Verse 20
Thinking that tongues-speaking demonstrates spirituality evidences immaturity.
"Children prefer what glitters and makes a show to what is much more valuable; and it was childish to prefer ecstatic utterance to other and far more useful gifts." [Note: Robertson and Plummer, p. 315.]
"Some people have the idea that speaking in a tongue is an evidence of spiritual maturity, but Paul taught that it is possible to exercise the gift in an unspiritual and immature manner." [Note: Wiersbe, 1:614.]
There is a sense in which it is good for Christians to be childlike, namely, in our innocence regarding evil. Still, in understanding, we need to be mature (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:1-2). The Corinthians were not innocent in their behavior any more than they were mature in their thinking.
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