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Selected Verse: 1 Corinthians 14:1 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 1Co 14:1 |
Strong Concordance |
Follow [1377] after charity [26], and [1161] desire [2206] spiritual [4152] gifts, but [1161] rather [3123] that [2443] ye may prophesy [4395]. |
| |
King James |
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
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]. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Follow after charity - Pursue love Co1 13:1; that is, earnestly desire it; strive to possess it; make it the object of your anxious and constant solicitude to obtain it, and to be influenced by it always. Cultivate it in your own hearts, as the richest and best endowment of the Holy Spirit, and endeavor to diffuse its happy influence on all around you.
And desire spiritual gifts - I do not forbid you, while you make the possession of love your great object, and while you do not make the desire of spiritual gifts the occasion of envy or strife, to desire the miraculous endowments of the Spirit and to seek to excel in those endowments which he imparts; see the note at Co1 12:31. The main thing was to cultivate a spirit of love. Yet it was not improper also to desire to be so endowed as to promote their highest usefulness in the church. On the phrase "spiritual gifts," see the note at Co1 12:1.
But rather that ye may prophesy - But especially, or particularly desire to be qualified for the office of prophesying. The apostle does not mean to say that prophecy is to be preferred to love or charity; but that, of the spiritual gifts which it was proper for them to desire and seek, prophecy was the most valuable. That is, they were not most earnestly and especially to desire to be able to speak foreign languages or to work miracles; but they were to desire to be qualified to speak in a manner that would be edifying to the church. They would naturally, perhaps, most highly prize the power of working miracles and of speaking foreign languages. The object of this chapter is to show them that the ability to speak in a plain, clear, instructive manner, so as to edify the church and convince sinners, was a more valuable endowment than the power of working miracles, or the power of speaking foreign languages.
On the meaning of the word "prophesy," see the note at Rom 11:6. To what is said there on the nature of this office, it seems necessary only to add an idea suggested by Prof. Robinson (Greek and English Lexicon, under the article, Προφήτης Prophētēs), that the prophets were distinguished from the teachers (διδάσκαλοι didaskaloi), "in that, while the latter spoke in a calm, connected, didactic discourse adapted to instruct and enlighten the hearers, the prophet spoke more from the impulse of sudden inspiration, from the light of a sudden revelation at the moment (Co1 14:30, ἀποκάλυφθη apokalupthē), and his discourse was probably more adapted, by means of powerful exhortation, to awaken the feelings and conscience of the hearers." The idea of speaking from "revelation," he adds, seems to be fundamental to the correct idea of the nature of the prophecy here referred to. Yet the communications of the prophets were always in the vernacular tongue, and were always in intelligible language, and in this respect different from the endowments of those who spoke foreign languages.
The same truth might be spoken by both; the influence of the Spirit was equally necessary in both; both were inspired; and both answered important ends in the establishment and edification of the church. The gift of tongues, however, as it was the most striking and remarkable, and probably the most rare, was most highly prized and coveted. The object of Paul here is, to show that it was really an endowment of less value, and should be less desired by Christians than the gift of prophetic instruction, or the ability to edify the church in language intelligible and understood by all, under the immediate influences of the Holy Spirit. |
| The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
rather
The subject is still the Greek, "pneumatika". Chapter 12 described the gifts and the Body; Chapter 13 described the love which alone gives ministry of gift any value; Chapter 14 regulates the ministry of gift in the primitive, apostolic assembly of saints.
(1) The important gift is that of prophecy (Co1 1:1)). The New Testament prophet was not merely a preacher, but an inspired preacher, through whom, until the New Testament was written, new revelations suited to the new dispensation were given (Co1 14:29-30).
(2) Tongues and the sign gifts are to cease, and meantime must be used with restraint, and only if an interpreter be present (Co1 14:1-19); (Co1 14:27); (Co1 14:28).
(3) In the primitive church there was liberty for the ministry of all the gifts which might be present, but for prophecy more especially (Co1 14:23-26); (Co1 14:31); (Co1 14:39).
(4) In such meetings, when "the whole church" came together "in one place," women were required to keep silence (Co1 14:34-35); (Co1 11:3-16); (Ti1 2:11-14).
(5) These injunctions are declared to be "the commandments of the Lord" (Co1 14:36-37). |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Follow after love - With zeal, vigour, courage, patience; else you can neither attain nor keep it. And - In their place, as subservient to this. Desire spiritual gifts; but especially that ye may prophesy - The word here does not mean foretelling things to come; but rather opening and applying the scripture. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
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. |
2 For [1063] he that speaketh [2980] in an unknown tongue [1100] speaketh [2980] not [3756] unto men [444], but [235] unto God [2316]: for [1063] no man [3762] understandeth [191] him; howbeit [1161] in the spirit [4151] he speaketh [2980] mysteries [3466].
20 Despise [1848] not [3361] prophesyings [4394].
1 Now [1161] there were [2258] in [2596] the church [1577] that was [5607] at [1722] Antioch [490] certain [5100] prophets [4396] and [2532] teachers [1320]; as [5037] Barnabas [921], and [2532] Simeon [4826] that was called [2564] Niger [3526], and [2532] Lucius [3066] of Cyrene [2956], and [5037] Manaen [3127], which had been brought up [4939] with Herod [2264] the tetrarch [5076], and [2532] Saul [4569].
18 Where there is no vision [02377], the people [05971] perish [06544]: but he that keepeth [08104] the law [08451], happy [0835] is he.
31 But [1161] covet earnestly [2206] the best [2909] gifts [5486]: and [2532] yet [2089] shew I [1166] unto you [5213] a more [2596] excellent [5236] way [3598].
13 And [1161] now [3570] abideth [3306] faith [4102], hope [1680], charity [26], these [5023] three [5140]; but [1161] the greatest [3187] of these [5130] is charity [26].
30 If [1161] [1437] any thing be revealed [601] to another [243] that sitteth by [2521], let [4601] the first [4413] hold his peace [4601].
6 And [1161] if [1487] by grace [5485], then is it no more [2089] [3765] of [1537] works [2041]: otherwise [1893] grace [5485] is [1096] no more [2089] [3765] grace [5485]. But [1161] if [1487] it be of [1537] works [2041], then is it [2076] no more [2089] [3765] grace [5485]: otherwise [1893] work [2041] is [2076] no more [2089] [3765] work [2041].
1 Now [1161] concerning [4012] spiritual [4152] gifts, brethren [80], I would [2309] not [3756] have [2309] you [5209] ignorant [50].
31 But [1161] covet earnestly [2206] the best [2909] gifts [5486]: and [2532] yet [2089] shew I [1166] unto you [5213] a more [2596] excellent [5236] way [3598].
1 Though [1437] I speak [2980] with the tongues [1100] of men [444] and [2532] of angels [32], and [1161] have [2192] not [3361] charity [26], I am become [1096] as sounding [2278] brass [5475], or [2228] a tinkling [214] cymbal [2950].
36 What [2228]? came [1831] the word [3056] of God [2316] out [1831] from [575] you [5216]? or [2228] came it [2658] unto [1519] you [5209] only [3441]?
37 If any man [1536] think himself [1380] to be [1511] a prophet [4396], or [2228] spiritual [4152], let him acknowledge [1921] that [3754] the things [3739] that I write [1125] unto you [5213] are [1526] the commandments [1785] of the Lord [2962].
11 Let [3129] the woman [1135] learn [3129] in [1722] silence [2271] with [1722] all [3956] subjection [5292].
12 But [1161] I suffer [2010] not [3756] a woman [1135] to teach [1321], nor [3761] to usurp authority [831] over the man [435], but [235] to be [1511] in [1722] silence [2271].
13 For [1063] Adam [76] was [4111] first [4413] formed [4111], then [1534] Eve [2096].
14 And [2532] Adam [76] was [538] not [3756] deceived [538], but [1161] the woman [1135] being deceived [538] was [1096] in [1722] the transgression [3847].
3 But [1161] I would have [2309] you [5209] know [1492], that [3754] the head [2776] of every [3956] man [435] is [2076] Christ [5547]; and [1161] the head [2776] of the woman [1135] is the man [435]; and [1161] the head [2776] of Christ [5547] is God [2316].
4 Every [3956] man [435] praying [4336] or [2228] prophesying [4395], having [2192] his head [2776] covered [2596], dishonoureth [2617] his [846] head [2776].
5 But [1161] every [3956] woman [1135] that prayeth [4336] or [2228] prophesieth [4395] with her head [2776] uncovered [177] dishonoureth [2617] her [1438] head [2776]: for [1063] that is [2076] even [2532] all one [1520] as if [846] she were shaven [3587].
6 For [1063] if [1487] the woman [1135] be [2619] not [3756] covered [2619], let her [2751] also [2532] be shorn [2751]: but [1161] if [1487] it be a shame [149] for a woman [1135] to be shorn [2751] or [2228] shaven [3587], let her be covered [2619].
7 For [1063] a man [435] indeed [3303] ought [3784] not [3756] to cover [2619] his head [2776], forasmuch as he is [5225] the image [1504] and [2532] glory [1391] of God [2316]: but [1161] the woman [1135] is [2076] the glory [1391] of the man [435].
8 For [1063] the man [435] is [2076] not [3756] of [1537] the woman [1135]; but [235] the woman [1135] of [1537] the man [435].
9 [1063] [2532] Neither [3756] was [2936] the man [435] created [2936] for [1223] the woman [1135]; but [235] the woman [1135] for [1223] the man [435].
10 For this [5124] cause [1223] ought [3784] the woman [1135] to have [2192] power [1849] on [1909] her head [2776] because [1223] of the angels [32].
11 Nevertheless [4133] neither [3777] is the man [435] without [5565] the woman [1135], neither [3777] the woman [1135] without [5565] the man [435], in [1722] the Lord [2962].
12 For [1063] as [5618] the woman [1135] is of [1537] the man [435], even so [3779] is the man [435] also [2532] by [1223] the woman [1135]; but [1161] all things [3956] of [1537] God [2316].
13 Judge [2919] in [1722] yourselves [5213] [846]: is it [2076] comely [4241] that a woman [1135] pray [4336] unto God [2316] uncovered [177]?
14 Doth [2228] not even [3761] nature [5449] itself [846] teach [1321] you [5209], that [3754], if [1437] [3303] a man [435] have long hair [2863], it is [2076] a shame [819] unto him [846]?
15 But [1161] if [1437] a woman [1135] have long hair [2863], it is [2076] a glory [1391] to her [846]: for [3754] her hair [2864] is given [1325] her [846] for [473] a covering [4018].
16 But [1161] if any man [1536] seem [1380] to be [1511] contentious [5380], we [2249] have [2192] no [3756] such [5108] custom [4914], neither [3761] the churches [1577] of God [2316].
34 Let [4601] your [5216] women [1135] keep silence [4601] in [1722] the churches [1577]: for [1063] it is [2010] not [3756] permitted [2010] unto them [846] to speak [2980]; but [235] they are commanded to be under obedience [5293], as [2531] also [2532] saith [3004] the law [3551].
35 And [1161] if [1487] they will [2309] learn [3129] any thing [5100], let them ask [1905] their [2398] husbands [435] at [1722] home [3624]: for [1063] it is [2076] a shame [149] for women [1135] to speak [2980] in [1722] the church [1577].
39 Wherefore [5620], brethren [80], covet [2206] to prophesy [4395], and [2532] forbid [2967] not [3361] to speak [2980] with tongues [1100].
31 For [1063] ye may [1410] all [3956] prophesy [4395] one by one [2596] [1520], that [2443] all [3956] may learn [3129], and [2532] all [3956] may be comforted [3870].
23 If [1437] therefore [3767] the whole [3650] church [1577] be come together [4905] into [1909] one place [846], and [2532] all [3956] speak [2980] with tongues [1100], and [1161] there come in [1525] those that are unlearned [2399], or [2228] unbelievers [571], will they [2046] not [3756] say [2046] that [3754] ye are mad [3105]?
24 But [1161] if [1437] all [3956] prophesy [4395], and [1161] there come in [1525] one [5100] that believeth not [571], or [2228] one unlearned [2399], he is convinced [1651] of [5259] all [3956], he is judged [350] of [5259] all [3956]:
25 And [2532] thus [3779] are [1096] the secrets [2927] of his [846] heart [2588] made [1096] manifest [5318]; and [2532] so [3779] falling down [4098] on [1909] his face [4383] he will worship [4352] God [2316], and report [518] that [3754] God [2316] is [2076] in [1722] you [5213] of a truth [3689].
26 How [5101] is it [2076] then [3767], brethren [80]? when [3752] ye come together [4905], every one [1538] of you [5216] hath [2192] a psalm [5568], hath [2192] a doctrine [1322], hath [2192] a tongue [1100], hath [2192] a revelation [602], hath [2192] an interpretation [2058]. Let [1096] all things [3956] be done [1096] unto [4314] edifying [3619].
28 But [1161] if [3362] there be [5600] no [3362] interpreter [1328], let him keep silence [4601] in [1722] the church [1577]; and [1161] let him speak [2980] to himself [1438], and [2532] to God [2316].
27 If [1535] any man [5100] speak [2980] in an unknown tongue [1100], let it be by [2596] two [1417], or [2228] at the most [4118] by three [5140], and [2532] that by [303] course [3313]; and [2532] let [1329] one [1520] interpret [1329].
1 Follow [1377] after charity [26], and [1161] desire [2206] spiritual [4152] gifts, but [1161] rather [3123] that [2443] ye may prophesy [4395].
2 For [1063] he that speaketh [2980] in an unknown tongue [1100] speaketh [2980] not [3756] unto men [444], but [235] unto God [2316]: for [1063] no man [3762] understandeth [191] him; howbeit [1161] in the spirit [4151] he speaketh [2980] mysteries [3466].
3 But [1161] he that prophesieth [4395] speaketh [2980] unto men [444] to edification [3619], and [2532] exhortation [3874], and [2532] comfort [3889].
4 He that speaketh [2980] in an unknown tongue [1100] edifieth [3618] himself [1438]; but [1161] he that prophesieth [4395] edifieth [3618] the church [1577].
5 [1161] I would [2309] that ye [5209] all [3956] spake [2980] with tongues [1100], but [1161] rather [3123] that [2443] ye prophesied [4395]: for [1063] greater [3187] is he that prophesieth [4395] than [2228] he that speaketh [2980] with tongues [1100], except [1622] [1508] he interpret [1329], that [2443] the church [1577] may receive [2983] edifying [3619].
6 [1161] Now [3570], brethren [80], if [1437] I come [2064] unto [4314] you [5209] speaking [2980] with tongues [1100], what [5101] shall I profit [5623] you [5209], except [3362] I shall speak [2980] to you [5213] either [2228] by [1722] revelation [602], or [2228] by [1722] knowledge [1108], or [2228] by [1722] prophesying [4394], or [2228] by [1722] doctrine [1322]?
7 And even [3676] things without life [895] giving [1325] sound [5456], whether [1535] pipe [836] or [1535] harp [2788], except [3362] they give [1325] a distinction [1293] in the sounds [5353], how [4459] shall it be known [1097] what is piped [832] or [2228] harped [2789]?
8 For [1063] [2532] if [1437] the trumpet [4536] give [1325] an uncertain [82] sound [5456], who [5101] shall prepare himself [3903] to [1519] the battle [4171]?
9 So [3779] likewise [2532] ye [5210], except [3362] ye utter [1325] by [1223] the tongue [1100] words [3056] easy to be understood [2154], how [4459] shall it be known [1097] what is spoken [2980]? for [1063] ye shall [2071] speak [2980] into [1519] the air [109].
10 [1487] There are [2076], it may be [5177], so many [5118] kinds [1085] of voices [5456] in [1722] the world [2889], and [2532] none of them [3762] is without signification [880] [846].
11 Therefore [3767] if [3362] I know [1492] not [3362] the meaning [1411] of the voice [5456], I shall be [2071] unto him that speaketh [2980] a barbarian [915], and [2532] he that speaketh [2980] shall be a barbarian [915] unto [1722] me [1698].
12 Even [2532] so [3779] ye [5210], forasmuch as [1893] ye are [2075] zealous [2207] of spiritual [4151] gifts, seek [2212] that [2443] ye may excel [4052] to [4314] the edifying [3619] of the church [1577].
13 Wherefore [1355] let him that speaketh [2980] in an unknown tongue [1100] pray [4336] that [2443] he may interpret [1329].
14 For [1063] if [1437] I pray [4336] in an unknown tongue [1100], my [3450] spirit [4151] prayeth [4336], but [1161] my [3450] understanding [3563] is [2076] unfruitful [175].
15 What [5101] is it [2076] then [3767]? I will pray [4336] with the spirit [4151], and [1161] I will pray [4336] with the understanding [3563] also [2532]: I will sing [5567] with the spirit [4151], and [1161] I will sing [5567] with the understanding [3563] also [2532].
16 Else [1893] when [1437] thou shalt bless [2127] with the spirit [4151], how [4459] shall he that occupieth [378] the room [5117] of the unlearned [2399] say [2046] Amen [281] at [1909] thy [4674] giving of thanks [2169], seeing [1894] he understandeth [1492] not [3756] what [5101] thou sayest [3004]?
17 For [1063] thou [4771] verily [3303] givest thanks [2168] well [2573], but [235] the other [2087] is [3618] not [3756] edified [3618].
18 I thank [2168] my [3450] God [2316], I speak [2980] with tongues [1100] more than [3123] ye [5216] all [3956]:
19 Yet [235] in [1722] the church [1577] I had rather [2309] speak [2980] five [4002] words [3056] with [1223] my [3450] understanding [3563], that [2443] by my voice I might teach [2727] others [243] also [2532], than [2228] ten thousand [3463] words [3056] in [1722] an unknown tongue [1100].
29 [1161] Let [2980] the prophets [4396] speak [2980] two [1417] or [2228] three [5140], and [2532] let [1252] the other [243] judge [1252].
30 If [1161] [1437] any thing be revealed [601] to another [243] that sitteth by [2521], let [4601] the first [4413] hold his peace [4601].
1 Paul [3972], called [2822] to be an apostle [652] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] through [1223] the will [2307] of God [2316], and [2532] Sosthenes [4988] our brother [80],