20260610 [새벽묵상] 지혜에 장성한 사람이 되라 Be Mature in Your Thinking (고전/1Cor 14:13~25)

14:13 그러므로 방언을 말하는 자는 통역하기를 기도할지니

14:14 내가 만일 방언으로 기도하면 나의 영이 기도하거니와 나의 마음은 열매를 맺지 못하리라

14:15 그러면 어떻게 할까 내가 영으로 기도하고 또 마음으로 기도하며 내가 영으로 찬송하고 또 마음으로 찬송하리라

14:16 그렇지 아니하면 네가 영으로 축복할 때에 알지 못하는 처지에 있는 자가 네가 무슨 말을 하는지 알지 못하고 네 감사에 어찌 아멘 하리요

14:17 너는 감사를 잘하였으나 그러나 다른 사람은 덕 세움을 받지 못하리라

13 For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. 16 Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? 17 You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.

14:18 내가 너희 모든 사람보다 방언을 더 말하므로 하나님께 감사하노라

14:19 그러나 교회에서 네가 남을 가르치기 위하여 깨달은 마음으로 다섯 마디 말을 하는 것이 일만 마디 방언으로 말하는 것보다 나으니라

18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

14:20 형제들아 지혜에는 아이가 되지 말고 악에는 어린 아이가 되라 지혜에는 장성한 사람이 되라

14:21 율법에 기록된 바 주께서 이르시되 내가 다른 방언을 말하는 자와 다른 입술로 이 백성에게 말할지라도 그들이 여전히 듣지 아니하리라 하였으니

20 Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 21 In the Law it is written:

“With other tongues

    and through the lips of foreigners

I will speak to this people,

    but even then they will not listen to me,

says the Lord.”

14:22 그러므로 방언은 믿는 자들을 위하지 아니하고 믿지 아니하는 자들을 위하는 표적이나 예언은 믿지 아니하는 자들을 위하지 않고 믿는 자들을 위함이니라

14:23 그러므로 온 교회가 함께 모여 다 방언으로 말하면 알지 못하는 자들이나 믿지 아니하는 자들이 들어와서 너희를 미쳤다 하지 아니하겠느냐

14:24 그러나 다 예언을 하면 믿지 아니하는 자들이나 알지 못하는 자들이 들어와서 모든 사람에게 책망을 들으며 모든 사람에게 판단을 받고

14:25 그 마음의 숨은 일이 드러나게 되므로 엎드리어 하나님께 경배하며 하나님이 참으로 너희 가운데 계신다 전파하리라

22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

            제가 신학대학원에서 설교학 수업시간에 배웠던 팁이 하나 있습니다. 그것은 예화를 잘 드는 것이었어요. 설교가 시작할 때, 주제와 잘 맞는 예화를 들어서 시작을 해야합니다. 뿐만 아니라 각 논지를 펼칠 때에도 그 논지에 맞는 예화를 들어서 설명을 해야한다고 배웠습니다. 당시에 저는 사실 그런 방식의 설교법이 잘 이해가 되지 않았습니다. 마치 설교자가 하나님의 말씀이 아니라 재미있는 예화들만 늘어놓는 이야기꾼 같이 느껴졌기 때문입니다. 그런데 지금 돌이켜 생각해보면 그것은 하나님의 말씀을 좀 더 알기 쉽게, 좀 더 다가가기 쉽게, 그래서 혹여나 오늘 교회에 처음 오신 분이 계시더라도 그 말씀을 통해 하나님이 누구신지 알 수 있도록 하는 것이 그 목적이었음을 깨닫습니다. 오늘 바울이 고린도교회에 전하는 말씀도 마찬가지 입니다. 성령의 은사. 그것이 방언이든, 가르침이든, 예언이든 우리는 이 은사들을 지혜롭게 사용하여야 합니다. 그래서 아직 교회는 나오지만 믿음의 결단을 내리지 못한 사람들, 또는 불신자들이 하나님이 어떤 분인지 알 수 있도록 그들이 이해할 수 있는 방법으로 다가갈 수 있어야 하는 것이지요. 그래서 그들이 하나님을 영접하는 놀라운 역사가 일어날 수 있도록 우리는 지혜로와야하는 것이지요. 오늘은 “지혜에 장성한 사람이 되라” 는 제목으로 말씀을 나누기 원합니다.

[Introduction: The Purpose of Clear Communication]

When I was in seminary, I learned a valuable tip in a homiletics (preaching) class: always use good illustrations. I was taught that a sermon should begin with an illustration that perfectly fits the theme, and that each main point should be supported and explained by an appropriate story.

To be honest, back then, I didn't fully understand or appreciate this method. It felt as though the preacher was becoming a mere storyteller, spinning entertaining yarns rather than delivering the raw Word of God. Looking back now, however, I realize the true purpose behind that advice. It was about making the Word of God easier to understand and more accessible—ensuring that even if someone stepped into the church for the very first time, they could grasp who God is through those messages.

The words the Apostle Paul addresses to the Corinthian church today carry the exact same heart. Spiritual gifts—whether tongues, teaching, or prophecy—must be used with great wisdom. We must approach those who attend church but haven't yet made a commitment of faith, as well as complete unbelievers, in a language they can actually comprehend. We need this wisdom so that they may encounter God and experience the amazing miracle of salvation. Today, I want to share a message titled: “Be Mature in Your Thinking.”

                  첫번째로 나누고 싶은 것은 통역의 중요성입니다. 본문은 “그러므로”라고 시작하고 있습니다. 어제의 말씀 12절에서 교회의 덕을 세우기 위하여 영적인 은사가 풍성하기를 구하라고 말하였던 것이 기억나실 것입니다. 바로 그렇기 때문에 13절의 말씀, “방언을 말하는 자는 통역하기를 기도할지니”라고 말씀하십니다. 자 여기까지 보면 오늘 말씀에서도 사도 바울은 비슷한 맥락의 말씀을 하시는 것 같습니다. 교회의 덕을 세우기 위해서 통역하기를 기도해라. 그런데 오늘은 그 결이 살짝 다릅니다. 먼저는 통역의 개인적인 필요에 대해서 말씀하십니다. 14절에서 그 예를 들고 있지요. 내가 만약에 방언으로 기도하면 나의 영이 기도하는 것이지요. 그렇다면 내가 생각하고 사고하는 나의 이성은 어떨까요? 나의 영이 방언으로 기도하고 있을 때 우리는 정확하게 내 입술이 무슨 말을 하고 있는지 이해하고 있나요? 그렇지 않다는 것이지요. 그래서 사도바울은 15절에서 그 해법을 이렇게 말합니다. 내가 방언으로 기도하고 찬송하면 또 내가 이해하는 말로 기도하고 찬송을 한다는 것입니다. 그렇게 해서 내가 나의 영과 이성을 모두 사용하여 기도와 찬송을 한다는 것이지요. 두번째는 알지 못하는 처지에 있는 자를 위해서 통역이 필요하다고 말하고 있습니다. 16절에서 등장하는 이 알지 못하는 처지에 있는 자란 대체 어떤 사람을 말하는 것일까요? 이 사람들은 기독교에 관심을 갖고는 있지만 아직 믿음의 결단을 내리지 못한 사람들입니다. 제가 16-17절을 좀 각색해서 예를 한번 들어 보겠습니다. 어떤 A집사님이 교회에 관심은 있지만 아직 신앙이 없는 친구B를 교회에 초청해서 함께 예배를 드리고 식사 교제를 하려고 해요. 그런데 오늘 식사 감사 기도를 C 집사님이 하시는 날인데 아니 글쎄 C집사님이 감사 기도를 방언으로 한다면 어떨까요? 그분은 물론 방언으로 감사기도를 하나님께 잘 드렸겠지만 오늘 처음 오신 B형제님은 아마 상당히 생각이 많으실 겁니다. 그쵸? 무슨 말을 하는지도 모르겠고 갑자기 교회가 무서워질 수도 있지요. 자 바로 이것이 우리가 지혜가 필요한 이유입니다. 어제까지는 교회의 덕을 세우기 위하여 은사를 사용해야 한다고 말하였다면 이제 우리는 아직 믿음이 연약한 자를 또한 돕기 위하여 이 은사들을 사용하여야 하는 것이지요. 그래서 제가 오늘 말씀은 어제의 말씀과는 또 살짝 결이 다르다고 말씀을 드린 것입니다.

[1. The Dual Necessity of Interpretation (v. 13-17)]

First, let us look at the absolute necessity of interpretation. Today's passage begins with the word “Therefore.” You may recall yesterday’s conclusion in verse 12, where Paul urged the believers to excel in gifts that build up the church. It is precisely because of this that he says in verse 13: “For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret.” Up to this point, Paul seems to be following the same line of reasoning: pray for interpretation so that the church can be built up. However, today’s text adds a slightly different layer.

• First, Paul speaks of the personal necessity of interpretation. He gives an example in verse 14: If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. When our spirit prays in tongues, do we logically comprehend exactly what our lips are uttering? No, we don't. That is why Paul offers the solution in verse 15: We must pray and sing with our spirit, but we must also pray and sing with our understanding (mind). In this way, we engage both our spirit and our intellect in worship.

• Second, interpretation is necessary for the sake of the "uninformed." Who are these people in "the position of the uninformed" mentioned in verse 16? They are seekers—people who are interested in Christianity but have not yet made a decision to believe.

Let me adapt verses 16 and 17 into a modern scenario to illustrate this:

Imagine Deacon A invites his non-Christian friend, B, to church for the first time. After the service, they sit down for lunch fellowship. It happens to be Deacon C's turn to say grace over the meal. But instead of a regular prayer, Deacon C starts praying loudly and passionately in tongues.

Now, Deacon C has certainly given thanks to God in the spirit. But what about friend B, who came to church for the very first time? He is going to be incredibly confused and probably terrified! He won't understand a single word, and the church might suddenly feel like a scary, cultish place.

This is exactly why we need spiritual wisdom. While yesterday’s focus was on using gifts to build up the corporate church, today Paul challenges us to use our gifts to care for and protect those who are weak in faith.

                  사도 바울은 말합니다. 18절 “내가 너희 모든 사람보다 방언을 더 말하므로 하나님께 감사하노라” 다시 한 번 말씀드리지만 바울은 방언을 폄하하는 것이 아닙니다. 19절, 그러나, 뭐라구요? “교회에서 내가 남을 가르치기 위하여.” 그렇습니다. 믿음이 연약한 자를 가르치고 그들을 세워주기 위해서는 깨달은 이성으로 다섯 마디 말을 하는 것이 일만 마디 방언보다 낫다는 것입니다. 왜 그렇습니까?  그 다섯 마디 말은 상대가 알아들을 수 있기 때문입니다. 그래서 말합니다. 20절입니다. 함께 읽겠습니다. “형제들아 지혜에는 아이가 되지 말고 악에는 어린 아이가 되라 지혜에는 장성한 사람이 되라” 여기서 말하는 지혜는 인간의 모든 지적 활동이 이루어지는 곳. 즉 우리의 사고 능력을 말합니다. 우리의 이성으로 생각해 보라는 것이지요. 우리에게는 다양한 은사들이 주어집니다. 그 은사들은 각각의 쓰임이 있습니다. 그렇다면 그 은사들을 무엇을 위해 사용할 것이냐는 것이지요. 여기 믿음이 연약한 자들을 세워 줄 수 있는 그런 헤아림과 지혜와 사고로 은사들을 사용하라는 것입니다. 어린아이처럼 자기 밖에 몰라서 자신을 위해 은사들을 남용하지말고 다른 사람을 배려하는 어른처럼 지혜롭게 사용하라는 것이지요. 23-24절의 말씀도 예를 들어 설명하고 있습니다. 불신자들과 아직 관심은 있지만 믿음이 연약한 이들을 배려하여 지혜롭게 은사를 사용하면 그들이 너희를 미쳤다하는 것이 아니라 하나님께 경배하며 하나님의 임재를 깨닫게 된다는 것입니다. 그렇기 때문에 우리는 지혜에 장성한 사람이 되어야 하는 것입니다.

[2. Grow Up and Think of Others (v. 18-25)]

Paul writes in verse 18: “I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.” Once again, Paul is not dismissing or looking down on the gift of tongues. However, look at verse 19: “But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.” Why? Because those five words can actually be understood by the person listening. They can instruct and build up the listener.

Therefore, he exhorts them in verse 20:

“Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.”

The word "thinking" here refers to the mind, the seat of human intellectual activity and reasoning. Paul is telling us to use our brains. God gives us various spiritual gifts, and each has its proper place. But we must use them with the mature consideration, wisdom, and discernment that seeks to build up the weak. Children are inherently self-centered; they only care about themselves and will abuse a gift for their own amusement. Mature adults, however, think of others and act with consideration.

Paul applies this with another vivid example in verses 23–24. If an unbeliever or a seeker walks into a church gathering where everyone is shouting in tongues, they will look at you and say, "You are out of your mind!" But if you use your gifts wisely—speaking intelligibly so they can understand—they will be convicted of their sin, fall down on their faces, and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!" This is why we must be mature in our thinking.

                  말씀을 맺습니다. 통역이 무엇입니까? 알아들을 수 없는 다른 나라의 말을 내가 아는 언어로 바꾸어주는 것입니다. 여러분 우리는 모두가 다 하늘나라의 통역사들입니다. 우리를 통하여 하나님의 사랑이 무엇인지, 하나님이 어떤 분인지 이 땅의 언어로 바꾸어 전해지게 되지요. 그렇다면 우리는 내가 편한 하늘 나라의 언어를 고수할 것이 아닌 것입니다. 좀 더 지혜롭게 또 이들이 알아듣기 쉽게 어떻게 하면 이들의 말로 하나님을 전할 수 있을지 고민해야겠습니다. 그래서 여러분 모두 이 지혜에 장성한 자 되시기를 주님의 이름으로 축원합니다. 

[Conclusion: We are Heavenly Translators]

What is the role of a translator? It is to take an incomprehensible foreign language and convert it into a language that the listener can understand.

My brothers and sisters, we are all called to be heavenly translators. Through our lives, our actions, and our words, the love of God and the reality of who He is must be translated into the language of this world. Therefore, we cannot stubbornly insist on speaking only our own comfortable "heavenly language" while ignoring the world around us. We must deeply contemplate, with mature wisdom, how to communicate God to those around us in a way they can easily understand.

I pray that every one of you will move past a self-centered faith, become mature in your thinking, and live as faithful translators of God’s grace to this world.

Let us pray.