In the book of First Corinthians, Paul is greatly concerned with the workings of the community to which he is writing. Nearly the entire book is devoted to encouraging and explaining to the Corinthians how to live in this new community to which they have been called. The oft-used chapter thirteen, while certainly applicable to marriage, has a much richer meaning within the context of the Church community.
In chapter fourteen, Paul continues his thoughts from the previous chapter, now narrowing his focus down to the issue at hand for the community in
Apparently in Corinth, the Christians who had been blessed with the ability to speak in tongues, esteemed themselves, thinking themselves better than the rest of the congregation, it is in that context which Paul writes to the church saying:
“Pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy. For those who speak in a tongue do not speak to other people but to God; for nobody understands them, since they are speaking mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, those who prophesy speak to other people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. Those who speak in a tongue build up themselves, but those who prophesy build up the Church. Now I would like all of you to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. One who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the Church may be built up.” (1 Cor 14:1-5 NRSV)
While it seems that Paul is telling the Corinthians that people that prophesy are better than those that speak in tongues, the point of the text is not which spiritual gift is better or worse, but the usefulness of that gift to the community. Prophecy is greater, not in and of itself, but because it has the ability, unlike speaking in tongues, to enrich the community of believers. We have individually been given gifts, talents, and abilities; Are we ready to use them to strengthen and encourage the body of believers?
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