Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

1 Corinthians 14:29,30

προφῆται δὲ δύο ἢ τρεῖς κ. τ. λ.: “But in the case of prophets, let two or three speak, and let the others discern” (dijudicent, Vg [2159]). In form this sentence varies from the parl [2160] clause respecting the Tongues (1 Corinthians 14:27); see Wr [2161], p. 709, on the frequency of oratio variata in P., due to his vivacity and conversational freedom; the anarthrous προφῆται is quasi-hypothetical, in contrast with γλώσσῃ τις λαλεῖ not “the prophets,” but “supposing they (the speakers) be prophets, let them speak, etc.” The number to prophesy at any meeting in limited to “two or three,” like that of the Tongue-speakers; the condition ἀνὼ μέρος (1 Corinthians 14:27) is self-evident, where edification is consciously intended (1 Corinthians 14:3, etc.). “The others” are the other prophets present, who were competent to speak (1 Corinthians 14:31); these silent prophets may employ themselves in the necessary “discernment of spirits” (see 1 Corinthians 12:10) διακρινέτωσαν, acting as critics of the revelations given through their brethren. The powers of προφητεία and διάκρισις appear to have been frequently combined, like those of artist and art-critic. It is noticed that in the Didaché a contrary instruction to this (and to 1 Thessalonians 5:20 f.) is given: πάντα προφήτην λαλοῦντα ἐν πνεύματι οὐ πειράσετε οὐδὲ διακρινεῖτε. The above regulation implies pre-arrangement amongst the speakers; but this must not hinder the free movement of the Spirit; if a communication be made ex tempore to a silent prophet, the speaker should give way to him: “But if anything be revealed to another seated” (the prophesier stood, as in Synagogue reading and exhortation: Luke 4:1; Acts 13:16), “let the first be silent”. σιγάτω does not command (as σιγησάτω might) an instant cessation; “some token would probably be given, by motion or gesture, that an ἀποκάλυψις had been vouchsafed to another of the προφῆται; this would be a sign to the speaker to close his address, and to let the newly illumined succeed to him” (El [2162]). Even inspired prophets might speak too long and require to be stopped!

[2159] Latin Vulgate Translation.

[2160] parallel.

[2161] Winer-Moulton's Grammar of N.T. Greek (8th ed., 1877).

[2162] C. J. Ellicott's St. Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians.

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Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

1 Corinthians 14:29,30

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