1 Corinthians 14:20-40 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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:34-35

Here the apostle, 1. Enjoins silence on their women in public assemblies, and to such a degree that they must not ask questions for their own information in the church, but ask their husbands at home. They are to learn in silence with all subjection; but, says the apostle, I suffer them not to teach, 1 Tim. 2:11, 12. There is indeed an intimation (1 Cor. 11:5) as if the women sometimes did pray and prophecy in their assemblies, which the apostle, in that passage, does not simply condemn, but... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:36-40

In these verses the apostle closes his argument, 1. With a just rebuke of the Corinthians for their extravagant pride and self-conceit: they so managed with their spiritual gifts as no church did like them; they behaved in a manner by themselves, and would not easily endure control nor regulation. Now, says the apostle, to beat down this arrogant humour, ?Came the gospel out from you? Or came it to you only? 1 Cor. 14:36. Did Christianity come our of Corinth? was its original among you? Or, if... 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

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:34-40

14:34-40 Let women keep silent in the congregation, for it is not permitted to them to speak, but let them be in subjection even as the law says. If they wish to learn about anything, let them question their husbands at home. It is a shameful thing for a woman to speak in the congregation. Was it from you that God's word went out? Or, was it to you alone that it came? If anyone thinks that he is a forthteller of the truth, or that he has a special spiritual gift, let him understand... 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

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:34-35

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:36-40

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

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

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:34-40

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

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

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