I Corinthians 14:9, "So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air."

 This morning, our manner of communication one with another is as important as it has ever been. In our modern age with many venues of communication and outlets for information, there are many things that are confusing due to lack of information, misinformation, lack of knowledge about the material, or failure to process what is being delivered.

There are times when well-meaning people become confused and misunderstand the reality from lack of discernment or perception. However, many times, there are cases where the confusion does not come from lack of information, but it rather comes from intentional misinformation and deception. In many areas of conduct this can be common, and sadly, in some areas (like politics) it is becoming expected. The Lord's church, on the other hand, should be a place quite the opposite. Paul is describing the proper order of worship for the Corinthian church. He will conclude this portion of speaking by making the sweeping exhortation to do all things decently and in order. (I Corinthians 14:40) He, in our verse above, is in the midst of describing the pitfalls of lack of communication within the walls of Zion (such as speaking in an unknown tongue).

When someone uses a tongue that is not understood by the congregation (like an Englishman speaking to Spanish people), there has to be an interpretation of what is spoken for the edification of the body to abound. Whenever people claim that something was a blessing from God, they need to be able to discern and understand what has been brought forth. Otherwise, Paul said that such activity is as profitable as speaking to empty and open air. So in the midst of the discussion on communication, Paul makes the statement that words of easy understanding need to be spoken for the profiting of the church to abound.

The previous verse likens the ministers' speaking to the blowing of a trumpet. As a trumpet must give distinction of sounds, so must the gospel minister give a distinction of sounds for the church to understand the course that they are being exhorted unto. It would be a disaster on the field of battle if the bugler was supposed to sound "Charge" and instead sounded "Mess Call." The army would be looking for the commissary rather than attacking the advancing enemy. So, likewise, it is disastrous to the church when the minister sounds abroad unscriptural, unfounded precepts from the pulpit. Still, the minister needs to do more than sound forth the things which become sound doctrine. He needs to sound them forth in a manner that is easily understood by all (and most certainly in a charitable and fit manner).

Paul said in his second epistle to the Corinthians that since we have this hope, we need to use great plainness of speech. (II Corinthians 3:12) It is not profitable to speak great swelling words of man's vanity and the congregation miss being edified. The minister's intellectual status may rise in their minds, but the feeding of the flock is more important than the perception of a minister's abilities. Rather, we should seek His honour and glory and not commend ourselves. When we use great plainness of speech and speak words easily understood, the lambs will feed alongside the older sheep and rams. It is possible to speak in words that feed the older and the younger be left out. But, if we speak in words that the younger understand, all will understand what is being spoken. Therefore we must here state that the minister of the gospel needs to be the most plain-spoken individual that he can. Discreet? Yes! But there should be no question in the minds of those that know him what he is preaching and saying. He needs to use easily understood words that are quite plain. My dear, departed father once said, "Some folks always say they are misunderstood. They claim that no one knows what they are trying to say or why they are saying it. Let us be frank here. If someone is misunderstood on a few occasions, that is reason for compassion. But, if one is misunderstood all the time for years, the problem is probably with them, not everyone else."

If we, as ministers of the gospel, must keep redefining what we mean, we are, at best, not fulfilling a duty as a minister in being plain-spoken. We are, at worst, trying to veil and cover what we really mean in fear that most folks would reject it should they understand what we are really saying. Let us be found uttering simple speeches that speak to the hearts and souls of God's dear people in this world. May our profiting in His house be to His glory and commendation.

May we be prepared to stand against the wiles of the devil and cunning craftiness of men.  Finally, let all that know us (within and without) know exactly where we stand and what we mean. Again, as my father once said, "I would much rather people know exactly what I mean and where I stand and disagree with me than not know what I mean and wonder whether they agree with me or not."

In Hope,

Bro Philip