Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 14:3 (New Living Translation)

But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them.

Old Testament prophesying meant predicting the future. God told the prophets what was to happen, the prophets told the people, and it happened sometime in the future.

There is much discussion and disagreement about what “prophesying” means in the New Testament. This verse provides my simple-minded answer:

When a person says something that strengthens, encourages, and comforts others, that is prophesying.

Sorry, it doesn’t seem like much. It sure doesn’t seem as miraculous as predicting the future with certainty. Then again, it isn’t often that I am strengthened, encouraged, and comforted by what someone says. That is pretty darn miraculous.