_(e) Spiritual Gifts (iii) The Gift of Tongues subordinate to Prophecy_ The Apostle in this chapter deals with the abuse of the gift of tongues which characterised the Corinthians, and declares that it is inferior to the gift of prophecy, though valuable enough in itself if kept in proper control. S... [ Continue Reading ]
FOLLOW AFTER CHARITY] Seek a loving spirit before all things. AND DESIRE] RV 'yet desire earnestly' (cp. 1 Corinthians 12:31); do not neglect other gifts. BUT RATHER THAT] and more especially that. PROPHESY] inspired preaching; declaring God's mind. A prophet in Scripture does not simply foretell th... [ Continue Reading ]
AN _UNKNOWN_ TONGUE] RV omits 'unknown': so throughout the chapter IN AV it is in italics, merely added as an explanation or interpretation.... [ Continue Reading ]
EDIFIETH (RM 'buildeth up') HIMSELF] by conscious communion with God.... [ Continue Reading ]
EXCEPT I SHALL SPEAK TO YOU] i.e. in addition to (or instead of) speaking with tongues. A rhapsody of praise imparts little truth to others.... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THE TONGUE] i.e. with your tongue, the instrument of speech. 10, 11. KINDS OF VOICES] i.e. languages. Barbarian] i.e. foreigner.... [ Continue Reading ]
EXCEL] RV 'abound,' i.e. in these gifts.... [ Continue Reading ]
PRAY THAT HE MAY INTERPRET] i.e. pray for the ability to make known to others the meaning of the impassioned words in which he has poured out his spirit.... [ Continue Reading ]
IS UNFRUITFUL] is of no use to myself or to any one else.... [ Continue Reading ]
BLESS.. GIVING OF THANKS] Probably no special reference to the Eucharist. It is clear that public worship was largely at least extempore. EVERY MEMBER WHO WAS moved to do so, contributed to the edification of the congregation, by psalm, or prayer, or exhortation, or explanation: cp. 1 Corinthians 14... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE CHURCH] i.e. at a Church assembly. St. Paul insists upon Church worship being really 'common prayer,' each worshipper joining intelligently in what is said. 20-25. Prophecy is better than 'tongues' for convincing unbelievers. PARAPHRASE. '(20) Do not reason like children, but like grown men:... [ Continue Reading ]
BE NOT CHILDREN] who seek the showy rather than the useful: cp. Matthew 10:16; Romans 16:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE LAW] i.e. the OT. (Isaiah 28:11). As God confounded the unbelieving Jews who rejected Isaiah's plain warnings as folly, by bringing upon them invaders (Assyrians) of unintelligible speech, so tongues are meant to impress unbelievers, as a sign of the existence of spiritual influences; but, as... [ Continue Reading ]
TONGUES] were valuable to unbelievers as a sign of the Spirit's presence, but not for believers, who already were convinced of it, and who could appreciate prophecy.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL SPEAK WITH TONGUES] Not necessarily all at once, but one after another, leaving space for nothing else. UNLEARNED] cp. 1 Corinthians 14:16 any one not understanding this gift.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE IS CONVINCED OF ALL] 'His conscience is aroused and awed by this united testimony to truth' (Massie).... [ Continue Reading ]
IN YOU OF A TRUTH] 'among you indeed.' 26-33. Regulations for the exercise of the various gifts. PARAPHRASE. '(26) Now, brethren, I hear that there is much disorder in your worship, each of you being eager to utter his psalm, or lesson, or rhapsody, or interpretation, or exhortation, and apt to int... [ Continue Reading ]
EVERY ONE OF YOU] The right of taking the lead in public worship was practically unrestrained at Corinth; and the need of regulation is here made very manifest. HATH A PSALM] i.e. to sing (cp. Ephesians 5:19); either from the OT., or else impromptu: cp. the Magnificat, Benedictus, Nunc Dimittis. Doc... [ Continue Reading ]
BY TWO] i.e. two or, at most, three may speak in succession, if there is an interpreter.... [ Continue Reading ]
SPEAK TO HIMSELF, AND TO GOD] i.e. use this gift at home, not in public worship.... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THE OTHER (RV 'others') JUDGE] whether the speakers have a message from God: cp. 1 Corinthians 12:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
BE REVEALED TO ANOTHER] The speaker is to conclude if he perceive another has received a sudden revelation.... [ Continue Reading ]
COMFORTED] i.e. encouraged, exhorted.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SPIRITS OF THE PROPHET, etc.] So let none maintain he must speak, or cannot stop. 33. _The author_] RV '_a God._' Not confusion, but peace, is to His mind: cp. Romans 15:33. AS IN all CHURCHES OF THE SAINTS] i.e. all Christian communities. This clause belongs to the whole preceding paragraph, 'S... [ Continue Reading ]
AS ALSO SAITH THE LAW] Genesis 3:16 : cp. 1 Timothy 2:13;... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THEY WILL LEARN ANY THING] Perhaps some had expressed their own opinions under cover of seeking information. THEIR HUSBANDS] Most would be married; speaking would be still more unsuitable for the unmarried.... [ Continue Reading ]
CAME THE WORD OF GOD OUT FROM YOU?] RV 'Was it from you that the word of God went forth? or came it unto you alone?'; i.e. you are neither the original nor the only Church; what are you that you diverge from the general practice and set up a standard of your own? The Apostle here falls back again on... [ Continue Reading ]
SPIRITUAL] i.e. possessing spiritual gifts. LET HIM ACKNOWLEDGE] If their claim to have the Spirit is true, they will recognise the authority of these regulations. THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD] cp. 1 Corinthians 7:10 contrast 1 Corinthians 7:25; 1 Corinthians 7:40.... [ Continue Reading ]
LET HIM BE IGNORANT] RM 'If any man knoweth not, he is not known,' i.e. God does not recognise him. But perhaps the Apostle means, 'If any man will not learn, then he must just abide in his ignorance, with all its inevitable loss': cp. Revelation 22:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
COVET TO PROPHESY] This is to be 'earnestly desired' (RV); tongues are merely allowed.... [ Continue Reading ]
DECENTLY] i. e. in a becoming and proper way. The principles St. Paul keeps steadily in view are, (1) Public worship must be edifying to all; (2) it must be conducted in good order.... [ Continue Reading ]