Yet he had so great a regard to the end of his ministry, teaching others, and communicating Divine knowledge to them, that he had rather speak a little tending to that end, than never so much in a language which those to whom he spake did not understand. read more
CRITICAL NOTES1 Corinthians 14:1. Follow after.—Taking up the thought of a “way,” 1 Corinthians 12:31; as this whole verse resumes the theme of 12, after the digression or episode of 13 “Pursue” love; righteousness (Romans 9:30, etc.; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22; cf. Philippians 3:14); peace with all men (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 3:11; Romans 14:19); good (1 Thessalonians 5:15); hospitality (Romans 12:13). “We pursue love by watching against and resisting everything contrary to it, by prayer... read more
So Paul exhorts,Follow after love and desire spiritual ( 1 Corinthians 14:1 ),But rather, that you may prophecy. We were told to covet earnestly the best gifts. Now, again, he is saying the same thing,desire spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaks not unto men, but unto God: for no man understands him; howbeit in the spirit he speaks mysteries [or divine secrets] ( 1 Corinthians 14:1-2 ).So, an interesting verse here. If you are... read more
What is the subject of this chapter? Does it refer to the constant manner in which worship was conducted in the primitive churches; or does it refer to the manner in which men possessed of secondary gifts, edified the church during the absence of their superior ministers? Dr. Hammond in one place inclines to this opinion. Has it not also a regard to the way in which the body edified itself in love, during their agapæ or love-feasts, when they might all prophesy one by one. 1 Corinthians 14:1 .... read more
1 Corinthians 14:1-24Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts.Following after loveYou could see Gerald had been running fast a long way, for as he came up the garden path to his mother his face was very red and his hair quite damp with the perspiration on his forehead. “What have you been doing, my little boy?” his mother asked him. “Oh, mother,” he said, almost ready to cry, “I have been running after the rainbow, trying to catch it, but when I got to the top of the hill it was just as... read more
1 Corinthians 14:16-19Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit how shall … the unlearned say Amen.Public prayer should beI. Earnest--with the spirit.II. Intelligent--So that all can understand.III. United--all should say Amen. (J. Lyth, D. D.)Responses in prayer1. Are not only permissible but proper.2. Should be said, not shouted.3. Should be simple, appropriate, intelligent, and heartfelt. (J. Lyth, D. D.)Public devotionIn this we must keep in view--1. The glory of God.2. The edification of... read more
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. Ver. 19. In an unknown tongue ] A Parisian doctor tells us that though the apostle would have God’s service to be celebrated in a known tongue, yet the Church for various weighty reasons hath otherwise ordered and appointed it. (Benedict.) The Mahometans read their Koran (which they supposed were profaned if it were translated... read more
in the: 1 Corinthians 14:4, 1 Corinthians 14:21, 1 Corinthians 14:22 Reciprocal: Esther 1:22 - according Habakkuk 2:2 - make Acts 8:30 - Understandest 1 Corinthians 12:7 - General 1 Corinthians 14:9 - easy 1 Corinthians 14:14 - my spirit 1 Corinthians 14:15 - I will pray with the spirit 1 Corinthians 14:31 - all may learn 2 Corinthians 3:12 - we use Ephesians 4:29 - that which Colossians 4:5 - Walk Hebrews 5:12 - teachers read more
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.With my understanding — In a rational manner; so as not only to understand myself, but to be understood by others. read more
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Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:1-20
1 Corinthians 14. Prophecy and Speaking with Tongues, their Relative Value and their Place in the Church Gathering.— Paul now comes to the direct comparison between the two types of ecstatic speech on which his judgment differed from that prevalent at Corinth. Both prophecy and speaking with tongues were genuine expressions of the Spirit’ s inspiration; Paul himself spoke with tongues more than all ( 1 Corinthians 14:18), and conceded a certain place to them in the assembly ( 1 Corinthians... read more