What do you do with 1 Corinthians 14:39?

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What’s Your Question? for July 15, 2009

The verse says, “Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.” The chapter is regulating miraculous gifts while they existed. Prophesying was greater than tongues (verses 1-5), and was never by the will of man (2 Pet. 1:20,21). Paul said “prophecies would fail” and “tongues will cease” (1 Cor. 13:8). Jesus warned about false prophets (Mt. 7:15), and John said “many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 Jn. 4:1). How do we determine whether a professed prophet is true or false? Since Scripture completely furnishes us to every good work (2 Tim. 3:16,17), if anyone teaches differently from what is revealed in Scripture, “let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:6-9). Those who claim tongues and prophesy do not believe what was confirmed through the apostles (Mark 16:15-20).