Interpretation for the Common Good

 DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

INTERPRETATION FOR THE COMMON GOOD

1 Cor 12:7-11

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.   11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

NIV

Following the gift of tongues is the gift of interpretation. They are hand and glove, in that we do not see the one without the other. Although as with the day the Spirit came upon men with his power and they poured out into the streets of Jerusalem, they were speaking languages not their own and that they did not know. However, no interpretation was needed as they were speaking the many different languages of the God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven who had come to Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost. These foreign-speaking Jews heard their native tongue and understood the voices of the disciples. But we are passed that and those churches that believe the Spirit is still alive and actively manifesting all His gifts and experience this gift of tongues are called Pentecostals. Here is where when the gift of tongues is manifested and then manifests His gift of interpretation so the common good will hear the words spoken in some unknown language that are praising and glorifying God. Paul will explain later that the gift of tongues is man talking to God and prophecy is God talking to man. Therefore, it is right to interpret what is said in tongues as what the speaking said to God, which would always be about praise and worship. Once again, we must know that everything the Spirit does with His gifts in the church is for the common good. Whenever God is lifted up among the people, good is happening. We do think it is interesting that this gift could be falsified by men. When the gift of tongues is manifested in a church gathering, someone might just speak some words of praise thus lifting themselves up as being given the gift of interpretation. The problem is that would not be what the person who spoke in tongues said. It would appear the correct way, as the Spirit moves, for interpretation to occur is when tongues are spoken, a foreign language, not learned, the Spirit gives someone the gift to hear and understand that language spoken and thus be able to give the proper interpretation. Again, it would be good for us to know the work of the Spirit and to submit to His working in our lives and in our church, however, the Spirit decides how and when to exhibit His gifts within us so that there is good among the church, known as the common good.