Mount Ranier in the background
Snow capped peaks in the Olympic Mountains
Sea Shore on West Coast of Vancouver Island
Olympic Mountains at Sunset
Deer by small lake in Olympic Mountains
Small alpine lake in the Olympic Mountains
Near the small town of Ucluelet, British Columbia, Canada
Olympic Mountains with fresh snow
Olympic Mountains in the early summer
Shoreline near Ucluelet, British Columbia, Canada
Snow capped peaks in the Olympic Mountains

Prophesying in the New Testament assembly

But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
1 Corinthians 14:3 (KJV)

by
Ted J McDonald

 

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Edification is for building up the Mind to know intellectually the Truth
Exhortation is for convicting the Conscience to live morally in what is ethically Good
Comfort is for encouraging the Heart to rest in God’s Love
Street in Old Jerusalem
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When I think of 1 Corinthians 14 verse 3, I think this verse is a good standard for ministry to the saints of God.

  •  Does the speaker’s message build up (edify) the mind in the truth of God’s word?
  •  Does it exhort the listener’s conscience to avoid evil and live in a manner that is morally commentable?
  •  Do the words comfort believers with God’s love and care as they pass through this fallen and sinful world? Does the talk reassure a saint who may be experiencing pain, tragedy, loss, and grief?

Also, it would seem that one who prophesies in the assembly should present a balanced message that includes all three aspects of prophesying: edification, exhortation, and comfort.

Also, the order seems significant.

  •  Firstly, the truth is foundational and provides the intellectual justification for living a morally righteous life and the knowledge that, "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 (KJV).
  •  Secondly, if we live a morally degraded life, we cannot expect to enjoy the love of God. Hence, we need to be admonished to turn from our evil behavior to enjoy truly God's love.
  •  Thirdly, knowing the truth and living a godly life does not mean that we will have a life free from all sorrow, pain, or disappointment. “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” 2 Timothy 3:12 (NIV). So, during our journey homeward, we need to be especially comforted by God's strengthening promises and heartening love. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:35
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