1 Corinthians 14:23 NIV

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Corinthians 14:23

(23) If therefore.—Intended, as tongues were, for a “sign,” they cease to be thus useful if not properly employed. The report of the strange utterances which take place in the assembled Church may lead some unbeliever to come there: but if there be tongues alone, and they uninterpreted, the stranger will simply think those present are mad. (See Acts 2:13.) It is not meant here that all commence shouting out at the same time, neither is it in the next verse that all prophesy simultaneously; but... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 1 Corinthians 14:1-40

1 Corinthians 14:1 In his letter to the Governor of Edinburgh Castle (12th Sept. 1650), on the Scottish preachers' objections to lay preaching, Cromwell asks: 'Where do you find in the Scripture a ground to warrant such an assertion, That Preaching is exclusively your function? Though an Approbation from men hath order in it, and may do well; yet he that hath no better warrant than that, hath none at all. I hope He that ascended up on high may give His gifts to whom He pleases.... You know who... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:1-40

Chapter 20SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND PUBLIC WORSHIPIs the first twenty-five verses of this chapter Paul gives his estimate of the comparative value of the two chief spiritual gifts: speaking with tongues and prophesying; in the latter half of the chapter he lays down certain rules which were to guide the exercise of these gifts and certain principles on which all the worship and public services of the Church should proceed.A difficulty, however, meets us at the outset. We have no opportunity of... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:1-40

4. Prophecy and Speaking with a Tongue. CHAPTER 14 1. Prophecy the better gift. (1 Corinthians 14:1-13 .) 2. Intelligibility demanded. (1 Corinthians 14:14-25 .) 3. Practical instructions for the public use of these gifts. (1 Corinthians 14:26-40 .) It is evident from the contents of this chapter that the Corinthians had unduly magnified the gift of speaking in a strange tongue. It had a spectacular aspect which they enjoyed. He therefore shows them that the gift of prophecy is more to be... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:23

14:23 {11} If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in [those that are] {s} unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?(11) Another argument: the gift of tongues without prophecy is not only unprofitable to the faithful, but also hurts very much, both the faithful as well as the unfaithful, who should be won in the public assemblies. For by this means it comes to pass that the faithful seem to others to be mad,... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:1-40

Chapter 12 has shown the placing of every gift in its own place in the body by the Spirit of God. Chapter 13 insists on love as the pervading influence for unity and peace in the functioning of the body. It has been likened to the oil that lubricates machinery to enable it to run smoothly and without friction. Now chapter 14 deals with the actual functioning of the body, each member in service toward each other. Along with love, it is good to desire spiritual gifts, but prophesying is... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:1-40

SPIRITUAL GIFTS The theme of this lesson is closely related to the preceding, for the church disorders included not only unbecoming conduct of the women in the public assembly, and an unworthy observance of the Lord’s supper, but an unholy emulation in the matter of spiritual gifts. After a brief introduction (1 Corinthians 12:1-3 ), the apostle discusses the origin of these gifts as not natural to the believer, but the special bestowment of God. God the Father is the worker of them, God the... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 1 Corinthians 14:1-40

Trumpet and Sword 1Co 14:8 With the trumpet we associate the idea of music, and with music we associate the idea of enjoyment, pleasure, in some sense the idea of intellectual or æsthetic luxury. None of these ideas can be found in the text. To the Apostle Paul the trumpet was not a musical instrument, it was a battle force. He would utilise everything for Christ. He was not ignorant of secondary uses, of intermediate phases, but he would have everything pressed into the service of the... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:23-40

(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? (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: (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. (26) How is it then,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:15-25

15-25 There can be no assent to prayers that are not understood. A truly Christian minister will seek much more to do spiritual good to men's souls, than to get the greatest applause to himself. This is proving himself the servant of Christ. Children are apt to be struck with novelty; but do not act like them. Christians should be like children, void of guile and malice; yet they should not be unskilful as to the word of righteousness, but only as to the arts of mischief. It is a proof that a... read more