Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

1 Corinthians 14:39-40

1 Corinthians 14:39-40 restate the advice of 1 Corinthians 14:1 in the light of the subsequent discussion, moderating the Church's zeal for demonstrative charisms by insisting on the seemliness and good order which had been violated by their unrestrained exercise (1 Corinthians 14:26-33). “And so, my brothers, covet to prophesy”: ζηλοῦτε, cf. 1 Corinthians 12:31; τὸ προφητεύειν replaces by the regular inf [2221] the telic ἵνα προφητεύητε of 1 Corinthians 14:1 (see note). καὶ τὸ λαλεῖν μὴ κωλύετε γλώσσαις, “and the speaking with tongues do not hinder“; this is to be allowed in the Church, but not encouraged like Prophecy, of course with the proviso that the Tongue has its interpreter (1 Corinthians 14:13; 1 Corinthians 14:28). For ὥστε with impv [2222], see 1 Corinthians 4:5, etc. πάντα δὲ γινέσθω : “But let all things be carried on, etc.“: the δὲ attaches this caution specially to 1 Corinthians 14:39; zeal for Prophecy and permission of Glossolalia must be guarded by the observance at all points of decorum and discipline. εὐσχημόνως (see parls., and note on 1 Corinthians 7:35), honeste (Vg [2223]) or decenter; North. Eng. mensefully (cf. Ephesians 4:1; Ephesians 5:4; Ephesians 5:33 above) a sort of “ethical enhancement of the more mechanical κατὰ τάξιν ” (El [2224]). On the latter expression, opp [2225] of ἀτάκτως, cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 f., also 1 Corinthians 11:34 b above: the Cor [2226] would interpret it by P.'s previous instructions his παραδόσεις, ἐντολαί, ὁδοὶ ἐν Χριστῷ and those given in this Ep. εὐσχημόνως demands a right Christian taste and deportment, κατὰ τάξιν a strict Christian method and rule of procedure.

[2221] infinitive mood.

[2222] imperative mood.

[2223] Latin Vulgate Translation.

[2224] C. J. Ellicott's St. Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians.

[2225] opposite, opposition.

[2226] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

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Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

1 Corinthians 14:39-40

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