Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

1 Corinthians 12:10

ἐνεργήματα δυνάμεων. Literally, results produced by the active exercise of supernatural powers, as in Acts 5:1-11; Acts 9:40; Acts 13:11; Acts 16:18. For δύναμις in the sense of miracle, i.e. mighty work, see Matthew 7:22; Matthew 11:20.

προφητεία. See note on ch. 1 Corinthians 14:1.

διακρίσεις. See note on 1 Corinthians 11:29. Here it signifies the faculty of forming a correct judgment on the nature of spiritual utterances. Cf. 1 John 4:1. The word only occurs here and in Romans 14:1 and Hebrews 5:14. In the former place, it is rendered in A.V. by an adjective, ‘doubtful’; literally, discerning of disputations; in the latter by a verb.

γένη γλωσσῶν. These were either (1) outpourings of prayer and praise in a language unknown to the speaker or (2) (as Dean Alford in loc.) in a language not ordinarily intelligible to any man. The gift of tongues may possibly have included both (see notes on ch. 14). But it is impossible—with Acts 2:9-11 before us, and bearing in mind the fact adduced by Bishop Wordsworth in his commentary on that passage, that we never hear of any one of the Apostles sitting down to learn a foreign language, whereas with all other missionaries this is generally the first thing of which we are told—to exclude the idea of foreign languages here. ‘Qui multis gentibus annunciaturus erat, multarum linguarum acceperat gratiam.’ Jerome.

ἑρμηνεία γλωσσῶν. See ch. 1 Corinthians 14:5; 1 Corinthians 14:13; 1 Corinthians 14:26-27. Thus men receive the gift of intellect, the gift of acquaintance with facts and the thoughts of men, the gift of strong reliance on God, the gift of supernatural powers, the gift of eloquence, the gift of sound judgment, the gift of language either as a speaker or an interpreter—all gifts most useful to the Church. In the list of offices in 1 Corinthians 12:28 sqq. the same order is followed. See Appendix to Horsley’s Sermons, Vol. I. Serm. XIV.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

1 Corinthians 12:10

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