1 Corinthians 14:39

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:39

Covet to prophesy - See the note at 1 Corinthians 14:1. This is the “summing up” of all that he had said. It was “desirable” that a man should wish to be able to speak, under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, in such a manner as to edify the church.And forbid not ... - Do not suppose that the power of speaking foreign languages is useless, or is to be despised, or that it is to be prohibited. “In its own place” it is a valuable endowment; and on proper occasions the talent should be exercised;... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Corinthians 14:39-40

1 Corinthians 14:39-40. Wherefore, brethren To conclude this long discourse, and sum up the whole in a few words; covet to prophesy To discourse about divine things in a way that will edify others; and yet forbid not Those who are willing to do it under such regulations as have now been advanced; to speak with tongues For it is a noble endowment, which I would encourage none to slight or neglect: only take care that all things In your religious assemblies; be done decently and in... 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 14:39

covet. Same as desire, 1 Corinthians 14:1 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:39

Wherefore my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. But let all things be done decently and in order.To prophesy ... While still refusing to forbid tongues categorically, for fear of wounding some with the real gift, Paul again stressed the superiority of teaching, commanding here that the brethren should desire to teach, not to speak in tongues.Forbid not to speak with tongues ... Throughout this chapter, it has been stressed that the existence of actual... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:39

1 Corinthians 14:39. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, &c.— "Therefore, to conclude all that I have been saying on these points, my advice to you, brethren, is, that you be earnestly desirous of obtaining and exercising the gift of prophesy, as the most excellent in itself, and most profitable to the church, of all others; (1 Corinthians 14:1-5.) and yet that ye would not utterly discountenance and prevent the exercise of the gift of tongues, which may also be of good use in its... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:39

39. covet—earnestly desire. Stronger than "forbid not"; marking how much higher he esteemed "prophecy" than "tongues." 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 14:36-40

Concluding confrontation 14:36-40Paul concluded his answer to the Corinthians’ question concerning spiritual gifts (chs. 12-14) and his teaching on tongues (ch. 14) with a strong call to cooperation. He zeroed in on their individualism (1 Corinthians 14:36; cf. 1 Corinthians 14:33) and confronted them on the issue of who indeed was spiritual (1 Corinthians 14:37). As a prophet of old he warned anyone who disagreed with his instructions (1 Corinthians 14:38) and finally summarized his argument... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 14:39

"Therefore" signals a summation of the entire argument on spiritual gifts. "My brethren" sounds a loving note at the end of this very stern discussion (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:10). "Desire earnestly to prophesy" repeats the imperative with which Paul began (1 Corinthians 14:1). "Do not forbid to speak in tongues" concedes the legitimacy of their favorite gift. Paul heartily encouraged the exercise of the gift of prophecy, but he only permitted the gift of speaking in tongues with certain... read more

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