Observe here, 1. The apostle propounds to the Corinthians. threefold object: CHARITY, SPIRITUAL GIFTS, and PROPHECY. Charity has the precedency and pre-eminency; the apostle not only prefers it before all other gifts, but before the most useful and excellent graces, even faith and hope; for service... [ Continue Reading ]
Here observe, 1. That the gift of tongues, or speaking divers languages, was greatly valued and much desired by some in the church at that time; probably for this reason, because the apostles were very eminently endowed with this gift, the Holy Ghost descending upon them in the shape of cloven tongu... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. Another argument used by the apostle to prove the gift of prophesying, that is, of interpreting the holy scripture, to be far more excellent than the gift of tongues, separated from the gift of interpretation: he that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifies none but himself, because n... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle here proceeds to illustrate his former arguments by. similitude taken from musical instruments, the one used in peace, to wit, the harp; the other in war, to wit, the trumpet; as they are useless, if by distinction their signification is not perceived; for if. man hears not, or understan... [ Continue Reading ]
Here the apostle tells them, That there may probably be as many voices or languages in the world as there are nations; and every nation understands its own language, and commonly no other. Now, says the apostle, if he that has the gift of tongues speak to you in. language which ye understand not, w... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, How strongly the apostle pleads the necessity for all public worship, particularly preaching or prophesying, praying and singing, to be performed in. language known and understood by all the congregation: LET HIM THAT SPEAKETH, preacheth, or teacheth, in an unknown tongue, in which he... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle still goes on, arguing, that public prayers ought to be made in. language understood by them that pray. His argument is this: The heart ought to consent to, and agree with, the supplications and prayers presented unto God, and to testify its consent by saying AMEN; but, says the apostle... [ Continue Reading ]
As if the apostle had said, My brethren, be not like children in understanding, who prefer gay and gaudy things, which make. fine show, as the gift of tongues does, before things more useful. Thus, do not you choose what best pleaseth you, but what most profits others.. would have you indeed in som... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, How the apostle, to take the Corinthians off from their fond admiration of the gift of tongues, tells them, THAT IN THE LAW, that is, in the writings of the Old Testament, particularly in Isaiah 28:11 it is declared, that because the people of Judah would cause them to be spoken to in... [ Continue Reading ]
To convince the Corinthians that prophecy was for more excellent than the gift of tongues, the apostle here argues from the absurdity of speaking in the congregation with. strange tongue uninterpreted; WILL THEY NOT SAY YE ARE MAN? And from the utility and advantage of speaking in. language underst... [ Continue Reading ]
From this verse to the end of the chapter, the apostle lays down particular precepts for the preservation of decency and good order in the church of God; and first he advises, when they came together into the public assemblies, that IF ANY OF THEM HAD. PSALM or hymn suggested to them by the Spirit o... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle's next advice for the church's edification, is this, That such as had the gift of tongues should not speak all together, but two or three successively, one after another; and that one interpret what was so spoken, to the benefit and edifying of the church. But if there were no interpret... [ Continue Reading ]
A farther rule is here given by the apostle for maintaining decency and order in the public assemblies; namely, that the women should never presume to speak or utter any thing as public teachers in the congregation; no, nor so much as ask any question publicly. Almighty God having by his law made su... [ Continue Reading ]
These words are looked upon by interpreters as. smart reflection upon some of the ministers and members of the church at Corinth; who from. high opinion which they had of themselves and their own management, would not submit to the foregoing precepts, canons, and rules, for order and decency in the... [ Continue Reading ]
For. close of the whole, he exhorts them earnestly to endeavour after the gift of prophesying, and not to forbid the use of the gift of tongues, provided the forementioned rules and directions before given be observed: that so in their public assemblies all things relating to religious worship be pe... [ Continue Reading ]