1Cor 14 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Cor 14:1-25: 14:1-25 Having emphasized the supreme importance of love (ch 13 ), Paul returns to the subject of spiritual gifts. Their relative value is defined by the benefit they give to others, which is characteristic of love (ch 13 ). In that light, Paul contrasts the over-valued gift of tongues with the more beneficial gift of prophecy. 14:1 Of all the special abilities the Spirit gives (see study note on 12:1–14:40), Paul encourages the Corinthians to seek the ability to prophesy (see 12:10 ) because of its greater benefit to the church.

Summary for 1Cor 14:1-25: 14:1-25 ^a Having emphasized the supreme importance of love (ch 13 ^b), Paul returns to the subject of spiritual gifts. Their relative value is defined by the benefit they give to others, which is characteristic of love (ch 13 ^c). In that light, Paul contrasts the over-valued gift of tongues with the more beneficial gift of prophecy. 14:1 ^d Of all the special abilities the Spirit gives (see study note on 12:1–14:40), Paul encourages the Corinthians to seek the ability to prophesy (see 12:10 ^e) because of its greater benefit to the church.
Summary for 1Cor 14:2-4: 14:2-4 ^f The problem with the gift of speaking in tongues is that hearers cannot readily understand the message; the gift of prophecy, however, is immediately intelligible and beneficial as a word from God that strengthens ... encourages ... and comforts those who hear.
14:4 ^g The primary purpose of spiritual gifts is not self-edification, but the strengthening of the entire church (see 12:7 ^h; cp. 8:1 ⁱ; 14:12 ^j).
Summary for 1Cor 14:7-12: 14:7-12 ^k A message needs to be clearly intelligible if it is to communicate effectively.
14:12 ^l Special abilities from the Spirit are given to strengthen the whole church (see 12:7 ^m; 14:4 ⁿ; cp. Eph 4:15-16 ^o).
14:13 ^p Paul does not forbid speaking in tongues (see 14:39 ^q), but the ability to interpret is crucial, especially in public worship (see 14:27-28 ^r).
14:14 ^s Speaking in tongues engages the spirit of the speaker (because the Holy Spirit is speaking through the person) but not his mind (because the message is not rationally intelligible).
Summary for 1Cor 14:15-17: 14:15-17 ^t It is preferable both to worship in the spirit and to use words I understand in worship and ministry because public worship should always bless both God and others. Speaking in tongues without interpretation, though it gives glory to God and edification to the speaker (14:4 ^u), fails to benefit others who are present.

• praise God along with you (literally say “amen” to your thanksgiving): Amen was the traditional congregational response to a prayer.
Summary for 1Cor 14:18-19: 14:18-19 ^v Paul affirmed the personal value of speaking in tongues, but speaking in a church meeting should help others, not only the speaker.
14:20 ^w To be mature in understanding such matters, one must consider the purpose of spiritual gifts and not treat them as ends in themselves for one’s own enjoyment.
Summary for 1Cor 14:21-25: 14:21-25 ^x Paul used this quotation from Isa 28:11-12 ^y to show that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. However, in 1 Cor 14:23-25 ^z, Paul argues that even unbelievers are more likely to be convicted by a word of prophecy than by speaking in tongues. His point is that, in public worship, the gift of prophecy is of greater usefulness than the gift of tongues.
14:25 ^aa “God is truly here among you.” Paul is alluding to Isa 45:14 ^ab.
Summary for 1Cor 14:26-40: 14:26-40 ^ac Paul gives specific procedures for the use of spiritual gifts in the church and emphasizes that they are to be expressed in an orderly way. Among the early Christians, church meetings were not led by professional pastors or priests. Instead, everyone shared with the others what God had given them for strengthening the church. 14:26 ^ad will sing: Literally has a psalm, either to be sung alone or for the fellowship to sing together (cp. Eph 5:19 ^ae; Col 3:16 ^af).

• Everything that is done in public worship is to be for the purpose of strengthening the church (see 1 Cor 12:7 ^ag; 14:4 ^ah, 6 ^ai, 12 ^aj, 26 ^ak; cp. 8:1 ^al).
Summary for 1Cor 14:27-28: 14:27-28 ^am For a church overly eager for the gift of tongues (see 12:10 ^an), Paul places limits on its public expression so it would be most helpful to the church: no more than two or three, ... one at a time, and only if there is someone present who can interpret the message.
Summary for 1Cor 14:29-32: 14:29-32 ^ao Public prophesying is to be expressed in an orderly way, sensitive to the guidance of the Spirit, so that everyone may benefit from it. The others are then to evaluate what is said to assess whether it is indeed a word from God (1 Thes 5:19-21 ^ap). Those with a word of prophecy are to take turns—prophecy is a divinely given word, but it is still subject to the control of the speaker.
Summary for 1Cor 14:34-35: 14:34-35 ^aq This aside in the discussion on using spiritual gifts reflects a perspective on women’s roles similar to that of the Pastoral Letters (see 1 Tim 2:11-15 ^ar).

• Paul advises women to be silent and submissive in church meetings. This instruction is to be understood in light of 1 Cor 11:5 ^as, which clearly implies that women are permitted to pray and prophesy publicly.

• just as the law says: Possibly referring to Gen 3:16 ^at.
Summary for 1Cor 14:36-37: 14:36-37 ^au Paul expected the Corinthians to take his apostolic word seriously, as a command from the Lord himself.

• What I am saying probably refers to all of his teaching, especially as it relates to spiritual gifts.
Summary for 1Cor 14:39-40: 14:39-40 ^av Paul summarizes his discussion of spiritual gifts (chs 12–14 ^aw).