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Daily Devotions

1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 
Day 
Day 182

"In the law it is written:"

Text: 1 Corinthians 14:21

THE PROPHETIC WORD CITED

The word “law” may be used as a technical reference to the Mosaic Law. But it may also be used to refer to the authority of the Scriptures. This was how Paul used the word “law” in this context.

“In the law it is written:
‘With men of other tongues and other lips
I will speak to this people;
And yet, for all this, they will not hear Me,’
says the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 14:21

1. “In the law it is written”

a) This quotation is taken from Isaiah 28:11-12.
b) The Book of Isaiah is not commonly referred to as “the law”.
c) Paul was expressing the following thoughts.
i) The Scriptures as a whole are authoritative.
ii) Thus, the word “law” may be used for it was certainly authoritative.
iii) The phrase “It is written” was used commonly to the Written Scriptures (and it covered the Prophetic books.
iv) Paul used this phrase with an understanding that was common among the Biblical New Testament writers.

2. “With men of other tongues and other lips”

a) The reference in Isaiah was not a reference to tongue speaking at all.
b) It was a reference to how God would have to teach His people His Word.
i) As if they were children.
ii) In the languages of foreigners.
iii) Israel would be in captivity and they had to learn the language of their masters/ captors.
iv) They would have to learn things “line upon line, and precept upon precept”.
c) Yet for all the effort, the people would still not hear the Word of the Lord.

3. The Application of this prophetic Word to the Corinthian church

a) The gift of being able to speak in foreign languages must be understood carefully.
b) This was God’s special way of reaching out to His people with His Word.
c) The gift of tongues was not to be unwisely used for “personal reasons”.
d) The lack of understanding of this prophetic word had to be addressed.
e) The danger of misusing this gift or worse of abusing it must be noted and avoided.
f) Spiritual maturity must be sought.

This would safeguard the Church from the grave danger of misusing this special gift from God.