1Cor 14:27, 39 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 27. Let it be by two, or at the most by three . That is, two, or at most three in one day, or in one meeting. So Grotius, Rosenmuller, Doddridge, Bloomfield, and Locke understand it. It is probable that many were endowed with the gift of tongues; and it is certain that they were disposed to exercise the gift even when it could be of no real advantage, and when it was done only for ostentation. Paul had shown to them ( ) that the main design of the gift of tongues was to convince unbelievers; he here shows them that if that gift was exercised in the church, it should be in such a way as to promote edification. They should not speak at the same time; nor should they regard it as necessary that all should speak at the same meeting. It should not be so as to produce disorder and confusion; nor should it be so as to detain the people beyond a reasonable time. The speakers, therefore, in any one assembly, should not exceed two or three. And that by course . Separately; one after another. They should not all speak at the same time. And let one interpret . One who has the gift of interpreting foreign languages, ( ,) so that they may be understood, and the church be edified. (+) "tongue" "language" (++) "by course" "In succession"

1 Corinthians 14:27

Verse 27. Let it be by two, or at the most by three. That is, two, or at most three in one day, or in one meeting. So Grotius, Rosenmuller, Doddridge, Bloomfield, and Locke understand it. It is probable that many were endowed with the gift of tongues; and it is certain that they were disposed to exercise the gift even when it could be of no real advantage, and when it was done only for ostentation. Paul had shown to them (1Cor 14:22) that the main design of the gift of tongues was to convince unbelievers; he here shows them that if that gift was exercised in the church, it should be in such a way as to promote edification. They should not speak at the same time; nor should they regard it as necessary that all should speak at the same meeting. It should not be so as to produce disorder and confusion; nor should it be so as to detain the people beyond a reasonable time. The speakers, therefore, in any one assembly, should not exceed two or three.

And that by course. Separately; one after another. They should not all speak at the same time.

And let one interpret. One who has the gift of interpreting foreign languages, (1Cor 12:10,) so that they may be understood, and the church be edified.

(+) "tongue" "language" (++) "by course" "In succession"

1 Corinthians 14:39

Verse 39. Covet to prophesy. 1Cor 14:1. This is the summing up of all that he had said. It was desirable that a man should wish to be able to speak, under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, in such a manner as to edify the church.

And forbid not, etc. Do not suppose that the power of speaking foreign languages is useless, or is to be despised, or that it is to be prohibited. In its own place it is a valuable endowment; and on proper occasions the talent should be exercised. See in 1Cor 14:22.

(*) "tongues" "in different languages"