1 Corinthians 14

1 prophesy. Here used in the sense of teaching; “proclaiming” God’s truth. It was much more adapted to edify the Church than the gift of tongues (2-5: ep. 22-25).

2 understandeth. Lit., “heareth”; i.e., understandingly (16). He can therefore do no good, and yet perhaps “by the [power of the Holy] Spirit he speaks new revelations.”

4 edifieth himself. Not always because he understands what he says, but because the correctness and sacred passion of his utterance contribute to the “building up” of his spiritual life.

6 except I shall speak to you, etc. Addressing you in your own language, and imparting “revelation” as a prophet, or “knowledge” as a teacher.

7 what is piped or harped. What tune is played on either “the flute or the harp”; the two kinds of instrumental music used in Greece.

8 an uncertain sound. A sound whose meaning as a signal is not understood.

9 ye shall speak into the air. Futile, useless speech.

10. There are, it may be, etc. That is, However numerous the languages may be, not one of them is without meaning.

11 a barbarian. “A foreigner”; one who speaks a language which I do not know": see note on Acts xxviii. 2.

12 spiritual [gifts]. Lit., “spirits”: see note on xii. 1.

14 my spirit prayeth. My own spirit, under the power of the Holy Spirit, prays; but my mind can exercise no power over the minds of others, and is “unproductive” (14) of good to them (16, 17, 19). Consequently, a man who has only this gift had better be silent in the Christian assembly; speaking to himself and to God (28).

16 when thou shalt bless with the spirit. That is, when thou givest thanks to God in the exercise of thy spiritual gift, but in a tongue unknown to thy “unlearned” brother. The early Christians followed the ancient Jewish practice of exclaiming “Amen” (Neh. viii. 6) in token of assent to public prayer.

the unlearned. “The outsider” (Moffatt).

18. I thank my God, I speak with tongues, etc. I am not depreciating what I do not possess.

19 yet in the church, etc. Whatever I may do in private, in the congregation I would speak intelligibly, that I may instruct others.

20 in malice be ye children. Rather, “but in wickedness be ye babes.” Join the guilelessness of infancy with the wisdom of mature age: ep. Matt. x. 16.

21 in the law. That is (as in John x. 34), in the Old Testament (Isa. xxviii. 11, 12). When of old God spoke to Israel through a foreign language, it was in judgement, not in mercy, and it brought them no benefit.

22. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, etc. Or, Accordingly the gift of tongues is not for instructing believers, but for a sign (a convincing token of God’s presence) to those who do not believe; whereas, inspired teaching is rather for believers than for unbelievers. The contrast is put absolutely; but in vers. 24, 25 the utterance of Christian truth is shown to be the most effective upon the unbeliever too, laying bare his heart, and bringing him openly to confess God.

24. But if all prophesy. Each speaking in turn: see ver. 13.

26. How is it then, brethren? The apostle now rebukes them for their disorderly exercise of their gifts; one being eager to sing, whilst others wished to teach, or to make new “revelations,” or to speak with tongues, without regard to decorum and edification.

27 [let it be] by two, etc. Only two, or at most three, at one meeting, each in his turn.

29 the other. Rather, “the others” (R.V.).

30 let the first hold his peace. Let the first speaker stop upon being told of the new revelation.

32 the spirits of the prophets. These spiritual impulses are so far under your own control, that you can stop when you are speaking and wait for one another (30); for God, who moves you by His Spirit, loves peace and good order (33).

34 let your women keep silence in the churches. The speaking mentioned in the next clause is “chattering” (λαλεῖν). See xi. 5, 13, where teaching by women is recognised.

35 their husbands. Properly, “their own husbands.”

36. What? came the word of God out from you, etc.? You are neither the first nor the only church, and therefore can claim no right to be singular in your practices.

37 spiritual. Spirit-inspired.

commandments of the Lord. Paul here stamps his injunctions with the authority of Christ. He adds (ver. 38) that if any one does not acknowledge this, he cannot waste time in teaching one who will not be taught; such a person must take the consequences: cp. xi. 16, and note.