Bible Commentaries

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Corinthians 14

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Introduction

1  Prophecy is commended,
2  and preferred before speaking with tongues,
6  by a comparison drawn from musical instruments.
12  Both must be referred to edification,
22  as to their true and proper end.
26  The true use of each is taught,
27  and the abuse taxed.
34  Women are forbidden to speak in church.
Verse 1

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
Follow
Proverbs 15:9, 21:21, Isaiah 51:1, Romans 9:30, 14:19, 1 Timothy 5:10, 6:11, Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 3:11-13, 3 John 1:11
charity
13:1-8,13, 2 Timothy 2:22, 2 Peter 1:7
desire
12:1,31, Ephesians 1:3
prophesy
3-5,24,25,37,39, 13:2,9, Numbers 11:25-29, Romans 12:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:20, 1 Timothy 4:14
Verse 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.
he that
9-11,16,21,22, Genesis 11:7, 42:23, Deuteronomy 28:49, 2 Kings 18:26, Acts 2:4-11, 10:46, Acts 19:6
understandeth
Gr. heareth.
Acts 22:9
howbeit
2:7,10, 13:2, 15:51, Psalms 49:3,4, 78:2, Matthew 13:11, Mark 4:11, Romans 16:25, Ephesians 3:3-9, 6:19, Colossians 1:26,27, 2:2, 1 Timothy 3:9,16, Revelation 10:7
Verse 3

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
edification
4,12,26, 8:1, 10:23, Acts 9:31, Romans 14:19, 15:2, Ephesians 4:12-16,29, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 1 Timothy 1:4, Jude 1:20
exhortation
Luke 3:18, Acts 13:15, 14:22, 15:32, Romans 12:8, 1 Thessalonians 2:3, 4:1, 5:11,14, 2 Thessalonians 3:12, 1 Timothy 4:13, 6:2, 2 Timothy 4:2, Titus 1:9, 2:6,9,15, Hebrews 3:13, 10:25, Hebrews 13:22, 1 Peter 5:12
comfort
31, 2 Corinthians 1:4, 2:7, Ephesians 6:22, Colossians 4:8, 1 Thessalonians 2:11, 3:2, 4:18, 5:11-14
Verse 4

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
edifieth himself
edifieth the
3,18,19
Verse 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.
would
12:28-30, 13:4, Numbers 11:28,29
for
1,3
except
12,13,26-28, 12:10,30
Verse 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?
what shall I
10:33, 12:7, 13:3, 1 Samuel 12:21, Jeremiah 16:19, 23:32, Matthew 16:26, 2 Timothy 2:14, Titus 3:8, Hebrews 13:9
revelation
26-30, Matthew 11:25, 16:17, 2 Corinthians 12:1,7, Ephesians 1:17, Philippians 3:15
knowledge
12:8, 13:2,8,9, Romans 15:14, 2 Corinthians 11:6, Ephesians 3:4, 2 Peter 1:5, 3:18
prophesying
1, 13:2
doctrine
26, Romans 16:17, 2 Timothy 3:10,16, 4:2, 2 John 1:9
Verse 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?
things
13:1
except
8, Numbers 10:2-10, Matthew 11:17, Luke 7:32
sounds
or, tunes.
Verse 8

For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
Numbers 10:9, Joshua 6:4-20, Judges 7:16-18, Nehemiah 4:18-21, Job 39:24,25, Isaiah 27:13, Amos 3:6, Ephesians 6:11-18
Verse 9

So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
easy
Gr. significant.
for
9:26
Verse 11

Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
I shall
21, Acts 28:2,4, Romans 1:14, Colossians 3:11
Verse 12

Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
forasmuch
1, 12:7,31, Titus 2:14
spiritual gifts
Gr. spirits.
seek
3,4,26
Verse 13

Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
pray
27,28, 12:10,30, Mark 11:24, John 14:13,14, Acts 1:14, 4:29-31, 8:15
Verse 14

For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
my spirit
2,15,16,19
but
That is, "not productive of any benefit to others."
Verse 15

What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
What
10:19, Romans 3:5, 8:31, Philippians 1:18
I will pray with the spirit
19, John 4:23,24, Romans 1:9, Ephesians 5:17-20, 6:18, Colossians 3:16, Jude 1:20
and I will sing
Psalms 47:7, Romans 12:1,2
Verse 16

Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
bless
2,14
unlearned
23,24, Isaiah 29:11,12, John 7:15, Acts 4:13
Amen
11:24, 16:24, Numbers 5:22, Deuteronomy 27:15-26, 1 Kings 1:36, 1 Chronicles 16:36, Psalms 41:13, Psalms 72:19, 89:52, 106:48, Jeremiah 28:6, Matthew 6:13, 28:20, Mark 16:20, John 21:25, Revelation 5:14, 22:20
at
1:4-8
Verse 17

For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
but
4,6
Verse 18

I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
1:4-6, 4:7
Verse 19

Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
in the
4,21,22
Verse 20

Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
not
3:1,2, 13:11, Psalms 119:99, Isaiah 11:3, Romans 16:19, Ephesians 4:14,15, Philippians 1:9, Hebrews 5:12,13, 6:1-3, 2 Peter 3:18
malice
Psalms 131:1,2, Matthew 11:25, 18:3, 19:4, Mark 10:15, 1 Peter 2:2
but
Psalms 119:99
men
Gr. perfect, or, of a ripe age.
2:6, Philippians 3:15
Verse 21

In the 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.
the law
The passage quoted is taken from the prophet Isaiah; but the term torah, Law, was used by the Jews to express the whole Scriptures, law, prophets, and hagiographia; and they used it to distinguish these Sacred Writings from the words of the scribes. It is not taken from the LXX., from which it varies as much as any words can differ from others where the general meaning is similar. It accords much more with the Hebrew; and may be considered as a translation from it; "only what is said of God in the third person, in the Hebrew, is here expressed in the first person, with the addition of [lego kurios
John 10:34, Romans 3:19
With
Deuteronomy 28:49, Isaiah 28:11,12, Jeremiah 5:15
Verse 22

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.
for a
Mark 16:17, Acts 2:6-12,32-36
not to
1 Timothy 1:9
but for
Verse 23

If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
the whole
11:18
will
Hosea 9:7, John 10:20, Acts 2:13, 26:24
Verse 24

But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
he is convinced
2:15, John 1:47-49, 4:29, Acts 2:37, Hebrews 4:12,13
Verse 25

And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
falling
Genesis 44:14, Deuteronomy 9:18, Psalms 72:11, Isaiah 60:14, Luke 5:8, 8:28, Revelation 5:8, 19:4
God is
Isaiah 45:14, Zechariah 8:23
Verse 26

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.
every
6, 12:8-10
Let
4,5,12,40, 12:7, Romans 14:19, 2 Corinthians 12:19, 13:10, Ephesians 4:12,16,29, 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Verse 29

Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
the prophets
39, 12:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21, 1 John 4:1-3
the other
Rather, the others, [loi alloi.]
Verse 30

If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
revealed
6,26
let
Job 32:11,15-20, 33:31-33, 1 Thessalonians 5:19,20
Verse 31

For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
all may learn
3,19,35, Proverbs 1:5, 9:9, Ephesians 4:11,12
all may be
Romans 1:12, 2 Corinthians 1:4, 7:6,7, Ephesians 6:22, 1 Thessalonians 4:18, 5:11,14
Verse 32

And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
29,30, 1 Samuel 10:10-13, 19:19-24, 2 Kings 2:3,5, Job 32:8-11, Jeremiah 20:9, Acts 4:19,20, 1 John 4:1
Verse 33

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
confusion
Gr. tumult, or unquietness. but.
7:15, Luke 2:14, Romans 15:33, Galatians 5:22, 2 Thessalonians 3:16, Hebrews 13:20, James 3:17,18
in
4:17, 7:17, 11:16
Verse 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.
women
11:5, 1 Timothy 2:11,12
they are
35, 11:3,7-10, Ephesians 5:22-24,33, Colossians 3:18, Titus 2:5, 1 Peter 3:1-6
as
21, Genesis 3:16, Numbers 30:3-13, Esther 1:17-20
Verse 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.
let
Ephesians 5:25-27, 1 Peter 3:7
a shame
34, 11:6,14, Ephesians 5:12
Verse 36

What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
came
Isaiah 2:3, Micah 4:1,2, Zechariah 14:8, Acts 13:1-3, 15:35,36, 16:9,10, Acts 17:1,10,11,15, 18:1-17, 2 Corinthians 10:13-16, 1 Thessalonians 1:8
or
4:7
Verse 37

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
any
8:2, 13:1-3, Numbers 24:3,4,16, Romans 12:3, 2 Corinthians 10:7,12, 11:4,12-15, Galatians 6:8
let
7:25,40, Luke 10:16, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, 2 Peter 3:2, 1 John 4:6, Jude 1:17
Verse 38

But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
Hosea 4:17, Matthew 7:6, 15:14, 1 Timothy 6:3-5, 2 Timothy 4:3,4, Revelation 22:11,12
Verse 39

Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
covet
1,3,5,24,25, 12:31, 1 Thessalonians 5:20
Verse 40

Let all things be done decently and in order.
26-33, 11:34, Romans 13:13; *marg:; Colossians 2:5, Titus 1:5

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