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The First Epistle of Paul The Apostle To The
Corinthians
See Explanatory


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Chapter Fourteen


      Part VII. (Continued.)
        Prophecy Is The Greatest Of These Gifts.

1 Corinthians 14:1-22; KJB

1 * (1) Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather ( 1a ) that ye may prophesy. Listen to this chapter
2 For he that speaketh in (i) an unknown ( 2a ) tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
3 But he that prophesieth (3ghs) speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue ( 2a ) edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
5 I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. (5ghs)
6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an ( 2a ) unknown tongue (5ghs) pray that he may interpret. (tpf6)
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue ( 2a ), my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. ( 2a )
20 Brethren, be not (c) children ( 3a ) in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.




        The Order Of The Ministry
        Of Gifts In The Local Church.

1 Corinthians 14:23-40; KJB

23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29 * Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under (m)obedience ( 4a ) as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.




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Scofield Referenced Notes






Scofield Notes

•  Key




14:1  Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

rather

The subject is still the pneumatika. Chapter 12, described the gifts and the Body; Chapter 13. the love which alone gives ministry of gift any value; Chapter 14. regulates the ministry of gift in the primitive, apostolic assembly of saints.

(1) The important gift is that of prophecy (1 Corinthians 1:1)). The N.T. prophet was not merely a preacher, but an inspired preacher, through whom, until the N.T. was written, new revelations suited to the new dispensation were given 1 Corinthians 14:29,30.

(2) Tongues and the sign gifts are to cease, and meantime must be used with restraint, and only if an interpreter be present 1 Corinthians 14:1-19,27,28.

(3) In the primitive church there was liberty for the ministry of all the gifts which might be present, but for prophecy more especially 1 Corinthians 14:23-26,31,39.

(4) In such meetings, when "the whole church" came together "in one place," women were required to keep silence 1 Corinthians 14:34,35; 11:3-16; 1 Timothy 2:11-14.

(5) These injunctions are declared to be "the commandments of the Lord" 1 Corinthians 14:36,37.





14:2  For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

an unknown

Or, a tongue; and so in 1Co 14: 4, 13, 14, 19, 27.





14:20  Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

be not children

(Greek - adokimos [a)do/kimov] , youths).

be ye children

babies.





14:34  Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

obedience

Cf. Genesis 3:16.





1224_1; 1 Corinthians 14:1, desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy
Ref. Acts 2:4; Were all filled with the Holy Ghost

    Prophecy The Key Spiritual Gift

      Simply put: The gift of prophecy leads others to Christ the Redeemer.

      Here, the subject is still the pneumatika. Chapter 12. described the gifts and the Body; Chapter 13. the love which alone gives ministry of gift any value; Chapter 14. regulates the ministry of gift in the primitive, apostolic assembly of saints.

    A summary:

      (1) The important gift is that of prophecy (verse 1). The New Testament prophet was not merely a preacher, but an inspired preacher, through whom, until the New Testament was written, new revelations suited to the new dispensation were given (1 Corinthians 14:29, 30).

      (2) Tongues and the sign gifts are to cease, and meantime must be used with restraint, and only if an interpreter be present (verses 1-19, 27, 28).

      (3) In the primitive church there was liberty for the ministry of all the gifts which might be present, but for prophecy more especially (verses 23-26, 31, 39). (4) In such meetings, when "the whole church" came together "in one place," women were required to keep silence (verses 34, 35; Cf. 1 Corinthians 11:3-16; 1 Timothy 2:11-14).

      (5) These injunctions are declared to be "the commandments of the Lord" (verses 36, 37).






1224_h; 1 Corinthians 14:1, Follow after charity

    Love.







1224_i; 1 Corinthians 14:2, For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue ( 2a ) speaketh not unot men





1224_j; 1 Corinthians 14:2b, for no man understandeth him

    Greek word: heareth.







1224_k; 1 Corinthians 14:5, that the church may receive edifying




1224_l; 1 Corinthians 14:10, it may be so many kinds of voices in the world

    i.e., earth.







1224_m; 1 Corinthians 14:12, that ye may excell to edifying of the church

    Editor's Note: In all my ministry to the churches it never led to edification of the church when someone in the midst of the congregation professed to have the gift of tongues. It was always divisive and the individual(s) seemed only to try and edify themselves. It was as though they wished to place themselves in a higher stead than their peers. Much as Moses was equaled by the magicians in Egypt and therefore his miracles diminished, so happens in the church. Satan can give the gift of confusion as well as the Holy Spirit (in this world).

    ~ bob c






1224_n; 1 Corinthians 14:15, and I will pray with understanding.

    As in the previous note, most often the outbreak of tongues in the midst of a church service occurred, in my experience, in the middle of a public prayer within the service. The meaning of the prayer would immediately be nullified and all attention would be as to who, what and why, of the disturbance. The spirt of the service would then take some time before it returned to normal. ~ bob c





1225_a; 1 Corinthians 14:15b, I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also

    Interruption of worship would also become disturbed when individuals would "raise up holy hands" during the singing of a Hymn or a special musical presentation. These would forge themselves into the service by lifting up their arms and hands high in the air, and if the one doing so felt they were not conspicuous enough they would seem to lean out into the isle of the sanctuary so as to be quite sure everyone would see the spectacle. This writer feels that verse 15 goes a long way to forego the necessity of such contrary actions. Why, you may ask, would one be so outspoken about such? Nothing was ever so divisive as these actions by a very small number of people – but their actions would affect all. ~ bob c





1225_b; 1 Corinthians 14:16, when thou shalt bless with the spirit how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?




1225_c; 1 Corinthians 14:20, be not children in understanding

    Greek word: paidon, youths.







1225_d; 1 Corinthians 14:20b, howbeit in malice be ye children

    babes.







1225_e; 1 Corinthians 14:21, In the law it is written, With men of other tongues




1225_f; 1 Corinthians 14:22, tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe




1225_g; 1 Corinthians 14:23, will they not say that ye are mad?




1225_h; 1 Corinthians 14:25, falling down on his face he will worship God




1225_i; 1 Corinthians 14:26, Let all things be done unto edifying




1225_j; 1 Corinthians 14:27, and that by course; and let one interpret

    Or, in turn.







1225_k; 1 Corinthians 14:29, Let the prophets speak two or three




1225_l; 1 Corinthians 14:32, spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets




1225_m; 1 Corinthians 14:34, be under obedience, as also sayith the law




1225_n; 1 Corinthians 14:35, let them ask their husbands at home

    their own husbands.







1225_o; 1 Corinthians 14:35b, for it is a shame for women to speak in the church




1225_p; 1 Corinthians 14:36, What? came the word of God out from you




1225_q; 1 Corinthians 14:37, If any man think himself to be a prophet




1225_r; 1 Corinthians 14:37b, things that I write unto you are the commandments




•  Key








Copyright Statement
These files are considered public domain and are a derivative of an electronic edition that is available in the Online Bible Software Library.

Bibliography Information
Scofield, C. I. "Scofield Reference Notes on 1 Corinthians 14". "Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)". <http://www.studylight.org/com/srn/view.cgi?book=1co&chapter=014>. 1917.  



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- Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Commentary -





- Jamieson, Fausset, Brown -

•  Key

CHAPTER 14

1 Corinthians 14:1-25.

    • SUPERIORITY OF PROPHECY OVER TONGUES.



 â€¢ JFB Top  AC
Verse 1. Follow after charity--as your first and chief aim, seeing that it is "the greatest" (1Co 13:13).
      and desire--Translate, "Yet (as a secondary aim) desire zealously (see on 1Co 12:31) spiritual gifts."
      but rather--"but chiefly that ye may prophesy" (speak and exhort under inspiration) (Pr 29:18; Ac 13:1; 1Th 5:20), whether as to future events, that is, strict prophecy, or explaining obscure parts of Scripture, especially the prophetical Scriptures or illustrating and setting forth questions of Christian doctrine and practice. Our modern preaching is the successor of prophecy, but without the inspiration. Desire zealously this (prophecy) more than any other spiritual gift; or in preference to "tongues" (1Co 14:2, &c.) [BENGEL].

     

 â€¢ JFB Top  AC
Verse 2. speaketh . . . unto God--who alone understands all languages.
      no man understandeth--generally speaking; the few who have the gift of interpreting tongues are the exception.
      in the spirit--as opposed to "the understanding" (1Co 14:14).
      mysteries--unintelligible to the hearers, exciting their wonder, rather than instructing them. Corinth, being a mart resorted to by merchants from Asia, Africa, and Europe, would give scope amidst its mixed population for the exercise of the gift of tongues; but its legitimate use was in an audience understanding the tongue of the speaker, not, as the Corinthians abused it, in mere display.

     

 â€¢ JFB Top  AC
Verse 3. But--on the other hand.
      edification--of which the two principal species given are "exhortation" to remove sluggishness, "comfort" or consolation to remove sadness [BENGEL]. Omit "to."

     

 â€¢ JFB Top  AC
Verse 4. edifieth himself--as he understands the meaning of what the particular "tongue" expresses; but "the church," that is, the congregation, does not.

     

 â€¢ JFB Top  AC
Verse 5. Translate, "Now I wish you all to speak with tongues (so far am I from thus speaking through having any objection to tongues), but rather IN ORDER THAT (as my ulterior and higher wish for you) ye should prophesy." Tongues must therefore mean languages, not ecstatic, unintelligible rhapsodie (as NEANDER fancied): for Paul could never "wish" for the latter in their behalf.
      greater--because more useful.
      except he interpret--the unknown tongue which he speaks, "that the Church may receive edifying (building up)."

     

 â€¢ JFB Top  AC
Verse 6. Translate, "But now"; seeing there is no edification without interpretation.
      revelation . . . prophesying--corresponding one to the other; "revelation" being the supernatural unveiling of divine truths to man, "prophesying" the enunciation to men of such revelations. So "knowledge" corresponds to "doctrine," which is the gift of teaching to others our knowledge. As the former pair refers to specially revealed mysteries, so the latter pair refers to the general obvious truths of salvation, brought from the common storehouse of believers.

     

 â€¢ JFB Top  AC
Verse 7. Translate, "And things without life-giving sound, whether pipe or harp, YET (notwithstanding their giving sound) if they give not a distinction in the tones (that is, notes) how?" &c.
      what is piped or harped--that is, what tune is played on the pipe or harp.

     

 â€¢ JFB Top  AC
Verse 8. Translate, "For if also," an additional step in the argument.
      uncertain sound--having no definite meaning: whereas it ought to be so marked that one succession of notes on the trumpet should summon the soldiers to attack; another, to retreat; another, to some other evolution.

     

 â€¢ JFB Top  AC
Verse 9. So . . . ye--who have life; as opposed to "things without life" (1Co 14:7).
      by the tongue--the language which ye speak in.
      ye shall speak--Ye will be speaking into the air, that is, in vain (1Co 9:26).

     

 â€¢ JFB Top  AC
Verse 10. it may be--that is, perhaps, speaking by conjecture. "It may chance" (1Co 15:37).
      so many--as may be enumerated by investigators of such matters. Compare "so much," used generally for a definite number left undefined (Ac 5:8; also 2Sa 12:8).
      kinds of voices--kinds of articulate speech.
      without signification--without articulate voice (that is, distinct meaning). None is without its own voice, or mode of speech, distinct from the rest.

     

 â€¢ JFB Top  AC
Verse 11. Therefore--seeing that none is without meaning.
      a barbarian--a foreigner (Ac 28:2). Not in the depreciatory sense as the term is now used, but one speaking a foreign language.

     

 â€¢ JFB Top  AC
Verse 12. zealous--emulously desirous.
      spiritual gifts--literally, "spirits"; that is, emanations from the one Spirit.
      seek that ye may excel to--Translate, "Seek them, that ye may abound in them to the edifying," &c.

     

 â€¢ JFB Top  AC
Verse 13. Explain, "Let him who speaketh with a tongue [unknown] in his prayer (or, when praying) strive that he may interpret" [ALFORD]. This explanation of "pray" is needed by its logical connection with "prayer in an unknown tongue" (1Co 14:14). Though his words be unintelligible to his hearers, let him in them pray that he may obtain the gift of interpreting, which will make them "edifying" to "the church" (1Co 14:12).

     

 â€¢ JFB Top  AC
Verse 14. spirit--my higher being, the passive object of the Holy Spirit's operations, and the instrument of prayer in the unknown tongue, distinguished from the "understanding," the active instrument of thought and reasoning; which in this case must be "unfruitful" in edifying others, since the vehicle of expression is unintelligible to them. On the distinction of soul or mind and spirit, see Eph 4:23; Heb 4:12.

     

 â€¢ JFB Top  AC
Verse 15. What is it then?--What is my determination thereupon?
      and--rather as Greek, "but"; I will not only pray with my spirit, which (1Co 14:14) might leave the understanding unedified, BUT with the understanding also [ALFORD and ELLICOTT].
      pray with the understanding also--and, by inference, I will keep silence altogether if I cannot pray with the understanding (so as to make myself understood by others). A prescient warning, mutatis mutandis, against the Roman and Greek practice of keeping liturgies in dead languages, which long since have become unintelligible to the masses; though their forefathers spoke them at a time when those liturgies were framed for general use.

     

 â€¢ JFB Top  AC
Verse 16. Else . . . thou--He changes from the first person, as he had just expressed his own resolution, "I will pray with the understanding," whatever "thou" doest.
      bless--the highest kind of prayer.
      occupieth the room of the unlearned--one who, whatever other gifts he may possess, yet, as wanting the gift of interpretation, is reduced by the speaking in an unknown tongue to the position of one unlearned, or "a private person."
      say Amen--Prayer is not a vicarious duty done by others for us; as in Rome's liturgies and masses. We must join with the leader of the prayers and praises of the congregation, and say aloud our responsive "Amen" in assent, as was the usage of the Jewish (De 27:15-26; Ne 8:6) and Christian primitive churches [JUSTIN MARTYR, Apology, 2. 97].

     

 â€¢ JFB Top  AC
Verse 17. givest thanks--The prayers of the synagogue were called "eulogies," because to each prayer was joined a thanksgiving. Hence the prayers of the Christian Church also were called blessings and giving of thanks. This illustrates Col 4:2; 1Th 5:17, 18. So the Kaddisch and Keduscha, the synagogue formulæ of "hallowing" the divine "name" and of prayer for the "coming of God's kingdom," answer to the Church's Lord's Prayer, repeated often and made the foundation on which the other prayers are built [TERTULLIAN, Prayer].

     

 â€¢ JFB Top  AC
Verse 18. tongues--The oldest manuscripts have the singular, "in a tongue [foreign]."

     

 â€¢ JFB Top  AC
Verse 19. I had rather--The Greek verb more literally expresses this meaning, "I WISH to speak five words with my understanding (rather) than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue"; even the two thousandth part of ten thousand. The Greek for "I would rather," would be a different verb. Paul would NOT wish at all to speak "ten thousand words in an unknown tongue."

     

 â€¢ JFB Top  AC
Verse 20. Brethren--an appellation calculated to conciliate their favorable reception of his exhortation.
      children in understanding--as preference of gifts abused to nonedification would make you (compare 1Co 3:1; Mt 10:16; Ro 16:19; Eph 4:14). The Greek for "understanding" expresses the will of one's spirit, Ro 8:6 (it is not found elsewhere); as the "heart" is the will of the "soul." The same Greek is used for "minded" in Ro 8:6.
      men--full-grown. Be childlike, not childish.

     

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Verse 21. In the law--as the whole Old Testament is called, being all of it the law of God. Compare the citation of the Psalms as the "law," Joh 10:34. Here the quotation is from Isa 28:11, 12, where God virtually says of Israel, This people hear Me not, though I speak to. them in the language with which they are familiar; I will therefore speak to them in other tongues, namely, those of the foes whom I will send against them; but even then they will not hearken to Me; which Paul thus applies, Ye see that it is a penalty to be associated with men of a strange tongue, yet ye impose this on the Church [GROTIUS]; they who speak in foreign tongues are like "children" just "weaned from the milk" (Isa 28:9), "with stammering lips" speaking unintelligibly to the hearers, appearing ridiculous (Isa 28:14), or as babbling drunkards (Ac 2:13), or madmen (1Co 14:23).

     

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Verse 22. Thus from Isaiah it appears, reasons Paul, that "tongues" (unknown and uninterpreted) are not a sign mainly intended for believers (though at the conversion of Cornelius and the Gentiles with him, tongues were vouchsafed to him and them to confirm their faith), but mainly to be a condemnation to those, the majority, who, like Israel in Isaiah's day, reject the sign and the accompanying message. Compare "yet . . . will they not hear Me" (1Co 14:21). "Sign" is often used for a condemnatory sign (Eze 4:3, 4; Mt 12:39-42). Since they will not understand, they shall not understand.
      prophesying . . . not for them that believe not, but . . . believe--that is, prophesying has no effect on them that are radically and obstinately like Israel (Isa 28:11, 12), unbelievers, but on them that are either in receptivity or in fact believers; it makes believers of those not wilfully unbelievers (1Co 14:24, 25; Ro 10:17), and spiritually nourishes those that already believe.

     

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Verse 23. whole . . . all . . . tongues--The more there are assembled, and the more that speak in unknown tongues, the more will the impression be conveyed to strangers "coming in" from curiosity ("unbelievers"), or even from a better motive ("unlearned"), that the whole body of worshippers is a mob of fanatical "madmen"; and that "the Church is like the company of builders of Babel after the confusion of tongues, or like the cause tried between two deaf men before a deaf judge, celebrated in the Greek epigram" [GROTIUS].
      unlearned--having some degree of faith, but not gifts [BENGEL].

     

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Verse 24. all--one by one (1Co 14:31).
      prophesy--speak the truth by the Spirit intelligibly, and not in unintelligible tongues.
      one--"anyone." Here singular; implying that this effect, namely, conviction by all, would be produced on anyone, who might happen to enter. In 1Co 14:23 the plural is used; "unlearned or unbelievers"; implying that however many there might be, not one would profit by the tongues; yea, their being many would confirm them in rejecting the sign, as many unbelieving men together strengthen one another in unbelief; individuals are more easily won [BENGEL].
      convinced--convicted in conscience; said of the "one that believeth not" (Joh 16:8, 9).
      judged--His secret character is opened out. "Is searched into" [ALFORD]. Said of the "one unlearned" (compare 1Co 2:15).

     

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Verse 25. And thus--omitted in the oldest manuscripts and versions.
      secrets of his heart made manifest--He sees his own inner character opened out by the sword of the Spirit (Heb 4:12; Jas 1:23), the word of God, in the hand of him who prophesieth. Compare the same effect produced on Nebuchadnezzar (Da 2:30 and end of Da 2:47). No argument is stronger for the truth of religion than its manifestation of men to themselves in their true character. Hence hearers even now often think the preacher must have aimed his sermon particularly at them.
      and so--convicted at last, judged, and manifested to himself. Compare the effect on the woman of Samaria produced by Jesus' unfolding of her character to herself (Joh 4:19, 29).
      and report--to his friends at home, as the woman of Samaria did. Rather, as the Greek is, "He will worship God, announcing," that is, openly avowing then and there, "that God is in you of a truth," and by implication that the God who is in you is of a truth the God.

      1Co 14:26-40. RULES FOR THE EXERCISE OF GIFTS IN THE CONGREGATION.

     

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Verse 26. How is it then?--rather, "What then is the true rule to be observed as to the use of gifts?" Compare 1Co 14:15, where the same Greek occurs.
      a psalm--extemporary, inspired by the Spirit, as that of Mary, Zechariah, Simeon, and Anna (Lu 1:46-55, 67-79; 2:34-38).
      a doctrine--to impart and set forth to the congregation.
      a tongue . . . a revelation--The oldest manuscripts transpose the order: "revelation . . . tongue"; "interpretation" properly following "tongue" (1Co 14:13).
      Let all things be done unto edifying--The general rule under which this particular case fails; an answer to the question at the beginning of this verse. Each is bound to obey the ordinances of his church not adverse to Scripture. See Article XXXIV, Church of England Prayer Book.

     

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Verse 27. let it be by two--at each time, in one assembly; not more than two or three might speak with tongues at each meeting.
      by course--in turns.
      let one interpret--one who has the gift of interpreting tongues; and not more than one.

     

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Verse 28. let him--the speaker in unknown tongues.
      speak to himself, and to God--(compare 1Co 14:2, 4) --privately and not in the hearing of others.

     

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Verse 29. two or three--at one meeting (he does not add "at the most," as in 1Co 14:27, lest he should seem to "quench prophesyings," the most edifying of gifts), and these "one by one," in turn (1Co 14:27, "by course," and 1Co 14:31). Paul gives here similar rules to the prophets, as previously to those speaking in unknown tongues.
      judge--by their power of "discerning spirits" (1Co 12:10), whether the person prophesying was really speaking under the influence of the Spirit (compare 1Co 12:3; 1Jo 4:13).

     

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Verse 30. If any thing--Translate, "But if any thing."
      another that sitteth by--a hearer.
      let the first hold his peace--Let him who heretofore spoke, and who came to the assembly furnished with a previous ordinary (in those times) revelation from God (1Co 14:26), give place to him who at the assembly is moved to prophesy by a sudden revelation from the Spirit.

     

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Verse 31. For ye may--rather, "For ye can [if ye will] all prophesy one by one," giving way to one another. The "for" justifies the precept (1Co 14:30), "let the first hold his peace."

     

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Verse 32. And--following up the assertion in 1Co 14:31, "Ye can (if ye will) prophesy one by one," that is, restrain yourselves from speaking all together; "and the spirits of the prophets," that is, their own spirits, acted on by the Holy Spirit, are not so hurried away by His influence, as to cease to be under their own control; they can if they will hear others, and not demand that they alone should be heard uttering communications from God.

     

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Verse 33. In all the churches of the saints God is a God of peace; let Him not among you be supposed to be a God of confusion [ALFORD]. Compare the same argument in 1Co 11:16. LACHMANN and others put a full stop at "peace," and connect the following words thus: "As in all churches of the saints, let your women keep silence in your churches."

     

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Verse 34. (1Ti 2:11, 12). For women to speak in public would be an act of independence, as if they were not subject to their husbands (compare 1Co 11:3; Eph 5:22; Tit 2:5; 1Pe 3:1). For "under obedience," translate, "in subjection" or "submission," as the Greek is translated (Eph 5:21, 22, 24).
      the law--a term applied to the whole Old Testament; here, Ge 3:16.

     

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Verse 35. Anticipation of an objection. Women may say, "But if we do not understand something, may we not 'ask' a question publicly so as to 'learn'? Nay, replies Paul, if you want information, 'ask' not in public, but 'at home'; ask not other men, but 'your own particular (so the Greek) husbands.'"
      shame--indecorous.

     

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Verse 36. What!--Greek, "Or." Are you about to obey me? Or, if you set up your judgment above that of other churches. I wish to know, do you pretend that your church is the first church FROM which the gospel word came, that you should give the law to all others? Or are you the only persons In, fro whom it has come?

     

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Verse 37. prophet--the species.
      spiritual--the genus: spiritually endowed. The followers of Apollos prided themselves as "spiritual" (1Co 3:1-3; compare Ga 6:1). Here one capable of discerning spirits is specially meant.
      things that I write . . . commandments of the Lord--a direct assertion of inspiration. Paul's words as an apostle are Christ's words. Paul appeals not merely to one or two, but to a body of men, for the reality of three facts about which no body of men could possibly be mistaken: (1) that his having converted them was not due to mere eloquence, but to the "demonstration of the Spirit and of power"; (2) that part of this demonstration consisted in the communication of miraculous power, which they were then exercising so generally as to require to be corrected in the irregular employment of it; (3) that among these miraculous gifts was one which enabled the "prophet" or "spiritual person" to decide whether Paul's Epistle was Scripture or not. He could not have written so, unless the facts were notoriously true: for he takes them for granted, as consciously known by the whole body of men whom he addresses [HINDS, On Inspiration].

     

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Verse 38. if any man be ignorant--wilfully; not wishing to recognize these ordinances and my apostolic authority in enjoining them.
      let him be ignorant--I leave him to his ignorance: it will be at his own peril; I feel it a waste of words to speak anything further to convince him. An argument likely to have weight with the Corinthians, who admired "knowledge" so much.

     

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Verse 39. covet--earnestly desire. Stronger than "forbid not"; marking how much higher he esteemed "prophecy" than "tongues."

     

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Verse 40. Let, &c.--The oldest manuscripts read, "But let," &c. This verse is connected with 1Co 14:39, "But (while desiring prophecy, and not forbidding tongues) let all things be done decently." "Church government is the best security for Christian liberty" [J. NEWTON]. (Compare 1Co 14:23, 26-33).





    Copyright Statement
    These files are a derivative of an electronic edition prepared from text scanned by Woodside Bible Fellowship.

    This expanded edition of the Jameison-Faussett-Brown Commentary is in the public domain and may be freely used and distributed.

    Bibliography Information
    Jamieson, Robert, D.D. "Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14". "Commentary Critical and Explanatory
    on the Whole Bible". <http://www.studylight.org/com/jfb/view.cgi?book=1co&chapter=014>. 1871.  



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    Clarke's Commentary




    1 Corinthians 14

    The King James 
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Explanatory Commentary for The Epistles The King James 
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    - CLARKE'S COMMENTARY -

    •  Key

    Chapter 14

    • We should earnestly desire spiritual gifts; but prophesying is to be preferred, because it is superior to the gift of tongues, 1,2.

    • Prophesying defined, 3.

    • How to regulate this supernatural gift of tongues, in teaching for the edification of the Church, 4-13.

    • In praying and giving thanks, 14-17. Those who speak with tongues should interpret that others may be edified, 18-22

    • What benefit may accrue from this in the public assemblies, 23-28.

    • How the prophets or teachers should act in the Church, 29-33.

    • Women should keep silence in the church, 34,35. All should be humble, and every thing should be done in love, 36-40.

  • Notes on Chapter 14



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    Verse 1. Follow after charity
    Most earnestly labour to be put in possession of that love which beareth, believeth, hopeth, and endureth all things. It may be difficult to acquire, and difficult to retain this blessed state, but it is essential to your present peace and eternal happiness. This clause belongs to the preceding chapter.

    Desire spiritual gifts
    Ye are very intent on getting those splendid gifts which may add to your worldly consequence, and please your carnal minds-but labour rather to get the gifts of God's Spirit, by which ye may grow in grace, and be useful to others-and particularly desire that ye may prophesy-that ye may be able to teach and instruct others in the things of their salvation.

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    Verse 2. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue
    This chapter is crowded with difficulties. It is not likely that the Holy Spirit should, in the church, suddenly inspire a man with the knowledge of some foreign language, which none in the church understood but himself; and lead him to treat the mysteries of Christianity in that language, though none in the place could profit by his teaching.

    Dr. Lightfoot's mode of reconciling these difficulties is the most likely I have met with. He supposes that by the unknown tongue the Hebrew is meant, and that God restored the true knowledge of this language when he gave the apostles the gift of tongues. As the Scriptures of the Old Testament were contained in this language, and it has beauties, energies, and depths in it which no verbal translation can reach, it was necessary, for the proper elucidation of the prophecies concerning the Messiah, and the establishment of the Christian religion, that the full meaning of the words of this sacred language should be properly understood. And it is possible that the Hebrew Scriptures were sometimes read in the Christian congregations as they were in the Jewish synagogues; and if the person who read and understood them had not the power and faculty of explaining them to others, in vain did he read and understand them himself. And we know that it is possible for a man to understand a language, the force, phraseology, and idioms of which he is incapable of explaining even in his mother tongue. We shall see, in the course of these notes, how this view of the subject will apply to the illustration of the apostle's words throughout the chapter.

    Speaketh not unto men, but unto God
    None present understanding the language, God alone knowing the truth and import of what he says:-

    In the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
    Though his own mind (for so οτοιςCLICK HERE, ¹ is understood here by many eminent critics) apprehends the mysteries contained in the words which he reads or utters; but if, by the spirit, we understand the Spirit of God, it only shows that it is by that Spirit that he is enabled to speak and apprehend these mysteries. See Clarke on 1 Corinthians 14:19.

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    Verse 3. But he that prophesieth
    The person who has the gift of teaching is much more useful to the Church than he is who has only the gift of tongues, because he speaks to the profit of men: viz. to their edification, by the Scriptures he expounds; to their exhortation, by what he teaches; and to their comfort, by his revelation.-Whitby. I must here refer to my sermon on this text, intitled, "The Christian Prophet and his Work," in which I have endeavoured to consider the whole of this subject at large.

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    Verse 4. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue
    In the Hebrew for instance, the knowledge of the depth and power of which he has got by a Divine revelation, edifieth himself by that knowledge.

    But he that prophesieth
    Has the gift of preaching.

    Edifieth the Church.
    Speaketh unto men to edification, exhortation, and comfort, 1 Corinthians 14:3.

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    Verse 5. I would that ye all spake with tongues
    The word θελω does not so much imply a wish or desire, as a command or permission. As if he had said: I do not restrain you to prophesying or teaching though I prefer that; but I give you full permission to speak in Hebrew whenever it is proper, and when one is present who can interpret for the edification of the Church, provided yourselves have not that gift, though you understand the language. The apostle said tongue, in the singular number, 1 Corinthians 14:2,4, because he spoke of a single man; now he says tongues, in the plural number, because he speaks of many speaking; but he has the same meaning in both places.-Lightfoot.

    Greater is he that prophesieth
    A useful, zealous preacher, though unskilled in learned languages, is much greater in the sight of God, and in the eye of sound common sense, than he who has the gift of those learned tongues; except he interpret: and we seldom find great scholars good preachers. This should humble the scholar, who is too apt to be proud of his attainments, and despise his less learned but more useful brother. This judgment of St. Paul is too little regarded.

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    Verse 6. Speaking with tongues
    Without interpreting.

    What shall I profit you?
    i.e. I shall not profit you;

    Except I shall speak to you either by revelation
    Of some secret thing; or by knowledge, of some mystery; or by prophesying, foretelling some future event; or by doctrine, instructing you what to believe and practise.-See Whitby. These four words are taken in different acceptations by learned men. The general sense of the terms is that given above: but the peculiar meaning of the apostle is perhaps not easily discerned.

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    Verse 7. And even things without life
    I may, as if he had said, illustrate this farther by referring to a pipe or harp; if these were to utter mere sounds without order, harmony, or melody, though every tone of music might be in the sounds, surely no person could discern a tune in such sounds, nor receive pleasure from such discords: even so is the person who speaks in an unknown tongue, but does not interpret. His speech tends no more to edification than those discordant and unmeaning sounds do to pleasure and delight.

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    Verse 8. If the trumpet give an uncertain sound
    If, when the soldier should prepare himself for the battle, the trumpet should give a different sound to that which is ordinarily used on such occasions, the soldier is not informed of what he should do, and therefore does not arm himself; consequently, that vague, unintelligible sound of the trumpet, is of no use.

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    Verse 9. Likewise ye
    If ye do not speak in the Church so as to be understood, your labour is useless; ye shall speak into the air-your speech will be lost and dissipated in the air, without conveying any meaning to any person: there will be a noise or sound, but nothing else. Gifts of that kind, thus used, are good for nothing.

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    Verse 10. There are, it may be
    οτοιςCLICK HERE, ¹, For example.

    So many kinds of voices
    So many different languages, each of which has its distinct articulation, pronunciation, emphasis, and meaning; or there may be so many different nations, each possessing a different language,

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    Verse 11. If I know not the meaning of the voice
    οτοιςCLICK HERE, , The power and signification of the language.

    I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian
    I shall appear to him, and he to me, as a person who had no distinct and articulate sounds which can convey any kind of meaning. This observation is very natural: when we hear persons speaking in a language of which we know nothing, we wonder how they can understand each other, as, in their speech, there appears to us no regular distinction of sounds or words. For the meaning and origin of the word barbarian, See Clarke on Acts 28:2.

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    Verse 12. For as much as ye are zealous
    Seeing ye affect so much to have spiritual gifts, seek that ye may get those by which ye may excel in edifying the Church.

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    Verse 13. Pray that he may interpret.
    Let him who speaks or reads the prophetic declarations in the Old Testament, in that tongue in which they were originally spoken and written, pray to God that he may so understand them himself, and receive the gift of interpretation, that he may be able to explain them in all their depth and latitude to others.

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    Verse 14. For if I pray in an unknown tongue
    If my prayers are composed of sentences and sayings taken out of the prophets, my spirit prayeth, my heart is engaged in the work, and my prayers answer all the purpose of prayers to myself; but my understanding is unfruitful to all others, because they do not understand my prayers, and I either do not or cannot interpret them. See Clarke on 1 Corinthians 14:19.

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    Verse 16. He that occupieth the room of the unlearned
    One who is not acquainted with the language in which you speak, sing, or pray.

    Say Amen
    Give his assent and ratification to what he does not understand. It was very frequent in primitive times to express their approbation in the public assemblies by Amen. This practice, soberly and piously conducted, might still be of great use in the Church of Christ.

    This response was of the highest authority and merit among the Jews; they even promised the remission of all sins, the annihilation of the sentence of damnation, and the opening of the gates of paradise, to those who fervently say Amen. And it is one of their maxims that "greater is he who says Amen than he who prays." See many testimonies of this kind in Schoettgen. Now, allowing that this was of so much consequence in tho time of St. Paul, it was a very serious matter for a person to be in a congregation where prayer was offered, who could not say Amen, because the prayers were in a language which he did not understand.

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    Verse 17. Thou verily givest thanks well
    Because he felt gratitude, and, from a sense of his obligation, gave praise to God; but because this was in an unknown tongue, those who heard him received no edification.

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    Verse 18. I speak with tongues more than ye all
    He understood more languages than any of them did: and this was indispensably necessary, as he was the apostle of the Gentiles in general, and had to preach to different provinces where different dialects, if not languages, were used. In the Hebrew, Syriac, Greek, and Latin, he was undoubtedly well skilled from his education; and how many he might understand by miraculous gift we cannot tell. But, even literally understood, it is very probable that he knew more languages than any man in the Church of Corinth.

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    Verse 19. Yet in the church
    As the grand object of public worship is the edification of those who attend, five words spoken so as to convey edification, were of much more consequence than ten thousand which, not being understood, could convey none. By the word οτοιςCLICK HERE, ·, tongue, to which we add unknown, I suppose the apostle always means the Hebrew, for the reasons offered in Clarke's note on "1Co 14:1".

    One of the greatest difficulties, says Bishop Pearce, in this epistle is contained in the words (πνευμα and νουςοτοιςCLICK HERE, ), spirit and understanding, which are frequently used in this chapter; and fixing the true meaning of these words will solve the difficulty. In this verse the apostle explains λαλειντωςοι, to speak with the understanding, by ινααλλουςκατηχησω, that I might teach others; so that the sense of νους, understanding, seems to be, that understanding which the hearer has of what is said; and this sense will agree well with, I will sing with the spirit, and with the understanding, 1 Corinthians 14:15.

    He observes also that πνευμα spirit, and νους, understanding, have a sense opposite to each other; so that if νους is rightly rendered, the understanding which another has of what is said; then πνευμα will signify a man's own mind, i.e. his own understanding of what he himself speaks; and this sense agrees well with 1 Corinthians 14:2: In the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

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    Verse 20. Be not children in understanding
    There are three words here to which we must endeavour to affix the proper sense. 1. οτοιςCLICK HERE, signifies children in general, but particularly such as are grown up, so as to be fit to send to school in order to receive instruction; 2. νηπιος, from νη, not, and ειπω, I speak, signifies an infant; one that cannot yet speak, and is in the lowest stage of infancy; 3. τελειοι, from τελεω, I complete or perfect, signifies those who are arrived at perfect maturity, both of growth and understanding. We shall now see the apostle's meaning: Brethren, be not, παιδια, as little children, just beginning to go to school, in order to learn the first elements of their mother tongue, and with an understanding only sufficient to apprehend those elements.

    In malice
    κακια, In wickedness, νηπιαζετε, be ye as infants, who neither speak, do, nor purpose evil.

    But in understanding
    τελειοιγινεσθε, Be ye perfect men, whose vigour of body, and energy of mind show a complete growth, and a well cultivated understanding.

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    Verse 21. In the law it is written
    But the passage quoted is in Isaiah 28:11. Here is no contradiction, for the term torah, LAW, was frequently used by the Jews to express the whole Scriptures, law, prophets, and hagiographia; and they used it to distinguish these sacred writings from the words of the scribes.

    With men of other tongues
    Bishop Pearce paraphrases this verse as follows: "With the tongues of foreigners and with the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people; and yet, for all that, will they not hear me, saith the Lord." To enter into the apostle's meaning we must enter into that of the prophet. The Jewish people were under the teaching of the prophets who were sent from God; these instructed, reproved, and corrected them by this Divine authority. They however became so refractory and disobedient that God purposed to cast them off, and abandon them to the Babylonians: then, they had a people to teach, correct, and reprove them, whose language they did not understand. The discipline that they received in this way was widely different from that which they received while under the teaching of the prophets and the government of God; and yet for all this they did not humble themselves before their Maker that this affliction might be removed from them.

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    Verse 22. Wherefore tongues are for a sign
    The miraculous gift of tongues was never designed for the benefit of those who have already believed, but for the instruction of unbelievers, that they might see from such a miracle that this is the work of God; and so embrace the Gospel. But as, in the times of the prophet, the strange Babylonish tongues came in the way of punishment, and not in the way of mercy; take heed that it be not the case now: that, by dwelling on the gift, ye forget the Giver; and what was designed for you as a blessing, may prove to you to be a curse. For if, because ye have the gift of tongues, ye will choose for your own aggrandizement to use them in the public congregation where none understands them, God may curse your blessings.

    Prophesying
    Teaching the things of God in a known language is of infinitely more consequence than speaking in all the foreign tongues in the universe.

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    Verse 23. Will they not say that ye are mad?
    So they well might, finding a whole assembly of people talking languages which those who had most need of instruction could not understand.

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    Verse 24. But if all prophecy
    If all those who teach do it in the tongue which all understand; if an unbeliever, or one who knows nothing of the sacred language, come in and hear things just suited to his own state, he is convicted by all, and he is judged by all.

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    Verse 25. And thus are the secrets of his heart
    As these, who were the prophets or teachers, had often the discernment of spirits, they were able in certain cases, and probably very frequently, to tell a man the secrets of his own heart; and, where this was not directly the case, God often led his ministers to speak those things that were suitable to the case before them, though they themselves had no particular design. The sinner, therefore, convinced that God alone could uncover the secrets of his heart, would be often obliged to fall down on his face, abashed and confounded, and acknowledge that God was truly among them. This seems to be the plain meaning of the passages before us.

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    Verse 26. How is it-every one of you hath a psalm, Lightfoot understands this in the following manner: When the congregation came together, some were for spending the time in psalmody; others in explaining particular doctrines; others in reading, praying, or speaking in the Hebrew tongue; others were curious to hear of farther revelations; and others wished to spend the time in the interpretation of what had already been spoken. This may be specious, but to me it is not satisfactory. It seems more likely that, when the whole Church came together, among whom there were many persons with extraordinary gifts, each of them wished to put himself forward, and occupy the time and attention of the congregation: hence confusion must necessarily take place, and perhaps not a little contention. This was contrary to that edifying which was the intention of these gifts.

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    Verse 27. Speak in an unknown tongue
    The Hebrew, as has already been conjectured.

    Let it be by two; or at the most by three, and that by course
    Let only two or three in one assembly act in this way, that too much time may not be taken up with one exercise; and let this be done by course, the one after the other, that two may not be speaking at the same time: and let one interpret for all that shall thus speak.

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    Verse 28. But if there be no interpreter
    If there be none present who can give the proper sense of this Hebrew reading and speaking, then let him keep silence, and not occupy the time of the Church, by speaking in a language which only himself can understand.

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    Verse 29. Let the prophets
    Those who have the gift of speaking to men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort; 1 Corinthians 14:3.

    Two or three
    As prophesying implied psalmody, teaching, and exhortation, Dr. Lightfoot thinks that the meaning of the place is this: Let one sing who has a psalm; let another teach who has a doctrine; and let a third exhort, or comfort, who has a gift of that kind.

    And let the other judge.
    The other prophets, or qualified persons, judge of the propriety of what had been spoken; or let them discern, οτοιςCLICK HERE, , how the revelation under the new covenant confirmed and illustrated the revelation granted under the Old Testament. It appears to have been taken for granted, that a man might pretend to this spirit of prophecy who was not sent of God; and therefore it was the duty of the accredited teachers to examine whether what he spoke was according to truth, and the analogy of faith. For the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets; every man's gift was to be judged of by those whose age, experience, and wisdom, gave them a right to decide. Besides, though the person who did speak might do it from an impulse of God, yet, if he was not sufficiently known, his testimony ought to be received with caution; and therefore the aged prophets should judge of his gift, lest false doctrines should slide into the Church.

    But all these provisions, as Schoettgen justly observes, were in imitation of the practice in the Jewish synagogues; for there it was customary for them to object, interrogate, judge, refute,

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    Verse 30. Be revealed to another that sitteth by
    Probably those who were teachers sat on a particular seat, or place, from which they might most readily address the people; and this may be the meaning of sitting by. If such a person could say, I have just received a particular revelation from God, then let him have the liberty immediately to speak it; as it might possibly relate to the circumstances of that time and place.

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    Verse 31. For ye may all prophesy one by one
    The gifts which God grants are given for the purpose of edification; but there can be no edification where there is confusion; therefore let them speak one by one.

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    Verse 32. And the spirits of the prophets, interrupt another; and let all be ready to prefer others before themselves; and let each feel a spirit of subjection to his brethren. God grants no ungovernable gifts.

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    Verse 33. For God is not the author of confusion
    Let not the persons who act in the congregation in this disorderly manner, say, that they are under the influence of God; for he is not the author of confusion; but two, three, or more, praying or teaching in the same place, at the same time, is confusion; and God is not the author of such work; and let men beware how they attribute such disorder to the God of order and peace. The apostle calls such conduct οτοιςCLICK HERE, , tumult, sedition; and such it is in the sight of God, and in the sight of all good men. How often is a work of God marred and discredited by the folly of men! for nature will always, and Satan too, mingle themselves as far as they can in the genuine work of the Spirit, in order to discredit and destroy it. Nevertheless, in great revivals of religion it is almost impossible to prevent wild-fire from getting in amongst the true fire; but it is the duty of the ministers of God to watch against and prudently check this; but if themselves encourage it, then there will be confusion and every evil work.

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    Verse 34. Let your women keep silence in the churches
    This was a Jewish ordinance; women were not permitted to teach in the assemblies, or even to ask questions. The rabbins taught that "a woman should know nothing but the use of her distaff." And the sayings of Rabbi Eliezer, as delivered, Bammidbar Rabba, sec. 9, fol. 204, are both worthy of remark and of execration; they are these: yisrephu dibrey torah veal yimsaru lenashim, "Let the words of the law be burned, rather than that they should be delivered to women."

    This was their condition till the time of the Gospel, when, according to the prediction of Joel, the Spirit of God was to be poured out on the women as well as the men, that they might prophesy, i.e. teach. And that they did prophesy or teach is evident from what the apostle says, 1 Corinthians 11:5, where he lays down rules to regulate this part of their conduct while ministering in the church.

    But does not what the apostle says here contradict that statement, and show that the words in chap. 11 should be understood in another sense? For, here it is expressly said that they should keep silence in the church; for it was not permitted to a woman to speak. Both places seem perfectly consistent. It is evident from the context that the apostle refers here to asking questions, and what we call dictating in the assemblies. It was permitted to any man to ask questions, to object, altercate, attempt to refute, but this liberty was not allowed to any woman. St. Paul confirms this in reference also to the Christian Church; he orders them to keep silence; and, if they wished to learn any thing, let them inquire of their husbands at home; because it was perfectly indecorous for women to be contending with men in public assemblies, on points of doctrine, cases of conscience, a woman received any particular influence from God to enable her to teach, that she was not to obey that influence; on the contrary, she was to obey it, and the apostle lays down directions in chap. 11 for regulating her personal appearance when thus employed. All that the apostle opposes here is their questioning, finding fault, disputing, Jewish men were permitted to do in their synagogues; together with the attempts to usurp any authority over the man, by setting up their judgment in opposition to them; for the apostle has in view, especially, acts of disobedience, arrogance, woman would be guilty who was under the influence of the Spirit of God.

    But-to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
    This is a reference to Genesis 3:16: Thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. From this it is evident that it was the disorderly and disobedient that the apostle had in view; and not any of those on whom God had poured out his Spirit.

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    Verse 35. For it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
    The Jews would not suffer a woman to read in the synagogue; though a servant or even a child, had this permission; but the apostle refers to irregular conduct, such conduct as proved that they were not under obedience, 1 Corinthians 14:34.

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    Verse 36. Came the word of God out from you?
    Was it from you that other Churches received the Gospel? Are you the mother Church? that you should have rules, and orders, and customs, different from all others; and set yourselves up for a model to be copied by all the Churches of Christ?

    Or came it unto you only?
    Are you the only Church of God? Are there not many others founded before you that have no such customs, and permit no such disorders?

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    Verse 37. If any man think himself to be a prophet, who is really a spiritual man, under the influence of the Spirit of God, and capable of teaching the Divine will, he will acknowledge that what I now say is from the same Spirit; and that the things which I now write are the commandments of God, and must be obeyed on pain of his displeasure.

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    Verse 38. But if any man be ignorant
    If he affect to be so, or pretend that he is ignorant; let him be ignorant-let him be so at his peril.

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    Verse 39. Covet to prophesy
    Let it be your endeavour and prayer to be able to teach the way of God to the ignorant; this is the most valuable, because the most useful gift of the Spirit.

    And forbid not to speak with tongues.
    Let every gift have its own place and operation; let none envy another; nor prevent him from doing that part of the work to which God, by giving the qualification, has evidently called him.

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    Verse 40. Let all things be done decently
    οτοιςCLICK HERE, ‚. In their proper forms; with becoming reverence; according to their dignity and importance, Every thing in the Church of God should be conducted with gravity and composure, suitable to the importance of the things, the infinite dignity of the object of worship, and the necessity of the souls in behalf of which those religious ordinances are instituted.

    And in order.
    καταταξιν. Every thing in its place, every thing in its time, and every thing suitably.

    Let all things be done decently and in order, is a direction of infinite moment in all the concerns of religion, and of no small consequence in all the concerns of life. How much pain, confusion, and loss would be prevented, were this rule followed! There is scarcely an embarrassment in civil or domestic life that does not originate in a neglect of this precept. No business, trade, art, or science, can be carried on to any advantage or comfort, unless peculiar attention be paid to it. And as to religion, there can be absolutely none without it. Where decency and order are not observed in every part of the worship of God, no spiritual worship can be performed. The manner of doing a thing is always of as much consequence as the act itself. And often the act derives all its consequence and utility from the manner in which it is performed.

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    Copyright Statement
    The Adam Clarke Commentary is a derivative of an electronic edition prepared by GodRules.net.

    Bibliography Information
    Clarke, Adam. "Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14". "The Adam Clarke Commentary". <http://www.studylight.org/com/acc/view.cgi?book=1co&chapter=014>. 1832.  


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