2 Corinthians 4

2 Corinthians 4:1

What a thing is it, brethren - This was another disorder among them. Every one hath a psalm - That is, at the same time one begins to sing a psalm; another to deliver a doctrine; another to speak in an unknown tongue; another to declare what has been revealed to him; another to interpret what the former is speaking; every one probably gathering a little company about him, just as they did in the schools of the philosophers. Let all be done to edification - So as to profit the hearers.

2 Corinthians 4:2

By two or three at most - Let not above two or three speak at one meeting. And that by course - That is, one after another. And let one interpret - Either himself, 1 Corinthians 14:13; or, if he have not the gift, some other, into the vulgar tongue. It seems, the gift of tongues was an instantaneous knowledge of a tongue till then unknown, which he that received it could afterwards speak when he thought fit, without any new miracle.

2 Corinthians 4:3

Let him speak - That tongue, if he find it profitable to himself in his private devotions.

2 Corinthians 4:4

Let two or three of the prophets - Not more, at one meeting. Speak - One after another, expounding the scripture.

2 Corinthians 4:6

All - Who have that gift. That all may learn - Both by speaking and by hearing.

2 Corinthians 4:7

For the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets - But what enthusiast considers this? The impulses of the Holy Spirit, even in men really inspired, so suit themselves to their rational faculties, as not to divest them of the government of themselves, like the heathen priests under their diabolical possession. Evil spirits threw their prophets into such ungovernable ecstasies, as forced them to speak and act like madmen. But the Spirit of God left his prophets the clear use of their judgment, when, and how long, it was fit for them to speak, and never hurried them into any improprieties either as to the matter, manner, or time of their speaking.

2 Corinthians 4:9

Let your women be silent in the churches - Unless they are under an extraordinary impulse of the Spirit. For, in other cases, it is not permitted them to speak - By way of teaching in public assemblies. But to be in subjection - To the man whose proper office it is to lead and to instruct the congregation. Genesis 3:16.

2 Corinthians 4:10

And even if they desire to learn anything - Still they are not to speak in public, but to ask their own husbands at home - That is the place, and those the persons to inquire of.

2 Corinthians 4:11

Are ye of Corinth either the first or the only Christians? If not, conform herein to the custom of all the churches.

2 Corinthians 4:12

Or spiritual - Endowed with any extraordinary gift of the Spirit. Let him - Prove it, by acknowledging that I now write by the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 4:13

Let him be ignorant - Be it at his own peril.

2 Corinthians 4:14

Therefore - To sum up the whole.

2 Corinthians 4:15

Decently - By every individual. In order - By the whole church.

2 Corinthians 4:17

Decently - By every individual. In order - By the whole church.

2 Corinthians 4:18

Ye are saved, if ye hold fast - Your salvation is begun, and will be perfected, if ye continue in the faith. Unless ye have believed in vain - Unless indeed your faith was only a delusion.