Follow (1) after charity, and desire spiritual [gifts], but rather that ye may (a) prophesy. (1) He infers now of what he spoke before: therefore seeing charity is the chiefest of all, before all things set it before you as chief and principal. And so esteem those things as most excellent which pro... [ Continue Reading ]
(2) For he that speaketh in an [unknown] (b) tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth [him]; howbeit in the (c) spirit he speaketh mysteries. (2) He reprehends their perverse judgment concerning the gift of tongues. For why was it given? The answer: so that the mysteries... [ Continue Reading ]
But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men [to] (d) edification, and exhortation, and comfort. (d) Which may further men in the study of godliness.... [ Continue Reading ]
He that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the (e) church. (e) The company.... [ Continue Reading ]
(3) And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? (3) He sets forth that which he said by a similitude, which he borrows and takes from instruments of music, which although they speak not... [ Continue Reading ]
So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words (f) easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. (f) That fitly utter the matter itself.... [ Continue Reading ]
(4) There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them [is] without signification. (4) He proves that interpretation is necessarily to be joined with the gift of tongues, by the manifold variety of languages, insomuch that if one speak to another without an interpreter, it... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that (g) speaketh [shall be] a barbarian unto me. (g) As the papists in all their sermons, and they that ambitiously pour out some Hebrew or Greek words in the pulpit before the unlearned people,... [ Continue Reading ]
(5) Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. (5) The conclusion: if they will excel in those spiritual gifts, as it is proper, they must seek the profit of the church. And therefore they must not use the gift of tongues, unl... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore let him that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue (h) pray that he may interpret. (h) Pray for the gift of interpretation.... [ Continue Reading ]
(6) For (i) if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my (k) spirit prayeth, but my understanding is (l) unfruitful. (6) A reason: because it is not sufficient for us to speak so in the congregation that we ourselves worship God in spirit (that is according to the gift which we have received), but we must... [ Continue Reading ]
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the (m) understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. (m) So that I may be understood by others, and may instruct others.... [ Continue Reading ]
(7) Else when thou shalt bless with the (n) spirit, how shall he that (o) occupieth the room of the unlearned say (p) Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? (7) Another reason: seeing that the whole congregation must agree with him that speaks, and also witness... [ Continue Reading ]
(8) I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: (8) He sets himself as an example, both that they may be ashamed of their foolish ambition, and also that he may avoid all suspicion of envy.... [ Continue Reading ]
Yet in the church I had rather speak (q) five words with my understanding, that [by my voice] I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an [unknown] tongue. (q) A very few words.... [ Continue Reading ]
(9) Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. (9) Now he reproves those freely for their childish folly, who do not see how this gift of tongues which was given to the profit of the Church, is turned by their ambition into an instrume... [ Continue Reading ]
In the (r) law it is written, With [men of] other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. (r) By the "law" he understands the entire scripture.... [ Continue Reading ]
(10) Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying [serveth] not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. (10) The conclusion: therefore the gift of tongues serves to punish the unfaithful and unbelievers, unless it is referr... [ Continue Reading ]
(11) If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in [those that are] (s) unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? (11) Another argument: the gift of tongues without prophecy is not only unprofitable to the faithful,... [ Continue Reading ]
(12) How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. (12) The conclusion: the edifying of the congregation is a rule and measure of the right use of all s... [ Continue Reading ]
(13) If any man speak in an [unknown] tongue, [let it be] by two, or at the most [by] three, and [that] by course; and let one interpret. (13) The manner how to use the gift of tongues. It may be lawful for one or two, or at the most for three, to use the gift of tongues, one after another in an as... [ Continue Reading ]
(14) Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. (14) The manner of prophesying: let two or three propound, and let the others judge of that which is propounded, whether it is agreeable to the word of God or not. If in this examination the Lord indicates that nothing was wrong, le... [ Continue Reading ]
And the (t) spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. (t) The doctrine which the prophets bring, who are inspired with God's Spirit.... [ Continue Reading ]
(15) Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law. (15) Women are commanded to be silent in public assemblies, and they are commanded to ask of their husbands at home.... [ Continue Reading ]
(16) What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? (16) A general conclusion of the treatise of the right use of spiritual gifts in assemblies. And this is with a sharp reprehension, lest the Corinthians might seem to themselves to be the only ones who are wise.... [ Continue Reading ]
If any man think himself to be a prophet, or (u) spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. (u) Skilful in knowing and judging spiritual things.... [ Continue Reading ]
(17) But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. (17) The church ought not to care for those who are stubbornly ignorant, and will not abide to be taught, but to go forward nonetheless in those things which are right.... [ Continue Reading ]
(18) Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. (18) Prophecy ought certainly to be retained and kept in congregations, and the gift of tongues is not to be forbidden, but all things must be done orderly.... [ Continue Reading ]