I Corinthians 14
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Follow after charity - Most earnestly labor to be put in possession of that love which beareth, believeth, hopeth, and endureth all things. It may be difficult to acquire, and difficult to retain this blessed state, but it is essential to your present peace and eternal happiness. This clause belongs to the preceding chapter. Desire spiritual gifts - Ye are very intent on getting those splendid gifts which may add to your worldly consequence, and please your carnal minds - but labor rather to get the gifts of God's Spirit, by which ye may grow in grace, and be useful to others - and particularly desire that ye may prophesy - that ye may be able to teach and instruct others in the things of their salvation.
Open source ↗SUPERIORITY OF PROPHECY OVER TONGUES. (1Co. 14:1-25) Follow after charity--as your first and chief aim, seeing that it is "the greatest" (Co1 13:13). and desire--Translate, "Yet (as a secondary aim) desire zealously (see on Co1 12:31) spiritual gifts." but rather--"but chiefly that ye may prophesy" (speak and exhort under inspiration) (Pro 29:18; Act 13:1; Th1 5:20), whether as to future events, that is, strict prophecy, or explaining obscure parts of Scripture, especially the prophetical Scriptures or illustrating and setting forth questions of Christian doctrine and practice. Our modern preaching is the successor of prophecy, but without the inspiration. Desire zealously this (prophecy) more than any other spiritual gift; or in preference to "tongues" (Co1 14:2, &c.) [BENGEL].
Open source ↗Follow after charity,.... The apostle having so highly commended charity, or love, in the preceding chapter, presses here to an eager pursuit after it; that is, to an exercise of it, and after those things which make for it, and will serve to maintain and increase it: and everything he has said in praise of it before serves as an argument, or reason, to follow hard after it, with an eagerness used in hunting, and with such violence as persecutors express in pursuing and laying hold on those they seek after, to which there is an allusion in the word here used: and desire spiritual gifts: for though he had given charity the preference to them, he did not mean that they should despise and neglect them, or treat them with indifference, and be unconcerned about them; but, on the other hand, that they should be very zealous for them, ambitious of them, and earnestly covet them; since being rightly used and kept in their proper place, they were greatly beneficial and profitable to the churches of Christ, and the glory of God: but rather that ye may prophesy: of all the gifts of the Spirit, the apostle prefers prophesying, and recommends this to the Corinthians, as what they should be chiefly desirous of, and more desirous of than of speaking with tongues, which many among them were so very fond of: by which he means, not so much the gift of foretelling future events, though there was such a gift bestowed on some persons in those times, and, in certain cases, was very profitable to the churches; but a gift of preaching the word, or explaining the prophecies of the Old Testament, and of praying and singing of psalms, all which, as appears from some following parts of this chapter, were included in it; and that not in an ordinary, but in an extraordinary way; a person possessed o…
Open source ↗The apostle, in the foregoing chapter, had himself preferred, and advised the Corinthians to prefer, Christian charity to all spiritual gifts. Here he teaches them, among spiritual gifts, which they should prefer, and by what rules they should make comparison. He begins the chapter, I. With an exhortation to charity (Co1 14:1): Follow after charity, pursue it. The original, diōkete, when spoken of a thing, signifies a singular concern to obtain it; and is commonly taken in a good and laudable sense. It is an exhortation to obtain charity, to get this excellent disposition of mind upon any terms, whatever pains or prayers it may cost: as if he had said, "In whatever you fail, see you do not miss of this; the principal of all graces is worth your getting at any rate." II. He directs them which spiritual gift to prefer, from a principle of charity: "Desire spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy, or chiefly that you may prophesy." While they were in close pursuit of charity, and made this Christian disposition their chief scope, they might be zealous of spiritual gifts, be ambitious of them in some measure, but especially of prophesying, that is, of interpreting scripture. This preference would most plainly discover that they were indeed upon such pursuit, that they had a due value for Christian charity, and were intent upon it. Note, Gifts are fit objects of our desire and pursuit, in subordination to grace and charity. That should be sought first and with the greatest earnestness which is most worth. III. He assigns the reasons of this preference. And it is remarkable here that he only compares prophesying with speaking with tongues. It seems, this was the gift on which the Corinthians principally valued themselves. This was more ostentatious than the plain in…
Open source ↗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.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
διώκω (diṓkō, G1377) — compare the base of G1169 (δειλός) and G1249 (διάκονος)); to pursue (literally or… ἀγάπη (agápē, G26) — love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ζηλόω (zēlóō, G2206) — to have warmth of feeling for or against πνευματικός (pneumatikós, G4152) — non-carnal, i.e. (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (dæmoniacally) a spirit… μᾶλλον (mâllon, G3123) — (adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) προφητεύω (prophēteúō, G4395) — to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words γλῶσσα (glōssa, G1100) — the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very οὐδείς (oudeís, G3762) — not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing ἀκούω (akoúō, G191) — to hear (in various senses) δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… μυστήριον (mystḗrion, G3466) — a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. προφητεύω (prophēteúō, G4395) — to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being οἰκοδομή (oikodomḗ, G3619) — architecture, i.e. (concretely) a structure; figuratively, confirmation καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… παράκλησις (paráklēsis, G3874) — imploration, hortation, solace παραμυθία (paramythía, G3889) — consolation (properly, abstract)
Open source ↗λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words γλῶσσα (glōssa, G1100) — the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired) οἰκοδομέω (oikodoméō, G3618) — to be a house-builder, i.e. construct or (figuratively) confirm ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû, G1438) — him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other… δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. προφητεύω (prophēteúō, G4395) — to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía, G1577) — a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. θέλω (thélō, G2309) — to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas G1014 (βούλομαι)… ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words γλῶσσα (glōssa, G1100) — the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired) μᾶλλον (mâllon, G3123) — (adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) προφητεύω (prophēteúō, G4395) — to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… μείζων (meízōn, G3187) — larger (literally or figuratively, specially, in age) ἤ (ḗ, G2228) — disjunctive, or; comparative, than ἐκτός (ektós, G1622) — the exterior; figuratively (as a preposition) aside from, besides εἰ μή (ei mḗ, G1508) — if not
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. νυνί (nyní, G3570) — just now ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) ἐάν (eán, G1437) — a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other… ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words γλῶσσα (glōssa, G1100) — the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired) τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) ὠφελέω (ōpheléō, G5623) — to be useful, i.e. to benefit ἐὰν μή (eàn mḗ, G3362) — if not, i.e. unless ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you ἤ (ḗ, G2228) — disjunctive, or; comparative, than
Open source ↗ὅμως (hómōs, G3676) — at the same time, i.e. (conjunctionally) notwithstanding, yet still ἄψυχος (ápsychos, G895) — lifeless, i.e. inanimate (mechanical) δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… φωνή (phōnḗ, G5456) — a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose),… εἴτε (eíte, G1535) — if too αὐλός (aulós, G836) — a flute (as blown) κιθάρα (kithára, G2788) — a lyre ἐὰν μή (eàn mḗ, G3362) — if not, i.e. unless διαστολή (diastolḗ, G1293) — a variation φθόγγος (phthóngos, G5353) — utterance, i.e. a musical note (vocal or instrumental) πῶς (pōs, G4459) — an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect,… γινώσκω (ginṓskō, G1097) — to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as… αὐλέω (auléō, G832) — to play the flute ἤ (ḗ, G2228) — disjunctive, or; comparative, than
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐάν (eán, G1437) — a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other… σάλπιγξ (sálpinx, G4536) — a trumpet δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… ἄδηλος (ádēlos, G82) — hidden, figuratively, indistinct φωνή (phōnḗ, G5456) — a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose),… τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) παρασκευάζω (paraskeuázō, G3903) — to furnish aside, i.e. get ready εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… πόλεμος (pólemos, G4171) — warfare (literally or figuratively; a single encounter or a series)
Open source ↗οὕτω (hoútō, G3779) — in this way (referring to what precedes or follows) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ὑμεῖς (hymeîs, G5210) — you (as subjective of verb) ἐὰν μή (eàn mḗ, G3362) — if not, i.e. unless δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) γλῶσσα (glōssa, G1100) — the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired) λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… εὔσημος (eúsēmos, G2154) — well indicated, i.e. (figuratively) significant πῶς (pōs, G4459) — an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect,… γινώσκω (ginṓskō, G1097) — to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as… λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἔσομαι (ésomai, G2071) — will be
Open source ↗εἰ (ei, G1487) — if, whether, that, etc. ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are τυγχάνω (tynchánō, G5177) — akin to the base of G5088 (τίκτω) through the idea of effecting; properly, to affect; or… τοσοῦτος (tosoûtos, G5118) — apparently from G3588 (ὁ) and G3739 (ὅς)) and G3778 (οὗτος) (including its variations);… γένος (génos, G1085) — "kin" (abstract or concrete, literal or figurative, individual or collective) φωνή (phōnḗ, G5456) — a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose),… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. κόσμος (kósmos, G2889) — orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… οὐδείς (oudeís, G3762) — not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing ἄφωνος (áphōnos, G880) — voiceless, i.e. mute (by nature or choice); figuratively, unmeaning αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the…
Open source ↗οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly ἐὰν μή (eàn mḗ, G3362) — if not, i.e. unless εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… δύναμις (dýnamis, G1411) — force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a… φωνή (phōnḗ, G5456) — a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose),… ἔσομαι (ésomai, G2071) — will be λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words βάρβαρος (bárbaros, G915) — a foreigner (i.e. non-Greek) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἐμοί (emoí, G1698) — to me
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… οὕτω (hoútō, G3779) — in this way (referring to what precedes or follows) ὑμεῖς (hymeîs, G5210) — you (as subjective of verb) ἐπεί (epeí, G1893) — thereupon, i.e. since (of time or cause) ἐστέ (esté, G2075) — ye are ζηλωτής (zēlōtḗs, G2207) — a "zealot" πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… ζητέω (zētéō, G2212) — to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a… ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) περισσεύω (perisseúō, G4052) — to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also… πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… οἰκοδομή (oikodomḗ, G3619) — architecture, i.e. (concretely) a structure; figuratively, confirmation ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía, G1577) — a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation…
Open source ↗διόπερ (dióper, G1355) — on which very account λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words γλῶσσα (glōssa, G1100) — the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired) προσεύχομαι (proseúchomai, G4336) — to pray to God, i.e. supplicate, worship ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) διερμηνεύω (diermēneúō, G1329) — to explain thoroughly, by implication, to translate
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἐάν (eán, G1437) — a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other… προσεύχομαι (proseúchomai, G4336) — to pray to God, i.e. supplicate, worship γλῶσσα (glōssa, G1100) — the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired) μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. νοῦς (noûs, G3563) — the intellect, i.e. mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will); by implication,… ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are ἄκαρπος (ákarpos, G175) — barren (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders.
Do everything in love.
So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.
Do not treat prophecies with contempt,
Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.
The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness.
But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command.