I Corinthians 14:26-40

Remember the big picture. Chapters 12, 13, and 14 form a whole unit. In chapter 12 the Holy Spirit taught us about the spiritual gifts God has given to the local church. In chapter 13 the Holy Spirit taught us about the supremacy of love, and how love far surpasses the temporary nature of the gifts of tongues, prophecy, and knowledge. Now in chapter 14 the Holy Spirit is laying down the law in an effort to get the church to stop abusing the gift of tongues. Earlier in this chapter we learned that tongues were a sign, and because of the refer-ence to Isaiah 28 we know tongues are a sign of judgment… and in particular a sign of judgment for unbelieving Jews.

1 Corinthians 14:21,22: In the law it is written: “With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; and yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,” says the Lord.