1 Corinthians Chapter 14
From BibleWiki
Introduction
THIS chapter is a continuation of the subject commenced in chapter 12, and pursued through chapter 13. In chapter 12. Paul had entered on the discussion of the various endowments which the Holy Spirit confers on Christians, and had shown that these endowments were bestowed in a different degree on different individuals, and yet so as to promote, in the best way, the edification of the church. It was proper, he said, (1Cor 12:31,) to desire the more eminent of these endowments; and yet there was one gift of the Spirit of more value than all others, which might be obtained by all, and which should be an object of desire to all. That was LOVE; and to show the nature, power, and value of this, was the design of the thirteenth chapter -- certainly one of the most tender and beautiful portions of the Bible. In this chapter the subject is continued with special reference to the subject of prophecy, as being the most valuable of the miraculous endowments, or the extraordinary gifts of Spirit.
In doing this, it was necessary to correct an erroneous estimate which they had placed on the power of speaking foreign languages. They had prized this, perhaps, because it gave them importance in the eyes of the heathen. And in proportion as they valued this, they undervalued the gift of being able to edify the church by speaking in a known and intelligible language. To correct this misapprehension; to show the relative value of these endowments, and especially to recommend the gift of "prophecy" as the more useful and desirable of the gifts of the Spirit, was the leading design of this chapter. In doing this, Paul first directs them to seek for charity. He also recommends to them, as in 1Cor 12:31, to desire spiritual endowments, and of these endowments especially to desire prophecy, 1Cor 14:1. He then proceeds to set forth the advantage of speaking in intelligible language, or of speaking so that the church may be edified, by the following considerations, which comprise the chapter: --
(1.) The advantage of being understood, and of speaking for the edification of the church, 1Cor 14:2ff.
(2.) No man could be useful to the church except he delivered that which was understood, any more than the sound of a trumpet in times of war would be useful, unless it were so sounded as to be understood by the army, 1Cor 14:6ff.
(3.) It was the duty of all to seek to edify the church and if a man could speak in an unknown tongue, it was his duty also to seek to be able to interpret what he said, 1Cor 14:12ff.
(4.) The use of tongues would produce embarrassment and confusion, since those who heard them speak would be ignorant of what was said, and be unable to join in the devotions, 1Cor 14:16, 1Cor 14:17.
(5.) Though Paul himself was more signally endowed than any of them, yet he prized far more highly the power of promoting the edification of the church, though he uttered but five words, if they were understood, than all the power which he possessed of speaking foreign languages, 1Cor 14:18, 1Cor 14:19.
(6.) This sentiment illustrated from the Old Testament, 1Cor 14:20, 1Cor 14:21.
(7.) The real use of the power of speaking foreign languages was to be a sign to unbelievers -- an evidence that the religion was from God, and not to be used among those who were already Christians, 1Cor 14:22.
(8.) The effect of their all speaking with tongues would be to produce confusion and disorder, and disgust among observers, and the conviction that they were deranged; but the effect of order, and of speaking intelligibly, would be to convince and convert them, 1Cor 14:23ff.
(9.) The apostle then gives rules in regard to the proper conduct of those who were able to speak foreign languages, 1Cor 14:26ff.
(10.) The great rule was, that order was to be observed, and that God was the Author of peace, 1Cor 14:33.
(11.) The apostle then gives a positive direction that on no pretence are women to be allowed to speak in the church, even though they should claim to be inspired, 1Cor 14:34, 1Cor 14:35.
(12.) He then required all to submit to his authority, and to admit that what he had spoken was from the Lord, 1Cor 14:36, 1Cor 14:37. And then,
(13.) Concludes with directing them to desire to prophesy, and not to forbid speaking with tongues on proper occasions, but to do all things in decency and order, 1Cor 14:38ff.
Text
1: Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. edit
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. edit
3: But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. edit
4: He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. edit
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. edit
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? edit
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? edit
8: For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? edit
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. edit
10: There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. edit
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. edit
12: Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. edit
13: Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. edit
14: For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. edit
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. edit
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? edit
17: For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. edit
18: I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: edit
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. edit
20: Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. edit
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. edit
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. edit
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? edit
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: edit
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. edit
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. edit
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. edit
28: But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. edit
29: Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. edit
30: If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. edit
31: For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. edit
32: And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. edit
33: For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. edit
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. edit
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. edit
36: What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? edit
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. edit
38: But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. edit
39: Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. edit
