1Corinthians 14:19. “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.”
OTHERS ALSO. “In the church…”: A called-out group of people, who have left the world system (cosmos) and gathered to the name and Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, is very important to God. The church has a calling to further the work of the Lord in its own area. The church provides a place of safety for those who have thus been called out. It provides a place of fellowship with - and worship of - God. It may seem small in the eyes of men around, but the size doesn’t make it a church. It is the nature, character, and convictions of the church that make it so valuable to God. A scripturally gathered group of people that carries out the commands of God in His way is a power before God and to man.
“Five words…”: Five words can have a lot of meaning – “Ye must be born again,” “Christ died for the ungodly,” “Christ died for our sins” are all five-word phrases that bring a clear message from God to me. What five-word phrases can I give that would have meaning for other people besides the ones that God Himself gives in the Bible? How about: “You are important to God.” Maybe another phrase would be: “You can be saved now.” Do I really understand the meaning of these five-word phrases? In a way, I can give the sense of the meaning, but understanding goes beyond that. It means to me that I have made the meaning of the words my own by experience.
“That by my voice…”: It is a great responsibility to be called by God to speak for Him to the people. It requires my diligence to know first of all where I am speaking and to whom. I am to speak in the church. I am a part of that living organism. Then I must give understanding to the body of the true meaning and implications of those five words. God is willing to use my voice, however feeble, to make known His will and purpose of those five words.
“I might teach others also…”: Paul knew what he was talking about because he had the understanding that was necessary. He charged Timothy to “commit to faithful men” what he had learned from Paul. Then they were to be instructed to “teach others also.” It has finally come down through the generations of humanity to my generation. Then, in my generation, I am responsible for carrying on the teaching process that has been passed down. May I never multiply words that are unknown. May I never speak carelessly or without serious thought beforehand. May I not take anything said for granted as if everyone knows all God wants them to know? May I be willing to speak from my experience and understanding in words that are easily understood. May I always speak from my heart as well as my mind.
“O heavenly Father, who is willing to pass on to men the most serious and important message in the world. Please help me to avoid speaking the untruth. I want to be the Lord’s messenger in the Lord’s message. I feel the need to learn to be simple and precise with words, and I am not doing a very good job of speaking specifically. Mold these lips of mine around “five words with my understanding” every time I speak. Amen.”