1 Corinthians 14:12, 1 Corinthians 14:6 ESV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:12

Even so ye - Since you desire spiritual gifts, I may urge it upon you to seek to he able to speak in a clear and intelligible manner, that you may edify the church. This is one of the most valuable endowments of the Spirit; and this should be earnestly desired.Forasmuch as ye are zealous - Since you earnestly desire; See the note at 1 Corinthians 12:31.Spiritual gifts - The endowments conferred by the Holy Spirit; See the note at 1 Corinthians 12:1.Seek that ye may excel ... - Seek that you may... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Corinthians 14:10-12

1 Corinthians 14:10-12. There are No doubt; so many kinds of voices Or languages; in the world As ye speak; and none of them is without signification To those that are acquainted with them. Therefore Nevertheless; if I know not the meaning of the voice The import of the particular language which is used in my hearing; I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian What I say will appear unintelligible jargon; and he a barbarian unto me We shall be incapable of holding any... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:1-25

The gift of tongues (14:1-25)In the light of his teaching on the variety of spiritual gifts and the importance of love, Paul now considers the problem that had arisen in the Corinthian church concerning tongues. The gift is allowable, but prophecy is preferable. This is because those who speak in tongues speak to God, not to their fellow worshippers, and therefore are of spiritual help only to themselves (unless someone interprets for them). Prophets, however, speak to all and so build up the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Corinthians 14:12

Even so ye = So ye also. zealous . Greek. zelotes . See Acts 21:20 . spiritual gifts . Literally spirits. Here put for the operations of the Holy Spirit, as in 1 Corinthians 14:2 . App-101 . excel = abound. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:12

So also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church.The teacher of the word of God is the true hero, not the tongue-speaker. It is simply incredible that the people affecting to speak in tongues could really imagine that they are doing any good. One humble teacher of the word of God does more good than a thousand tongue-speakers, even if their alleged "gift" should be accepted as genuine. Why then should intelligent people bother with it,... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:10-12

1 Corinthians 14:10-12. There are, it may be, &c.— There are, for example, many different languages in the world, and all are significant, 1 Corinthians 14:11. But if I do not understand the language, I shall be, with regard to him that uses it, as a foreigner, and he will be so to me, 1 Corinthians 14:12. Since then there is among you such an emulation about spiritual gifts, seek to excel in those which most contribute to edify the congregation. Heylin. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:12

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. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 14:1-25

4. The need for intelligibility 14:1-25"Paul had discussed the gift of the Spirit, the gifts of the Spirit, and the graces of the Spirit; and now he concluded this section by explaining the government of the Spirit in the public worship services of the church. Apparently there was a tendency for some of the Corinthians to lose control of themselves as they exercised their gifts, and Paul had to remind them of the fundamental principles that ought to govern the public meetings of the church.... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 14:6-12

Supporting analogies 14:6-12Paul illustrated his point that hearers do not benefit at all from what they do not understand. He used musical instruments as examples and clarified more about foreign languages. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 14:12

In view of this the Corinthians who were zealous for spiritual gifts would be better off pursuing the gifts that would enable them to build up the church. They should value these rather than the gifts that gave them some personal satisfaction when they exercised them but did not edify others. The Corinthians were zealots when it came to spirits (Gr. pneumaton). The English translators often interpreted this word as synonymous with pneumatikon (spiritual gifts, 1 Corinthians 14:1), but it is... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:12

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Corinthians 14:10-12

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:1-25

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Corinthians 14:12

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:12

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:10-12

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:12

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 14:1-25

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 14:6-12

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 14:12

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