1 Corinthians 14:21

1 Corinthians 14:21

In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

a. NLT: It is written in the Scriptures: “I will speak to my own people through strange languages and through the lips of foreigners. But even then, they will not listen to me,” says the LORD. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

b. NIV: In the Law it is written: “With other tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” [THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.]

c. YLT: in the law it hath been written, that, 'With other tongues and with other lips I will speak to this people, and not even so will they hear Me, saith the Lord;' [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

d. Amplified Bible: It is written in the Law, By men of strange languages and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and not even then will they listen to Me, says the Lord. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

e. Worrell Translation: In the law it has been written, “With other tongues, and other lips of others, I will speak to this people; and not even thus will they listen to Me,” saith the Lord. [Copyright 1904 by A.S. Worrell. Copyright assigned to the Assemblies of God, Springfield, MO. This edition was published 1980 by the Gospel Publishing House, Springfield, MO 65802. Printed in the U.S.A.]

1. “In the law it is written…” 

a. in [Strong: 1722 en, en; a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between G1519 and G1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:—about, after, against, + almost, × altogether, among, × as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), × mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, × outwardly, one, × quickly, × shortly, (speedi-)ly, × that, × there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

b. the [Strong: 3588. [tō] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [tō] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn, ta, tēs, tois, tais, tō, tōn, tou, Hē, hé  hē, hai, tas.]

c. law [Strong: 3551 nómos, nom'-os; from a primary νέμω némō (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle):—law.] 

c. [it is] written [Strong: 1125 gráphō, graf'-o; a primary verb; to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe:—describe, write(-ing, -ten).]

d. [Strong: 3754 hóti, hot'-ee; neuter of G3748 as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:—as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.]

2. “…With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people…”

a. With [Strong: 1722 en, en; a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between G1519 and G1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:—about, after, against, + almost, × altogether, among, × as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), × mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, × outwardly, one, × quickly, × shortly, (speedi-)ly, × that, × there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

b. [men of] other tongues [Strong: 2084 heteróglōssos, het-er-og'-loce-sos; from G2087 and G1100; other- tongued, i.e. a foreigner:—man of other tongue.]

c. and [Strong: 2532 kaí, kahee; apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:—and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

d. [Strong: 1722 en, en; a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between G1519 and G1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:—about, after, against, + almost, × altogether, among, × as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), × mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, × outwardly, one, × quickly, × shortly, (speedi-)ly, × that, × there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

 

e. other [Strong: 2087 héteros, het'-er-os; of uncertain affinity; (an-, the) other or different:—altered, else, next (day), one, (an-)other, some, strange.]

f. lips [Strong: 5491 cheîlos, khi'-los; from a form of the same as G5490; a lip (as a pouring place); figuratively, a margin (of water):—lip, shore.]

g. [will I] speak [Strong: 2980 laléō, lal-eh'-o; a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. utter words:—preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter.]

h. the [Strong: 3588. [tō] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [tō] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn, ta, tēs, tois, tais, tō, tōn, tou, Hē, hé  hē, hai, tas.]

i. [unto] this [Strong: 5129 toútōi, too'-to; dative case singular masculine or neuter of G3778; to (in, with or by) this (person or thing):—here(-by, -in), him, one, the same, there(-in), this.]

j. people [Strong: 2992 laós, lah-os'; apparently a primary word; a people (in general; thus differing from G1218, which denotes one's own populace):—people.]

3. “…and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.”

a. and [Strong: 2532 kaí, kahee; apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:—and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. yet for all that [Strong: 3779 hoútō, hoo'-to; adverb from G3778; in this way (referring to what precedes or follows):—after that, after (in) this manner, as, even (so), for all that, like(-wise), no more, on this fashion(-wise), so (in like manner), thus, what.]

c. [will they] not [Strong: 3761 oudé, oo-deh'; from G3756 and G1161; not however, i.e. neither, nor, not even:—neither (indeed), never, no (more, nor, not), nor (yet), (also, even, then) not (even, so much as), + nothing, so much as.]

c. hear [Strong: 1522 eisakoúō, ice-ak-oo'-o; from G1519 and G191; to listen to:—hear.]

d. me [Strong: 3450 moû, moo; the simpler form of G1700; of me:—I, me, mine (own), my.]

e. saith [Strong: 3004 légō, leg'-o; a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas G2036 and G5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while G4483 is properly to break silence merely, and G2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:—ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.]

g. [the] Lord [Strong: 2962 kýrios, koo'-ree-os; from κῦρος kŷros (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):—God, Lord, master, Sir.]

1). The Apostle Paul dedicated a significant part of his first letter to the Corinthian church explaining spiritual gifts. [Now Paul didn’t write chapters to his letters, but for our sake the translators divided the letters or books into chapters.] Just about the whole chapter of 1 Corinthians 14 is devoted to the use of “divers kinds of tongues” [There is more than one kind!], and “the interpretation of tongues”, two of the nine gifts of the Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 14:21 the Apostle Paul quotes Isaiah 28:11, 12 and applies it to speaking in tongues.

2). This is a quote from Isaiah 28:11, 12 “For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.”

a). rest [Strong: 4496 4496 mnuwchah men-oo-khaw' or mnuchah {men-oo-khaw'}; feminine of 4495; repose or (adverbially) peacefully; figuratively, consolation (specifically, matrimony); hence (concretely) an abode:--comfortable, ease, quiet, rest(-ing place), still.] [Gesenius: a condition of rest, a place of rest, hence a habitation.]

b). rest (second) [Strong: 5117 5117 nuwach noo'-akh a primitive root; to rest, i.e. settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, let fall, place, let alone, withdraw, give comfort, etc.):--cease, be confederate, lay, let down, (be) quiet, remain, (cause to, be at, give, have, make to) rest, set down.] [Gesenius: to set oneself down, to rest, to be at rest, from labor.]

c). weary [Strong: 5889 5889 `ayeph aw-yafe' from 5888; languid:--faint, thirsty, weary.] [Gesenius: one who is wearied out, either with a journey or with toil, and at the same time suffers from thirst.]

d). refreshing [Strong: 4774 marge`ah mar-gay-aw' from 7280; rest:--refreshing.] Gesenius: rest, a tranquill habitation.]

3). The prophet says in these verses that with a stammering lip and another tongue the LORD would speak to his people and that it would not only be a rest, it would cause the weary to rest and it would be a refreshing. Paul used this verse when he was discussing the regulations of tongues in a church service. An interesting fact is that when Paul quotes Isaiah 28:11, 12, he leaves off most of verse 12. He leaves off, “To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing…” There is an old Jewish tradition that says when the beginning of the verse and the end of it are quoted, everything in the middle is also included. In Isaiah 28:12 Isaiah concludes the verse by writing “yet they would not hear”.  In 1 Corinthians 14:21 Paul writes, and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.” Is Paul saying that the Body of Christ as a whole would reject this gift? Yes, and in doing so are depriving themselves of an awesome promise that would enrich their lives and bring them into a more intimate relationship with Christ. I want to merge what Isaiah says with what Paul and Jude write about the benefits of praying in tongues.

a). 1 Corinthians 14:4 “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself;”

(1)  edifieth [Strong: 3618 3618. oikodomeo oy-kod-om-eh'-o from the same as 3619; to be a house-builder, i.e. construct or (figuratively) confirm:--(be in) build(-er, -ing, up), edify, embolden.]

b). Jude 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.

(1) building [Strong: 2026 2026. epoikodomeo ep-oy-kod-om-eh'-o from 1909 and 3618; to build upon, i.e. (figuratively) to rear up:--build thereon (thereupon, on, upon).]

4). The Greek words for “edifieth” and “building” are the same Greek word oikodomeo; except in the word for “building” it has the prefix epi-upon.  As I pray in tongues I am building an abode where I can enter into and receive rest and refreshing in my spirit from the Holy Spirit. This is one of the personal benefits of praying in the spirit, that I will receive rest and refreshing and a building up of my spirit. No doubt this is why at the same time Paul was chastising the Corinthian Church for abusing the utterance gifts of “divers kinds of tongues” and “interpretation of tongues”, in 1 Corinthians 14, he also wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:18, “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all.” Paul prayed in tongues more than anyone in the Corinthian church because he knew the spiritual benefit, the building up and the rest and refreshing of his inner man. For the most part the church has failed to understand Paul was distinguishing between two different manifestations of “divers kinds of tongues”. Paul references both of them in 1 Corinthians 14, but he deals more with one than the other. One deals with the manifestation of tongues in a church setting, the other deals with personal prayer. The regulations Paul lays out in 1 Corinthians 14 are so that the manifestation of tongues in a church setting are done “decently and in order”, of which the most clear separation is shown in verse 28.

a). 1 Corinthians 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

5). The following verses though, all deal with praying in tongues in personal prayer.

a). 1 Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

b). 1 Corinthians 14:4 “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself…”

c). 1 Corinthians 14:13, 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

14:14 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

6). Praying in tongues, praying in the spirit is a benefit God wants to give to his church, the whole church. Paul’s parting thoughts on this volatile subject is worth repeating.

a). 1 Corinthians 14:36-40 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

14:38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 

14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.