1 Corinthians 14:25
and the secrets of his heart will be made known. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, "God is truly among you!"
and the secrets of his heart
The phrase "secrets of his heart" refers to the innermost thoughts and intentions that are hidden from others. In the Greek, the word for "secrets" is "κρυπτά" (krypta), which implies things that are concealed or hidden. This highlights the omniscience of God, who knows all things, even the deepest thoughts of a person. Historically, this understanding of God's all-knowing nature is consistent with the Jewish belief in God's intimate knowledge of human hearts, as seen in passages like Psalm 44:21, "Would not God have discovered it, since He knows the secrets of the heart?"

will be revealed
The Greek word for "revealed" is "φανερόω" (phaneroō), meaning to make visible or manifest. This suggests a divine action where God brings to light what is hidden. In the context of the early church, this revelation often occurred through the prophetic gift, which served to convict and convince unbelievers of God's presence. Theologically, this aligns with the belief that God's truth, when revealed, has the power to transform and convict individuals, leading them to repentance.

So he will fall facedown
The act of falling facedown is a physical expression of reverence and submission. In biblical times, this posture was common in worship and signified humility and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty. The Greek word "πίπτω" (piptō) for "fall" conveys a sudden and decisive action, indicating the profound impact of encountering God's truth. This act of worship is reminiscent of numerous biblical accounts where individuals respond to divine revelation with awe and humility, such as in Isaiah 6:5, where Isaiah responds to his vision of God by acknowledging his own unworthiness.

and worship God
"Worship" in Greek is "προσκυνέω" (proskyneō), which literally means to bow down or to prostrate oneself. This term conveys not only the physical act of worship but also an attitude of the heart that recognizes God's supreme authority and holiness. In the early church, worship was central to the community's life, reflecting a deep-seated belief in God's presence and power. This phrase underscores the transformative effect of God's revelation, leading individuals to genuine worship.

proclaiming, 'God is truly among you!'
The declaration "God is truly among you" is a powerful testament to the reality of God's presence within the church. The Greek word "ἀληθῶς" (alēthōs) for "truly" emphasizes the certainty and authenticity of this recognition. This proclamation serves as a witness to both believers and unbelievers of the living and active presence of God in the community. Historically, the early church was marked by signs and wonders that confirmed God's presence, as seen in Acts 2:43, where "everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles." This acknowledgment of God's presence is a call to the church to live in a manner that reflects His holiness and love, serving as a beacon of hope and truth in the world.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth regarding the use of spiritual gifts, particularly prophecy and tongues.

2. The Corinthian Church
A diverse and spiritually gifted congregation in Corinth, struggling with issues of order and edification in their worship services.

3. Prophecy
A spiritual gift emphasized by Paul as a means of edification, encouragement, and consolation for the church.

4. Unbeliever or Inquirer
The individual whose heart is revealed and who is convicted by the prophetic message, leading to worship.

5. Worship Service
The context in which the spiritual gifts are exercised, aiming for the edification of the church and the conviction of unbelievers.
Teaching Points
The Power of Prophecy
Prophecy serves as a powerful tool for revealing the truth and convicting the heart. It is essential for believers to seek and exercise this gift for the edification of the church.

The Role of Conviction
The revelation of the heart's secrets leads to conviction and worship. Believers should create an environment where the Holy Spirit can work through the gifts to convict and transform lives.

Order in Worship
Paul emphasizes the importance of order in worship services. Spiritual gifts should be exercised in a manner that is understandable and edifying to all, including unbelievers.

God's Presence Among Us
The ultimate goal of spiritual gifts is to demonstrate that God is truly among His people. Our worship and conduct should reflect His presence and draw others to Him.

Authentic Worship
True worship arises from a heart that has been laid bare before God. Believers should strive for authenticity in their worship, allowing God to reveal and heal the hidden areas of their hearts.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the exercise of prophecy in the church reveal the secrets of the heart, and why is this important for both believers and unbelievers?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our worship services are orderly and edifying, as Paul instructs in 1 Corinthians 14?

3. How can we cultivate an environment in our church where the presence of God is evident and acknowledged by all, including unbelievers?

4. Reflect on a time when you experienced conviction through a message or prophecy. How did it lead you to a deeper worship of God?

5. How can we encourage the use of spiritual gifts in our church to ensure that they are used for the edification of the body and the glory of God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Hebrews 4:12
This verse speaks about the Word of God being living and active, able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart, similar to how prophecy reveals the secrets of the heart.

Acts 2:37
After Peter's sermon, the listeners were "cut to the heart," showing a similar conviction and revelation of the heart's secrets leading to repentance.

Isaiah 45:14
This passage speaks of people acknowledging that God is truly among His people, paralleling the unbeliever's proclamation in 1 Corinthians 14:25.
Conversion Prepared forE. Hurndall 1 Corinthians 14:23-25
How a Spectator Would Regard the TonguesC. Lipscomb 1 Corinthians 14:23-32
Conversion Prepared ForE. Hurndall, M. A.1 Corinthians 14:24-25
Conviction of SinG. Burder.1 Corinthians 14:24-25
Faithful PreachingR. Tuck, B. A.1 Corinthians 14:24-25
Prophesying in the Primitive ChurchJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 14:24-25
The Awakening of the SinnerJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 14:24-25
The Conviction of the UnbelieverJ.R. Thomson 1 Corinthians 14:24, 25
The Nature of Spiritual Gifts, and Some DirectionsF. W. Robertson, M. A.1 Corinthians 14:24-25
The Secrets of the HeartW. T. Bull, B. A.1 Corinthians 14:24-25
People
Corinthians, Paul
Places
Corinth
Topics
Amongst, Bare, Bow, Certainly, Clear, Declare, Declaring, Disclosed, Evils, Exclaiming, Face, Fall, Fallen, Falling, Heart, Hidden, Homage, Indeed, Laid, Manifest, Manifested, Really, Report, Reporting, Result, Revealed, Saying, Secrets, Thus, Truly, Truth, Worship
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Corinthians 14:25

     1110   God, present everywhere
     5016   heart, fallen and redeemed
     6163   faults

1 Corinthians 14:1-33

     1444   revelation, NT
     5110   Paul, teaching of

1 Corinthians 14:22-25

     6257   unbelievers

1 Corinthians 14:24-25

     1305   God, activity of
     3296   Holy Spirit, in the world
     7751   persuasion

1 Corinthians 14:24-33

     3275   Holy Spirit, in the church

Library
1 Corinthians xiv, 20
Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit, in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. It would be going a great deal too far to say, that they who fulfilled the latter part of this command, were sure also to fulfil the former; that they who were men in understanding, were, therefore, likely to be children in malice. But the converse holds good, with remarkable certainty, that they who are children in understanding, are proportionally apt to be men in malice: that is, in proportion
Thomas Arnold—The Christian Life

Gunsaulus -- the Bible Vs. Infidelity
Frank Wakely Gunsaulus was born at Chesterville, Ohio, in 1856. He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1875. For some years he was pastor of Plymouth Church, Chicago, and since 1899 pastor of Central Church, Chicago. He is also president of the Armour Institute of Technology. He is a fascinating speaker, having a clear, resonant voice, and a dignified presence. His mind is a storehouse of the best literature, and his English style is noteworthy for its purity and richness. He is the author
Various—The World's Great Sermons, Volume 10

Here is the Sum of My Examination Before Justice Keelin, Justice Chester, Justice Blundale, Justice Beecher, Justice Snagg, Etc.
After I had lain in prison above seven weeks, the quarter-sessions were to be kept in Bedford, for the county thereof, unto which I was to be brought; and when my jailor had set me before those justices, there was a bill of indictment preferred against me. The extent thereof was as followeth: That John Bunyan, of the town of Bedford, labourer, being a person of such and such conditions, he hath (since such a time) devilishly and perniciously abstained from coming to church to hear Divine service,
John Bunyan—Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners

The Substance of Some Discourse had Between the Clerk of the Peace and Myself; when He came to Admonish Me, According to the Tenor of that Law, by which I was in Prison.
When I had lain in prison other twelve weeks, and now not knowing what they intended to do with me, upon the third of April 1661, comes Mr Cobb unto me (as he told me), being sent by the justices to admonish me; and demand of me submittance to the church of England, etc. The extent of our discourse was as followeth. Cobb. When he was come into the house he sent for me out of my chamber; who, when I was come unto him, he said, Neighbour Bunyan, how do you do? Bun. I thank you, Sir, said I, very
John Bunyan—Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners

Things to be Meditated on as Thou Goest to the Church.
1. That thou art going to the court of the Lord, and to speak with the great God by prayer; and to hear his majesty speak unto thee by his word; and to receive his blessing on thy soul, and thy honest labour, in the six days past. 2. Say with thyself by the way--"As the hart brayeth for the rivers of water, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, even for the living God: When shall I come and appear before the presence of God? For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Miracle of Tongues.
"If any man speak in an (unknown) tongue, . . . let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him speak to himself, and to God."-- 1 Cor. xiv. 27, 28. The third sign following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit consisted in extraordinary sounds that proceeded from the lips of the apostles--sounds foreign to the Aramaic tongue, never before heard from their lips. These sounds affected the multitude in different ways: some called them babblings of inebriated men; others heard in them the great
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Second Wall.
The second wall is even more tottering and weak: that they alone pretend to be considered masters of the Scriptures; although they learn nothing of them all their life, they assume authority, and juggle before us with impudent words, saying that the Pope cannot err in matters of faith, whether he be evil or good; albeit they cannot prove it by a single letter. That is why the canon law contains so many heretical and unchristian, nay, unnatural laws; but of these we need not speak now. For whereas
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

Luther's First Preface.
To the "Geystliche Gsangbuechlin, Erstlich zu Wittenberg, und volgend durch Peter schoeffern getruckt, im jar m. d. xxv. Autore Ioanne Walthero." That it is good, and pleasing to God, for us to sing spiritual songs is, I think, a truth whereof no Christian can be ignorant; since not only the example of the prophets and kings of the Old Testament (who praised God with singing and music, poesy and all kind of stringed instruments) but also the like practice of all Christendom from the beginning,
Leonard Woolsey Bacon—The Hymns of Martin Luther

Women are not Permitted to Speak at the Time of the Divine Liturgy...
Women are not permitted to speak at the time of the Divine Liturgy; but, according to the word of Paul the Apostle, "let them be silent. For it is not permitted to them to speak, but to be in subjection, as the law also saith. But if they wish to learn anything let them ask their own husbands at home." Notes. Ancient Epitome of Canon LXX. Women are not permitted to speak in church. "Let your women keep silence in the churches; for it is not permitted unto them to speak," is the passage referred
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils

Eighteenth Day for Peace
WHAT TO PRAY.--For Peace "I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplication be made for kings and all that are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and gravity. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour."--1 TIM. ii"He maketh wars to cease to the end of the earth."--PS. xlvi. 9. What a terrible sight!--the military armaments in which the nations find their pride. What a terrible thought!--the evil passions that may at any moment bring
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

Rules to be Observed in Singing of Psalms.
1. Beware of singing divine psalms for an ordinary recreation, as do men of impure spirits, who sing holy psalms intermingled with profane ballads: They are God's word: take them not in thy mouth in vain. 2. Remember to sing David's psalms with David's spirit (Matt. xxii. 43.) 3. Practise St. Paul's rule--"I will sing with the spirit, but I will sing with the understanding also." (1 Cor. xiv. 15.) 4. As you sing uncover your heads (1 Cor. xi. 4), and behave yourselves in comely reverence as in the
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Of Deeper Matters, and God's Hidden Judgments which are not to be Inquired Into
"My Son, beware thou dispute not of high matters and of the hidden judgments of God; why this man is thus left, and that man is taken into so great favour; why also this man is so greatly afflicted, and that so highly exalted. These things pass all man's power of judging, neither may any reasoning or disputation have power to search out the divine judgments. When therefore the enemy suggesteth these things to thee, or when any curious people ask such questions, answer with that word of the Prophet,
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

From his Entrance on the Ministry in 1815, to his Commission to Reside in Germany in 1820
1815.--After the long season of depression through which John Yeardley passed, as described in the last chapter, the new year of 1815 dawned with brightness upon his mind. He now at length saw his spiritual bonds loosed; and the extracts which follow describe his first offerings in the ministry in a simple and affecting manner. 1 mo. 5.--The subject of the prophet's going down to the potter's house opened so clearly on my mind in meeting this morning that I thought I could almost have publicly
John Yeardley—Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel

The Preacher as a Christian.
In the last lecture I spoke of St. Paul as a Man, showing how remarkable were his endowments and acquirements, and how these told in his apostolic career. But it was not through these that he was what he was. Great as were the gifts bestowed on him by nature and cultivated by education, they were utterly inadequate to produce a character and a career like his. It was what Christianity added to these that made him St. Paul. It is right enough that we should now recognise the importance of his natural
James Stalker—The Preacher and His Models

Fifteenth Day. The Holy Spirit.
But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believed on Him were to receive: for the Holy Spirit was not yet: because Jesus was not yet glorified.'--John vii. 39. 'The Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things.'--John xiv. 26. 'God chose you to salvation in sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth.'--2 Thess. ii. 13. (See 1 Pet. i. 2.) It has sometimes been said, that while the Holiness of God stands out more prominently
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Ten Reasons Demonstrating the Commandment of the Sabbath to be Moral.
1. Because all the reasons of this commandment are moral and perpetual; and God has bound us to the obedience of this commandment with more forcible reasons than to any of the rest--First, because he foresaw that irreligious men would either more carelessly neglect, or more boldly break this commandment than any other; secondly, because that in the practice of this commandment the keeping of all the other consists; which makes God so often complain that all his worship is neglected or overthrown,
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Spiritual Gifts.
"But desire earnestly the greater gifts. And a still more excellent way show I unto you." --1 Cor. xii. 31 (R.V.). The charismata or spiritual gifts are the divinely ordained means and powers whereby the King enables His Church to perform its task on the earth. The Church has a calling in the world. It is being violently attacked not only by the powers of this world, but much more by the invisible powers of Satan. No rest is allowed. Denying that Christ has conquered, Satan believes that the time
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Meditations to Stir us up to Morning Prayer.
1. If, when thou art about to pray, Satan shall suggest that thy prayers are too long, and that therefore it were better either to omit prayers, or else to cut them shorter, meditate that prayer is thy spiritual sacrifice, wherewith God is well pleased (Heb. xiii. 15, 16;) and therefore it is so displeasing to the devil, and so irksome to the flesh. Bend therefore thy affections (will they, nill they) to so holy an exercise; assuring thyself, that it doth by so much the more please God, by how much
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

That the Unskilful Venture not to Approach an Office of Authority.
No one presumes to teach an art till he has first, with intent meditation, learnt it. What rashness is it, then, for the unskilful to assume pastoral authority, since the government of souls is the art of arts! For who can be ignorant that the sores of the thoughts of men are more occult than the sores of the bowels? And yet how often do men who have no knowledge whatever of spiritual precepts fearlessly profess themselves physicians of the heart, though those who are ignorant of the effect of
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The Holy Spirit Guiding the Believer into a Life as a Son.
The Apostle Paul writes in Rom. viii. 14, R. V., "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God." In this passage we see the Holy Spirit taking the conduct of the believer's life. A true Christian life is a personally conducted life, conducted at every turn by a Divine Person. It is the believer's privilege to be absolutely set free from all care and worry and anxiety as to the decisions which we must make at any turn of life. The Holy Spirit undertakes all that responsibility
R. A. Torrey—The Person and Work of The Holy Spirit

Peace
Grace unto you and peace be multiplied. I Pet 1:1. Having spoken of the first fruit of sanctification, assurance, I proceed to the second, viz., Peace, Peace be multiplied:' What are the several species or kinds of Peace? Peace, in Scripture, is compared to a river which parts itself into two silver streams. Isa 66:12. I. There is an external peace, and that is, (1.) (Economical, or peace in a family. (2.) Political, or peace in the state. Peace is the nurse of plenty. He maketh peace in thy borders,
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Necessity of Regeneration, Argued from the Immutable Constitution of God.
John III. 3. John III. 3. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. WHILE the ministers of Christ are discoursing of such a subject, as I have before me in the course of these Lectures, and particularly in this branch of them which I am now entering upon, we may surely, with the utmost reason, address our hearers in those words of Moses to Israel, in the conclusion of his dying discourse: Set your hearts unto all
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

The Christian Prayer
Scripture references: Matthew 6:5-15; Luke 11:1-13; John 17; Matthew 26:41; Mark 11:24,25; Luke 6:12,28; 9:29; 1 Thessalonians 5:17,25; 1 Corinthians 14:13,15; Psalm 19:14; 50:15, Matthew 7:7; 1 Timothy 2:1; Ephesians 3:20,21; John 16:23; 14:14; James 5:16. THE PROVINCE OF PRAYER Definition.--Prayer is the communion of man with God. It is not first of all the means of getting something from God, but the realization of Him in the soul. "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

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