Seek the Good of Others
1 Corinthians 14:13-26
International Sunday School Lesson
July 27, 2014
Commentary
By
Jed Greenough
“For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.” 1 Corinthians 14:33
Peace meaning order is how Paul was describing how God was and not disorder and not chaos and how we are to worship Him similarly.
This should have been apparent to any Jews who came to convert but for Gentiles who did not have this history it is clear even today that yes, God wants regulated worship!
I think for many today that statement might come as a shock but it is clear in our Bibles that we are to have this order so that the message is understood. In our scripture for today and those not included elsewhere in this chapter, we see this with regard to the speaking in a language that others do not understand.
Verse 22 says that, “Tongues, then are a sign…”for unbelievers. An unbeliever who hears their tongue (language), such as the best example in Acts 2:4-12, 41, comes to believe. But this is in the context of an orderly delivery. In today’s scripture Paul uses one of disorder, “So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?” verse 23.
Clearly the gift exists as we know (1 Corinthians 12:28) but not all are given the gift just as not all are given the gift to teach (1 Corinthians 12:28, 30). But Paul is instructing us in, as today’s title says, to seek the good of others and worship in a beneficial an orderly fashion, “When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.” 1 Corinthians 14:26a-28
These words are not included in today’s scripture but neither are the ones that follow but they all deal with the way we are to help one another, some to come to God, others to worship Him.
Some things show the nature of who God is in the Bible by an indirect route. For example, we are not to lose ourselves in wine to the point of debauchery (Ephesians 5:18) but though we are not told it we know that this would extend by this inference to not doing the same with today’s illicit drugs.
But other things show the nature of God in a very direct manner such as we read in 1 Corinthians 14 today. And like some may want to do just the opposite of the direction in Ephesians 5 and not like to hear otherwise some may not want to hear these instructions for how God wants His worship. If you ignore this, be prepared to be ignored! 1 Corinthians 14:38
For Discussion:
1. If your church does not speak in tongues discuss how you treat those who do.
2. If your church has no one who does discuss if this is a neglected gift of the Spirit no different than any other neglected gift of the Spirit.
3. Discuss verse 15.
4. Discuss the change in worship in today’s church worship service compared to that described in 1 Corinthians 14.
5. Is the Sunday School class the closest thing today we have to that being described?
6. If so, what can we do about coming even closer to that being described?
7. Again, if so, what does that mean about our worship services?
Upcoming Lessons
August 3 Consolation Granted Through Prayer or Comfort in Times of Trouble, 2 Corinthians 1:3-11
August 10 A Community Forgives or Forgiveness and Restoration, 2 Corinthians 1:23-2:11
August 17 Treasure in Clay Pots or Treasure in Earthen Vessels, 2 Corinthians 4:2-15 or 2 Corinthians 4:1-15
August 24 An Appeal for Reconciliation, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13; 7:2-4 or 2 Corinthians 6:1-13; 7:1-4
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved
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