Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

1 Corinthians 14:29

προφῆται δὲ δύο ἢ τρεῖς. The same rule was to hold good of preaching. Those who felt that they had something to communicate must notwithstanding be governed by the desire to edify their brethren. The Church was not to be wearied out by an endless succession of discourses, good indeed in themselves, but addressed to men who were not in a condition to profit by them. It would seem that two or three discourses, either in the vernacular, or if there were any one present who could interpret, in some foreign tongue, took the place in Apostolic times of the modern sermon. ‘Let the presbyters one by one, not all together, exhort the people, and the Bishop last of all, as the commander.’ Apostolical Constitutions (circ. A.D. 250), II. 57.

καὶ οἱ ἄλλοι διακρινέτωσαν. See 1 Corinthians 11:29; 1 Corinthians 11:31, notes. Either (1) the other prophets, or (2) the whole congregation. If the former be the correct interpretation, it refers to the gifts of discerning of spirits (ch. 1 Corinthians 12:10). The latter may be defended on the ground that St Paul constantly (ch. 1 Corinthians 10:15; 1 Corinthians 11:13) appeals to the judgment of his disciples, and that he considered (ch. 1 Corinthians 12:1-3, cf. 1 John 2:21-27) that all the people of God had the faculty of discerning the spiritual value to themselves of what they heard in the congregation. But 1 Corinthians 14:30 supports (1), as does also the fact that ἄλλος and not ἕτερος is used. See 1 Corinthians 14:18.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

1 Corinthians 14:29

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