speak mumbo jumbo, and unbeleivers come, they will not hear of God. If a church denomination gets caught up in their own legalist rules of don’t do this or wear that, instead of just living out God’s true Word, then unbelievers will never hear the Truth. 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you. Hearing the Truth and nothing but the Truth from those who live the Truth, one can not help but believe in the one true God
26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 30 But if anythingis revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. Don’t compete to be HEARD and seen. This is about GOD not you. Let ‘new’ interpretations, and ideas be studied between other believers, don’t spout out every worldly thought, this only confuses those who are seeking the truth.
34 Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. I HATE this. I want to believe this is about these Corinthian women being over bearing and needing to find their place. These Corinthians are messing up EVERYTHING in their church. BUT women, especially ‘church’ women over step their bounds more often than not, I think this pertains today, to all of us. 😦 Just think how much different things would be if Eve had just asked Adam, or if Sarai had discussed her fear of never getting pregnant with Abram, instead of giving him her servant 35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church. Shameful? REally Paul?
36 Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached? Don’t know if he is addressing women still. I think this could be teaching for anyone who has tendency to interpret the Word to fit their agenda. AND to point out to ALL that God speaks the Word, not any MAN, EVER. 37 If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. Remember ignorant is to be uneducated, not knowledgable of, it is not being an idiot.
39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
I'm Not So Petty 