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Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:27

Let it be by two, or at the most by three - That is, two, or at most three in one day, or in one meeting. So Grotius, Rosenmuller, Doddridge, Bloomfield, and Locke, understand it. It is probable that many were endowed with the gift of tongues; and it is certain that they were disposed to exercise the gift even when it could be of no real advantage, and when it was done only for ostentation. Paul had shown to them 1 Corinthians 14:22, that the main design of the gift of tongues was to convince... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Corinthians 14:27-28

1 Corinthians 14:27-28. If any man speak That is, be moved to speak; in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or, at the most, three Let not above two or three speak at one meeting; and that by course That is, one after another; and let one interpret What is said, 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 afterward speak when he thought fit, without any new miracle. But if there... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:26-40

Order and upbuilding (14:26-40)At the meetings of the Corinthian church, the Christians came prepared to take part in the service in a variety of ways. The guiding rule was that everything was to be spiritually helpful (26). But confusion arose because several spoke in different tongues at the same time, often with no interpreter. Paul says that if no interpreter is present, they must keep quiet. Even if an interpreter is present, they must speak in turn, and then no more than two or three... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Corinthians 14:27

any man = any one, as in 1 Corinthians 14:24 . by = according to. App-104 . by course = in turn. Greek. ana ( App-104 .) meros. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:27

If any man speaketh in a tongue, let it be by two, or at most three, and that in turn; and let one interpret: but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.There are a number of rules in these two verses which must be observed whenever tongues may be used. These are:1. No more than three may speak in a tongue on any given occasion. 2. All tongue-speaking must be done "in turn," that is, by persons speaking one at a time. 3. On no... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:27

1 Corinthians 14:27. If any man speak, &c.— St. Paul has said in this chapter as much as conveniently could be said, to restrain their speaking in an unknown tongue in their assemblies; which seems to be that particular wherein the vanity and ostentation of the Corinthians was most forward to shew themselves. "It is not," says he, "a gift intended for the edification of believers; however, since you will be exercising it in your meetings, let it always be so ordered that it may be for... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:27

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. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 14:26-33

The ordering of these gifts 14:26-33The apostle now began to regulate the use of tongues with interpretation, and he urged the use of discernment with prophecy."St Paul has here completed his treatment (xii.-xiv.) of pneumatika. He now gives detailed directions as to their use." [Note: Robertson and Plummer, p. 319.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 14:26-40

5. The need for order 14:26-40The Corinthians’ public worship practices not only failed to be edifying and convicting, but they also involved disorderly conduct. Paul proceeded to deal with this additional need to help his readers value these qualities over the pseudo spirituality that they associated with glossolalia. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 14:27-28

Paul laid down three guidelines for the use of tongues in public worship. First, the believers should permit only two or at the most three interpreted tongues messages. This is in harmony with the inferior contribution that tongues make compared with prophecy. Second, the speakers should give them consecutively rather than concurrently to minimize confusion. The Spirit does not overpower the speaker but is subject to the speaker, and the Spirit leads speakers to contribute in appropriate times... read more

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