1 Corinthians 14:15-19 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:15-20

The apostle here sums up the argument hitherto, and, I. Directs them how they should sing and pray in public (1 Cor. 14:15): What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, etc. He does not forbid their praying or singing under a divine afflatus, or when they were inspired for this purpose, or had such a spiritual gift communicated to them; but he would have them perform both so as to be understood by others, that others... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:1-19

14:1-19 Pursue this love. Covet the spiritual things, especially the gift of forthtelling the truth to others. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one can understand. By the Spirit he speaks things which only the initiated can understand. But he who forthtells the truth to men speaks something which builds them up and encourages them and comforts them. He who speaks in a tongue builds up his own spiritual life, but he who forthtells the truth builds up the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:15

What is it then ?.... A Talmudic way of speaking, and answers to מהו , often used when a difficulty arises in any case, then the question is, "what is it then?" what is to be done? what is most prudent, advisable, and eligible? what is proper to be determined and resolved on in such a case? the same with τι ουν λεκτεον , "what then is to be said?" used by Philo the Jew F2 Leg. Alleg. l. 1. p. 48. : as here, shall I not pray with the Spirit at all, because my understanding, or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:16

Else when thou shall bless with the spirit ,.... Which must be understood of giving thanks to God, not in a private way, in the family and at meals, but in a public manner before the whole congregation, for mercies temporal and spiritual, especially the latter; and that not with the breath, or voice only; nor with the affections of the heart, with the soul, and all that is within it, though that is what should be; nor with the common assistance of the Spirit, and under the influence of his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:17

For thou verily givest thanks well ,.... In very proper words, and pertinent expressions, with great affection and devotion, suitable to the service; but the other is not edified ; the rest of the people, who do not understand the language in which thanks are given; "thy friend", as the Syriac version reads it; or thy next neighbour, he that stands by thee, receives no manner of profit by it, because he does not understand what is said. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:18

I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all. This the apostle says, to observe to them that he did not despise speaking with tongues: nor did he endeavour to beat them off, and dissuade them from desiring them, or envied their having them, because he was destitute of them himself; for he had this gift in a very eminent manner, and oftentimes made use of it, and was frequently under a necessity of so doing; he could speak with more tongues than any of those that had them, and spoke... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:19

Yet in the church I had rather speak five words ,.... Referring not to the five books of Moses, as Jerom suggests, and much less, as the Papists say, to the five words, "for this is my body"; by the muttering of which they suppose the bread in the Lord's supper to be transubtantiated into the body of Christ; but meaning a very few words, which he chose to speak in the church before the congregation, when and where saints were met together for public worship, for their edification and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:16

He that occupieth the room of the unlearned - One who is not acquainted with the language in which you speak, sing, or pray. Say Amen - Give his assent and ratification to what he does not understand. It was very frequent in primitive times to express their approbation in the public assemblies by Amen. This practice, soberly and piously conducted, might still be of great use in the Church of Christ. This response was of the highest authority and merit among the Jews; they even promised... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:17

Thou verily givest thanks well - Because he felt gratitude, and, from a sense of his obligation, gave praise to God; but because this was in an unknown tongue, those who heard him received no edification. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:18

I speak with tongues more than ye all - He understood more languages than any of them did: and this was indispensably necessary, as he was the apostle of the Gentiles in general, and had to preach to different provinces where different dialects, if not languages, were used. In the Hebrew, Syriac, Greek, and Latin, he was undoubtedly well skilled from his education; and how many he might understand by miraculous gift we cannot tell. But, even literally understood, it is very probable that he... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:15-20

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:1-19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:18

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