As he had previously exhorted them to _follow after the more excellent gifts, _(1 Corinthians 12:31,) so he exhorts them now to _follow after love, _(806) for that was the distinguished excellence, (807) which he had promised that he would show them. They will, therefore, regulate themselves with pr... [ Continue Reading ]
2._For he that speaketh in another _(808) _tongue, speaketh, _etc. He now shows from the effect, why it was that he preferred _prophecy _to other gifts, and he compares it with the gift of _tongues, _in which it is probable the Corinthians exercised themselves the more, because it had more of show c... [ Continue Reading ]
3._He that prophesieth, speaketh unto men _“Prophecy,” says he, “is profitable to all, while a foreign language is a treasure hid in the earth. What great folly, then, it is to spend all one’s time in what is useless, and, on the other hand, to neglect what appears to be most useful!” To _speak to e... [ Continue Reading ]
4._He that speaketh in another tongue, edifieth himself. In _place of what he had said before — that he _speaketh unto God, _he now says — he _speaketh to himself _But whatever is done in the Church, ought to be for the common benefit. Away, then, with that _misdirected _ambition, which gives occasi... [ Continue Reading ]
5._I would that ye all spake with tongues _Again he declares that he does not give such a _preference _to prophecy, as not to leave some place for foreign tongues. This must be carefully observed. For God has conferred nothing upon his Church in vain, and languages were of some benefit. (812) Hence,... [ Continue Reading ]
6._Now, brethren, if I should come. He _proposes himself as an example, because in his person the case was exhibited more strikingly (814) The Corinthians experienced in themselves abundant fruit from his doctrine. He asks them, then, of what advantage it would be to them, if he were to make use of... [ Continue Reading ]
7._Nay even things without life. _He brings forward similitudes, first from musical instruments, and then afterwards from the nature of things generally, there being no voice that has not some peculiarity, suitable for distinction. (815) _“Even things without life,” _says he, _“instruct _us.” There... [ Continue Reading ]
10._None of them dumb _(820) He now speaks in a more general way, for he now takes in the natural voices of animals. He uses the term _dumb _here, to mean _confused _— as opposed to an articulate voice; for the barking of dogs differs from the neighing of horses, and the roaring of lions from the br... [ Continue Reading ]
11._I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian _(822) The tongue ought to be an index of the mind — not merely in the sense of the proverb, but in the sense that is explained by Aristotle in the commencement of his book — “On Interpretation.” (823) How foolish then it is and preposterous in a man,... [ Continue Reading ]
12._Since you are in pursuit of spiritual gifts _Paul concludes that the gift of tongues has not been conferred with the view of giving occasion of boasting to a few, without yielding advantage to the Church. “If spiritual gifts,” says he, “delight you, let the end be edification. _Then _only may yo... [ Continue Reading ]
13._Wherefore let him that speaketh in another tongue _This is an anticipation, by way of reply to a question which might very readily be proposed to him. _“If _any one, therefore, is able to speak a foreign language, will the gift be useless? Why should that be kept back, which might be brought out... [ Continue Reading ]
14._For if I pray in another tongue. _(827) While this example, too, serves to confirm what he has previously maintained, it forms, at the same time, in my opinion, an additional particular. For it is probable that the Corinthians had been in fault in this respect also, that, as they discoursed, so... [ Continue Reading ]
15._I will pray with the spirit _Lest any one should ask, by way of objection, _“Will _the spirit then be useless in prayer?” he teaches, that it is lawful, indeed, to _pray with the spirit, _provided the mind be at the same time employed, that is, the _understanding _He allows, therefore, and sanct... [ Continue Reading ]
16_Else, if thou wilt bless with the spirit. _Hitherto he has been showing, that the prayers of every one of us will be vain and unfruitful, if the understanding does not go along with the voice. He now comes to speak of public prayers also. “If he that frames or utters forth prayers in the name of... [ Continue Reading ]
18._I thank, _etc. As there are many that detract from another’s excellencies, in which they cannot themselves have distinction, Paul, that he might not seem to depreciate, through malignity or envy, the gift of tongues, anticipates that suspicion, by showing that he is, in this respect, superior to... [ Continue Reading ]
19._I would rather speak five words. _This is spoken _hyperbolically, _unless you understand _five words, _as meaning _five sentences. _Now as Paul, who might otherwise have exulted loftily in his power of speaking with tongues, voluntarily abstains from it, and, without any show, aims at _edificati... [ Continue Reading ]
20._Brethren, be not children in understanding _He proceeds a step farther; for he shows that the Corinthians are so infatuated, that they, of their own accord. draw down upon themselves, and eagerly desire, as though it were a singular benefit, what the Lord threatens that he will send, when he des... [ Continue Reading ]
22._Therefore tongues are for a sign _This passage may be explained in two ways, by considering the word _therefore _as referring merely to the preceding sentence, or as having a bearing generally on the whole of the foregoing discussion. If it is a particular inference, the meaning will be — _“ _Yo... [ Continue Reading ]
23._If therefore the whole Church come together _As they did not see their fault, in consequence of having their minds pre-occupied with a foolish and depraved desire, he tells them that they will be exposed to the scorn of the wicked or the unlearned, if any, on coming into their assembly, should h... [ Continue Reading ]
24._But if all prophesy _As he had previously showed them, how much more advantageous prophecy is to _those that are of the household of faith _(Galatians 6:10) than the gift of tongues, so he now shows that it would be useful also to _those that are without. _(1 Corinthians 5:13.) This is a most po... [ Continue Reading ]
25._Falling down on his face, he will worship _For it is only the knowledge of God that can bring down the pride of the flesh. To that, prophecy brings us. Hence, it is its proper effect and nature to bring down men from their loftiness, that they may, with prostrate homage, render worship to God. T... [ Continue Reading ]
26._What is it then? _He now shows the way in which they may remedy those evils. In the first place, each gift must have its place, but in order and in measure. Farther, the Church must not be taken up to no purpose with unprofitable exercises, but must, in whatever is done, have an eye to edificati... [ Continue Reading ]
27._If any one speak in another tongue _He now describes the order and limits the measure. _“If _you have a mind to speak with other tongues,_let only two speak, or, at most, not more than three, and let there be at the same time an interpreter sitting by _Without an interpreter, _tongues _are of no... [ Continue Reading ]
28._Let him speak to himself and to God _“Let him enjoy,” says he, “his gift in his own conscience, and let him give thanks to God.” For in this way I explain the expression to _speak to himself and to God, _as meaning — to recognize in his own mind with thanksgiving the favor conferred upon him, (8... [ Continue Reading ]
29._Prophets, two or three. _As to _prophecy, _too, he prescribes limits, because “multitude,” as they commonly say, “breeds confusion.” This is true, for we know it by every day’s experience. He does not, however, restrict the number so definitely, as when he was treating of tongues, for there is l... [ Continue Reading ]
30._But if anything be revealed to another_. Here is another advantage — that whenever there will be occasion, the way will also be open to them. (866) Hence they have no longer any occasion to complain, that the Spirit is bound, or that his mouth is shut. For all have opportunity and liberty allowe... [ Continue Reading ]
31._You can all, one by one. _In the first place, when he says _all_, he does not include believers universally, but only those that were endowed with this gift. Farther, he does not mean that all ought to have equally their turn, but that, according as it might be for the advantage of the people, e... [ Continue Reading ]
32._And the spirits of the Prophets_. This, too, is one of the reasons, why it is necessary for them to take turns — because it will sometimes happen that, in the doctrine of one Prophet, the others may find something to reprove. “It is not reasonable,” says he, “that any one should be beyond the sp... [ Continue Reading ]
33._For God is not of confusion. _(873) We must understand the word Author, or some term of that kind. (874) Here we have a most valuable statement, by which we are taught, that we do not serve God unless in the event of our being lovers of _peace, _and eager to promote it. Whenever, therefore, ther... [ Continue Reading ]
It appears that the Church of the Corinthians was infected with this fault too, that the talkativeness of women was allowed a place in the sacred assembly, or rather that the fullest liberty was given to it. Hence he forbids them to speak in public, either for the purpose of teaching or of prophesyi... [ Continue Reading ]
35._If they wish to learn any thing. _That he may not seem, by this means, to shut out women from opportunities of learning, he desires them, if they are in doubt as to anything, to inquire in private, that they may not stir up any disputation in public. When he says, _husbands, _he does not prohibi... [ Continue Reading ]
36_Did the word of God come out from you? _This is a somewhat sharper reproof, but nothing more than was needful for beating down the haughtiness of the Corinthians. They were, beyond measure, self-complacent. They could not endure that either themselves, or what belonged to them, should be found fa... [ Continue Reading ]
37._If any one thinks himself. _Mark here the judgment, which he had previously assigned to the Prophets — that they should receive what they recognised as being from God. He does not, however, desire them to inquire as to his doctrine, as though it were a doubtful matter, but to receive it as the s... [ Continue Reading ]
38._But if any man be ignorant _The old translation reads thus: _He that knows not this, will be unknown; _(889) but this is a mistake. For Paul had it in view to cut off every handle from contentious persons, who make no end of disputing, and that, under the pretense of inquiring — as if the matter... [ Continue Reading ]
39._Wherefore, brethren _This is the conclusion in connection with the principal question — that _prophecy _is to be preferred to other gifts, because it is the most useful gift of all, while at the same time other gifts ought not to be despised. We must observe, however, his manner of speaking. For... [ Continue Reading ]
40._All things decently and in order _Here we have a more general conclusion, which does not merely include, in short compass, the entire case, but also the different parts. Nay farther, it is a rule by which we must regulate (893) everything, that has to do with external polity. As he had discourse... [ Continue Reading ]