4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue(J) edifies(K) themselves, but the one who prophesies(L) edifies the church. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening,(H) encouraging(I) and comfort. Perhaps Paul is saying that tongues are indeed a sign to unbelievers, but not a positive sign. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order. If nobody can understand what is being said, the church is not being built up (1 Corinthians 14:1–17). 20 Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 34 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. 1 Corinthians 14 Intelligibility in Worship 1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. (AQ) Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other … Language plain and easy to be understood, is the most proper for public worship, and other religious exercises. The Spirit of Christ can never contradict itself; and if their revelations are against those of the apostle, they do not come from the same Spirit. (1-5) The unprofitableness of speaking in unknown languages. An interpreter was necessary for those present to understand and benefit from what the tongues-speaker was saying in a strange language ( 1 Corinthians 14:5; 1 Corinthians 14:13). 3. God never teaches men to neglect their duties, or to act in any way unbecoming their age or station.34-40 When the apostle exhorts Christian women to seek information on religious subjects from their husbands at home, it shows that believing families ought to assemble for promoting spiritual knowledge. 1 So, you must always want to love other people. 14 Follow the way of love(A) and eagerly desire(B) gifts of the Spirit,(C) especially prophecy. No advantage can be reaped from the most excellent discourses, if delivered in language such as the hearers cannot speak or understand. 39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 2 You know that n when you were pagans o you were led astray to p mute idols , however you were led . or came it unto you only? 1 Corinthians 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? 1 Corinthians 14:34, ESV: "the women should keep silent in the churches.For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says." 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. That cannot answer the end of speaking, which has no meaning; in this case, speaker and hearers are barbarians to each other. This drew attention, more than the plain interpretation of Scripture; it gratified pride more, but promoted the purposes of Christian charity less; it would not equally do good to the souls of men. Let all things be done unto edifying. (AD) In regard to evil be infants,(AE) but in your thinking be adults. 1 Corinthians 14:21 Isaiah 28:11,12; 1 Corinthians 14:34 Or peace. They are not allowed to speak,(AZ) but must be in submission,(BA) as the law(BB) says. 1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. The spiritual gift of prophecy was largely a teaching gift (1 Corinthians 14:3), but also included, at least in some cases, the ability to foretell future events. The most useful gift, in Paul's opinion, is prophecy. They are a sign of judgment, as the unknown tongues of the Assyrians were in Isaiah’s day. 29 Two or three prophets(AS) should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. There seems to be a contradiction between 1 Corinthians 14:22 and 1 Corinthians 14:23-25. ii. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 14 s Pursue love, and t earnestly desire the u spiritual gifts, especially that you may v prophesy. The way to keep peace, truth, and order in the church, is to seek that which is good for it, to bear with that which is not hurtful to its welfare, and to keep up good behaviour, order, and decency.Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710. Bible / Our Library / Bible Commentaries / Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete) / 1 Corinthians / 1 Corinthians 14; Share Tweet. Right, so love is the most important thing, but if you're going to use your spiritual gifts, use them wisely. Numbers 10:2-10 Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps… Matthew 11:17 2 For w one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. Every true follower of Christ will rather desire to do good to others, than to get a name for learning or fine speaking.15-25 There can be no assent to prayers that are not understood. Children are apt to be struck with novelty; but do not act like them. A truly Christian minister will seek much more to do spiritual good to men's souls, than to get the greatest applause to himself. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue # 14:2 Or in another language; also in verses 4, 13, 14, 19, 26 and 27 does not speak to people but to God. 1 Corinthians 14:2; 1 Corinthians 14:10-11; 1 Corinthians 14:13, et al.). (AI) 24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets(AJ) of their hearts are laid bare. Tongue-Tied. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. More than anything else, want to speak messages from God. ÷1 CORINTHIANS 14:37-38. 29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 37 If anyone thinks they are a prophet(BD) or otherwise gifted by the Spirit,(BE) let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. 10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. (6-14) Exhortations to worship that can be understood. 4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. (AU) 33 For God is not a God of disorder(AV) but of peace(AW)—as in all the congregations(AX) of the Lord’s people. I will pray with my spirit,(X) but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing(Y) with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 26 How is it then, brethren? 15 So what shall I do? Scripture truth, plainly and duly taught, has a wonderful power to awaken the conscience and touch the heart.26-33 Religious exercises in public assemblies should have this view; Let all be done to edifying. (AB), 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. Prophecy and Tongues. 5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. What cannot be understood, never can edify. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. Even fervent, spiritual affection must be governed by the exercise of the understanding, else men will disgrace the truths they profess to promote.6-14 Even an apostle could not edify, unless he spoke so as to be understood by his hearers. They are a sign of judgment, as the unknown tongues of the Assyrians were in Isaiah’s day. To speak words that have no meaning to those who hear them, is but speaking into the air. 1 Corinthians 14:34 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] 1 Corinthians 14:34, NIV: "Women should remain silent in the churches.They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says." This principle is illustrated by a series of analogies from music (1 Cor 14:7–8) and from ordinary human speech (1 Cor 14:10–11); it is applied to the case at hand in 1 Cor 14:9, 12. 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 7 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? 2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. (Q) 7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? All rights reserved worldwide. 17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 21 In the Law(AF) it is written: “With other tongues    and through the lips of foreignersI will speak to this people,    but even then they will not listen to me,(AG)says the Lord.”[e], 22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy,(AH) however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. * [14:6–12] Sound, in order to be useful, must be intelligible. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”(AK). 39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager(BG) to prophesy,(BH) and do not forbid speaking in tongues. (V) 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays,(W) but my mind is unfruitful. 20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. for ye shall speak into the air. 3 But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? As to the speaking in an unknown tongue, if another were present who could interpret, two miraculous gifts might be exercised at once, and thereby the church be edified, and the faith of the hearers confirmed at the same time. For the one who speaks in an unknown language is not speaking to men, but to God; for no one understands him.And indeed, what he speaks in his spirit is a mystery. 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 16 Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer,[d] say “Amen”(Z) to your thanksgiving,(AA) since they do not know what you are saying? 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