Speaking in Tongues Builds Faith: 1 Corinthians 14:16-18

Else when you shall bless with the spirit how shall they that occupy the room of the unlearned say Amen at your giving of thanks seeing they understand not what you say For you truly give thanks well but the other is not built up [1] I thank my God I speak tongues more than you all[2]

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[1] In terms of faith building (Jude 20) and praying the perfect will of God (Romans 8:26-27), much good comes from praying in the Holy Ghost (tongues).

[2] Paul clearly did not discourage speaking in tongues. How could he when he just boasted that he spoke in tongues more than anyone? Yet some persist in missing the point that this chapter of Paul’s letter is meant to address motives and method. It is not meant to disparage the gift. Those who oppose the gift of tongues, tend to do away with the gifts of the Holy Spirit altogether by teaching that they were only for the early church, but that teaching is not found in this chapter, nor anywhere else in scripture.

This is an excerpt from The Hungry Hearts Bible Commentary edited by this author.