1 Corinthians 14:23-25, Focus on the Word

1 Corinthians 14:23-25 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: 25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

The church in Corinth has an undue focus on those who speak in foreign languages so that the focus was on the display of the gift of speaking in foreign languages. When the Word of God and Christ is not the centre and focus in the church, such skewing would be costly to the spiritual well-being of the church especially when there are newcomers and unbelievers coming to the church.

When the focus was not on the Word of God in the church but on these sign-gifts, these newcomers were not given God’s Word and thus could not come to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. God forbid that this should happen.

May the Church of Jesus Christ be always Word-based, Christ-centred that men may be brought to faith and make progress in their spiritual lives. Amen.