1 Corinthians 14:2-13

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:1-5

The apostle, in the foregoing chapter, had himself preferred, and advised the Corinthians to prefer, Christian charity to all spiritual gifts. Here he teaches them, among spiritual gifts, which they should prefer, and by what rules they should make comparison. He begins the chapter, I. With an exhortation to charity (1 Cor. 14:1): Follow after charity, pursue it. The original, diokete, when spoken of a thing, signifies a singular concern to obtain it; and is commonly taken in a good and... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:6-14

In this paragraph he goes on to show how vain a thing the ostentation of speaking unknown and unintelligible language must be. It was altogether unedifying and unprofitable (1 Cor. 14:6): If I come to you speaking with tongues, what will it profit you, unless I speak to you by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? It would signify nothing to utter any of these in an unknown tongue. An apostle, with all his furniture, could not edify, unless he spoke to the capacity of... 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 14:2

For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue ,.... Or with tongues, as some copies and the Ethiopic version read: Dr. Lightfoot thinks, that the Hebrew tongue, which was become a dead language, and understood but by few, is here meant, and that not without reason; seeing the public prayers, preaching, and singing of psalms among the Jews, were in this languages F24 Vid. Gloss. in T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 3. 1. & in Yoma, fol. 20. 2. ; in imitation of whom, such ministers, who had the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:3

But he that prophesieth ,.... Preaches, prays, or sings, in a language understood by the common people: speaketh unto men to edification ; to the building of them up in Christ, and on their most holy faith, so that they grow up as an holy temple to the Lord: and exhortation; to the more vigorous exercise of grace, and the more cheerful and fervent discharge of duty: and comfort ; of distressed minds, either through the temptations of Satan, or divine desertions, or inward... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:4

He that speaketh its an unknown tongue ,.... Be it the Hebrew language, or any other; some copies, and the Ethiopic version, read, "with tongues": edifieth himself ; his heart may be warmed, his affections raised, his devotion kept up, and he be in a very spiritual and comfortable frame, knowing and understanding what he himself says: but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church : which is the great end of the Gospel ministry, which is for the edifying the body of the church:... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:5

I would that ye all spake with tongues ,.... This the apostle says, to prevent being misunderstood; for his view was not to bring the gift of tongues into contempt, or to represent it as at all times, and on all occasions, useless and insignificant; nor would he be thought to envy them this gift, or beat them off of desiring it; for, for his own part, he could wish they all had it, was it the will of God; though he must needs say, that prophesying was most desirable by him, as being most... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:6

Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues ,.... The apostle exemplifies this matter in himself, and supposes it his own case, that should he who was the apostle of the Gentiles, and to be received by them as such, when he came to them, come with this gift of tongues, which he was capable of, as much, or more than any, see 1 Corinthians 14:18 and only make use of that, what shall I profit you ? of what use would my ministry be to you? what instruction, comfort, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:7

And even things without life giving sound ,.... He instances in things inanimate, that have neither reason, sense, nor life, in musical instruments, and these of various sorts: whether pipe or harp ; wind music, or hand music; either that which is blown with the breath, or pressed or stricken with the hand: except they give a distinction in the sounds ; or "tunes", so as one may be discerned from another; as that this is such a musical note, and that is another: how shall it be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:8

For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound ,.... That is not plain and manifest, so as that it cannot be known on what account it is given: who shall prepare himself to the battle ? the allusion is to the custom of many nations, Jews and others, who, when about to engage in war, made use of musical instruments, particularly the trumpet, to gather the soldiers together, prepare them for the battle, give them notice of it, and animate them to it F25 Vid Alex. ab Alex. Genial. Dier. l.... read more

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