1Cor 14:5-27 | PNT | STEP | Greater [is] he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues . Greater, because he serves the church best. Unless the tongues were interpreted, they were an unmeaning sound to the church, while he who prophesied, instructed and built up. NOTE.--Concerning this gift of tongues, there is considerable confusion among commentators. Some have held that it was a sort of rhapsody under the influence of the Spirit in no earthly language. Others have held that it was a gift of the knowledge of foreign languages to the early Christians to enable them to preach the gospel to all nations. Neither view appears to be correct. (1) Undoubtedly there was a manifestation of the gift of tongues on the Day of Pentecost. Parthians, Medes, Elamites, Greeks, Romans, heard in their own language ( ). (2) It was not a gift of the "knowledge" of a foreign language, for the speaker did not understand his own words ( ). (3) It was a gift, not for exercise in the church, but a "sign to them that believe not" ( ). When they heard the gospel message in a tongue which the speaker did not understand, but in their own tongue (as on the Day of Pentecost), their wonder was excited, and many would confess that it was the work of God.

1 Corinthians 14:5-27

Greater [is] he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues. Greater, because he serves the church best. Unless the tongues were interpreted, they were an unmeaning sound to the church, while he who prophesied, instructed and built up. NOTE.--Concerning this gift of tongues, there is considerable confusion among commentators. Some have held that it was a sort of rhapsody under the influence of the Spirit in no earthly language. Others have held that it was a gift of the knowledge of foreign languages to the early Christians to enable them to preach the gospel to all nations. Neither view appears to be correct. (1) Undoubtedly there was a manifestation of the gift of tongues on the Day of Pentecost. Parthians, Medes, Elamites, Greeks, Romans, heard in their own language (Ac 2:8-11). (2) It was not a gift of the "knowledge" of a foreign language, for the speaker did not understand his own words (1Co 14:13,14). (3) It was a gift, not for exercise in the church, but a "sign to them that believe not" (1Co 14:22). When they heard the gospel message in a tongue which the speaker did not understand, but in their own tongue (as on the Day of Pentecost), their wonder was excited, and many would confess that it was the work of God. What shall I profit you? The gift of tongues, exercised to the church, cannot profit unless it does one of four things named:

A revelation. The inspired utterance of him who "prophesies".

Knowledge. The gift of teaching the inspired truths of the Scriptures, or those revealed by the prophets. Even things without life giving sound. Musical instruments that give forth a sound, such as a pipe or a harp, the chief musical instruments of the Greeks, must give a distinction of sounds, if one would know what is played. If the trumpet given an uncertain sound. The various distinctions of note sounded a charge, a retreat, etc. So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue, etc. It is only speech to the air, unless there is the distinction of intelligible words. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world. Articulate language spoken and understood by some men. If I know not the meaning of the voice. The language.

I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian. A foreigner, not understanding his language. The Greeks and Romans called all not of their races barbarians. Seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. If you seek for spiritual gifts, seek rather those that will build up the church, such as prophesying and teaching. Let him that speaketh in an [unknown] language pray that he may interpret. Let him pray that he may have the gift of interpretation also.

See PNT 1Co 12:10. Let him pray that he may understand what he utters, so as to explain it. If I pray in an [unknown] tongue, etc. He does not understand, and only his spirit prayeth. What is it then? How then am I to act? He answers that question.

I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the understanding also. He will have both the spirit and the understanding unite in singing and praying, by using a tongue that he understands. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, etc. If an unknown tongue is used, how can one who does not understand it "say Amen" to the blessing at the proper place?

The unlearned. A private person, the private members of the church, those not possessed of the spiritual gifts.

Say Amen. This shows that audible responses to the praises and thanksgivings were the custom of the church. I had rather speak five words with my understanding, etc. All must be done to edification (see 1Co 14:26). Hence, all must be understood. There is a lesson here to preachers who are so learned in their utterances that the people cannot understand them. Be not children in understanding. Use manly good sense and judgment in the church. To babble in an unknown tongue is like a child.

Howbeit in malice be ye children. To vainly choose a course that would merely excite wonder, and not edify, would seem to partake of malice rather than love. In the law it is written. For the quotation, see Isa 28:11,12. The Jews were there told that for their sins they would be carried into the Assyrian captivity, where they would hear strange languages. This was a judgment. Wherefore, do not force the church to listen to listen to strange tongues which serve to remind of the judgment of Israel. Wherefore tongues are for a sign . . . to them that believe not. They are a sign to unbelievers, who are moved when they hear the gospel spoken in their tongue by men who have never learned it and do not understand it. If therefore the whole church be come together. The apostle now treats of the proper order and decorum in the church assemblies.

And all speak with tongues. There would be a babble of confusion and no edification. To a private member, or an unbeliever, they would seem to be mad. But if all prophesy. Those speaking would then speak what would be understood, and, speaking under the divine impulse, would convict.

He is convinced of all, he is judged of all. His state and character are laid bare by the speakers. The secrets of his heart are made manifest. He is made to feel that he is face to face with God, who knows his life, and he is brought to confession. It is still often the case that the hearer thinks that the preacher knows his life, and is laying it bare, when it is his own conscience that is stirred up. What is it then, brethren? What course should be pursued in the public assemblies of the church?

When ye are come together, each one of you hath, etc. When they come together, one comes purposing to sing "a psalm"; another to teach concerning "a doctrine"; another, a prophet, has "a revelation" to present; another proposes to speak in "a language"; another, offers "an interpretation" of what is spoken. Now this must all be done to edification. All that will not tend to this must be left out. If any man speak in an [unknown] language. He must speak by two, or at the most three, two, or at the most three sentences by course, in succession. Most commentators refer "two" or "three" to persons speaking. I follow Macknight.

See PNT 1Co 14:29.

And let one interpret. And another, who has the gift of interpretation, must interpret. See 1Co 12:10.