William Burkitt's Expository Notes

1 Corinthians 14:23

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 understood, it convinceth and converteth sinners: He is convinced of all, he is judged of all.

As if the apostle had said, When the church meets together, if all that speak should speak in. strange tongue, what will an ignorant or unbelieving person, coming into the congregation, think or say? Will he not apprehend you to be madmen?

Whereas if all that speak do prophecy and interpret scripture to the edification of the church, in such. case, if an unbeliever comes in, he is convinced, discovered, judged by all them that prophesy, and the secrets of his heart are made manifest to himself: and so, falling down, he will adore God, the searcher of the heart, and report, from his own experience, that God is in or among you of. truth.

Where note, Whence prophesying or preaching of the word has its convincing power, and converting efficacy, namely, from that God who is present in and with his own word: God is in, or with, you of. truth.

When Almighty God quickens the word with his own Spirit, and clothes it with his own power, when he bids it go in his might, and prevail in his strength, the strongest holds of ignorance and unbelief, of obstinacy and rebellion, fall to the ground like the first-ripe figs shaken with the wind: when the unlearned or idiot comes into the assembly of the saints, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all, he falls down and worships.

What is it that works this sudden change?

Not the preaching of men, but the power of God: He will report that God is in you of. truth.

The arm of grace in the ministry of the word is victorious and invincible; the efficacy and success of the word depends not on the parts of. man, but the power of God.

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William Burkitt's Expository Notes

1 Corinthians 14:23

Old Testament

New Testament