Paul
the apostle told the church members in Corinth, “for
if I pray in an unknown
tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful”,
and in chapter fourteen and verse fifteen
of First Corinthians, Paul declared, “
I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding
also”,
where we read:
What
is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the
understanding also:
I will
sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
The
verse begins, “What
is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the
understanding also:”. Paul
began with the word, “what is it
then” or
“consequently or these things being so”? “I
will pray”
which refers to “Paul would supplicate, worship and offer prayers”
“with the spirit”
or “with his disposition or influence which fills and governs the
soul”, “and I will pray”
which means “and Paul would supplicate, worship and offer prayers”
“with the understanding”
or “alongside his mind which contains faculties of perceiving those
of feeling, judging and determining”
“also”
which means “in addition and even so”. Paul determined to
“pray”
both “with the spirit”
and “with the understanding”.
The
verse continues, “I
will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding
also.” Paul
added the words, “I will sing”
which means
“Paul would cause his voice to vibrate in song” “with
the spirit”
or “with his disposition or influence which fills and governs the
soul”, “and I will sing”
which means “Paul would cause his voice to vibrate in song” “with
the understanding”
or “with the faculties of perceiving those of feeling, judging and
determining” “also”
which means “in addition and even so”. Paul determined to “sing”
both with his “spirit”
and his “understanding”.
When
we consider these words from Paul, we notice that he employs both
“praying” and “singing” “with” the “spirit”
and “with” his “understanding”. Each are
components of Paul's spiritual walk with the Lord Jesus. Paul implies
that both were beneficial to him, and although he did not always
“understand” what he was “praying or singing”,
he used them both. Jesus Christ desires for the individual and the
church collectively to be edified by His “spiritual gifts”,
and “praying and singing” “with the spirit” and
“with understanding” are two ways both may be blessed.
Next
time Paul asks the church members, “when
thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupies the room
of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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