1 Corinthians 14:20-33 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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:21-25

In this passage the apostle pursues the argument, and reasons from other topics; as, I. Tongues, as the Corinthians used them, were rather a token of judgment from God than mercy to any people (1 Cor. 14:21): In the law (that is, the Old Testament) it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak to this people; and yet for all this they will not hear me, saith the Lord, Isa. 28:11. Compare Deut. 28:46, 49. To both these passages, it is thought, the apostle refers. Both are... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:26-33

In this passage the apostle reproves them for their disorder, and endeavours to correct and regulate their conduct for the future. I. He blames them for the confusion they introduced into the assembly, by ostentation of their gifts (1 Cor. 14:26): When you come together every one hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, etc.; that is, ?You are apt to confound the several parts of worship; and, while one has a psalm to utter by inspiration, another has a doctrine, or revelation;? or else,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:20-25

14:20-25 Brothers, don't be childish in your judgment. True, you must be innocent babes as far as evil goes, but in your judgments you must be mature men. In the law it stands written, "With people of a foreign tongue and with the lips of aliens I will speak to this people, and not even so will they listen to me, says the Lord." So you see tongues are meant for a sign not to believers but to unbelievers. Suppose, then, the whole Christian congregation meets together, and suppose all... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:26-33

14:26-33 What then emerges from all this, brothers? Whenever you meet together, let each have his psalm, let each have his teaching, let each have his message direct from God, let each have his tongue, let each have his interpretation. Let all things be done for the spiritual upbuilding of the congregation. If anyone speaks with a tongue, let it be two, or at the most three, and let them do it by turns, and let one interpret. If there is no interpreter present, let him who has the gift of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:20

Brethren, be not children in understanding ,.... There are some things in children in which it is reproachful for believers to be like them; as nonproficiency in knowledge, want of capacity to receive, bear, and digest strong meat; levity, fickleness, and inconstancy, unskilfulness in the word, deficiency of knowledge, want of understanding, not of things natural, but spiritual and evangelical; which is the more aggravated, since their understandings were opened and enlightened; an... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:21

In the law it is written,.... In Isaiah 28:11 for the word law is not be confined to the five books of Moses, but includes all the writings of the Old Testament; and this entirely agrees with the sense of the Jews. Says R. Azarias F17 Meor. Enayim, c. 7. fol. 47. I. . "is it not to be found with our wise men, of blessed memory, in many places, that the word תורה , "law", comprehends the prophets, and the holy writings?' And he gives an instance out of the Talmud, and which indeed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:22

Wherefore tongues are for a sign ,.... Of wrath and punishment inflicted on a rebellious and unbelieving people, and not of grace and kindness, as prophesying, or speaking to them by the prophets, was; and so this is an inference from what is said in the preceding verse, and shows, that there was no reason why believers should be so very desirous of them. But if these words refer to all that is said before on this subject, the word "sign" may be taken for a miracle; and so a new argument is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:23

If therefore the whole church ,.... The whole congregation of believers incorporated together in a Gospel church state, consisting of its officers and private members; the church at Corinth is particularly designed: be come together in one place ; to worship God, to pray unto him, sing his praise, preach and hear the word, as were usually done. Hence may be observed the custom of the primitive churches to meet together, in some certain place, for divine worship; nor did the members of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:24

But if all prophecy ,.... That is, all that speak publicly in the church, not together, but in their order, one after another, as is hereafter directed: and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned ; an unbeliever that has only the knowledge of his mother tongue, in which prophesying or preaching is used: he is convinced of all, he is judged of all ; of all the prophets or preachers; they all reprove him, and detect his secret, as the Arabic version renders the words;... read more

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:21-25

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:26-33

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:20-25

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:26-33

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:23

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:24

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