1 Corinthians 14:18-21
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,” says the Lord.
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,” says the Lord.
Building on the previous verses on speaking understandably and to edify, we now see clear communication of God’s truth to teach is of infinite value over unnecessary gifts of languages except when needed, as at Pentecost when the separation of people at Babel was reversed to make God’s people of all nations one in Christ. Therefore we must understand when God spoke in Isaiah 28:11-12 that this pointed to something beyond that unity - those with hardened hearts would hear many languages, even supernaturally given, yet still refuse to believe. Tongues (languages) are only effective in reaching His people, and the message in those words is what is heard or rejected.
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