Celebrating Too Early

In a major cycling race in 2017, Luka Pibernik celebrated too early and, as a result, lost his lead spot and his shot at victory. Before he finished the final lap, he slowed down and spread his hands out as if he had already won. Soon the main group of cyclists rushed by him, and by that time it was too late for him to regain his lead. Unfortunately, this phenomenon is so common in the athletic world that video compilations of disappointing early celebrations have been produced that last hours.

Paul was concerned that the believers in Corinth, who had received the ability to speak new foreign languages, would celebrate too early. Many of them seemed to be boasting as if the miracle they had received from the Holy Spirit was to be used for showing off. In his first letter, Paul tried to correct their confusion by explaining that the spiritual gift was intended for teaching people the gospel.

Some have misunderstood Paul’s admonition in one particular verse to mean that he was speaking of a mysterious heavenly language: “If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful” (1 Corinthians 14:14). The target audience in which the fruit should be produced is not the speaker. Instead, it is the listening church members for whom the fruitful lesson is intended. In other words, Paul is saying that if he does not speak to people who understand the foreign language he is using to communicate, they will not grow in their understanding.

This is made clear two verses later: “Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say ‘Amen’ at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?” (1 Corinthians 14:16).

Apply It:

Ask your friends to help you identify a talent you do not realize you have.

Dig Deeper:

1 Corinthians 14:6–9; 1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Timothy 2:16

Key Bible Texts

Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. (1 Corinthians 14:19 KJV)