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Selected Verse: 1 Corinthians 14:29 - King James
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
1Co 14:29 |
King James |
Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. |
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] |
two or three--at one meeting (he does not add "at the most," as in Co1 14:27, lest he should seem to "quench prophesyings," the most edifying of gifts), and these "one by one," in turn (Co1 14:27, "by course," and Co1 14:31). Paul gives here similar rules to the prophets, as previously to those speaking in unknown tongues.
judge--by their power of "discerning spirits" (Co1 12:10), whether the person prophesying was really speaking under the influence of the Spirit (compare Co1 12:3; Jo1 4:13). |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Let the prophets - See the note at Co1 14:1.
Speak two or three - On the same days, or at the same meeting; see the note at Co1 14:27.
And let the other judge - The word "other" (οἱ ἄλλοι hoi alloi, "the others"), Bloomfield supposes refers to the other prophets; and that the meaning is, that they should decide whether what was said was dictated by the Holy Spirit, or not. But the more probable sense, I think, is that which refers it to the rest of the congregation, and which supposes that they were to compare one doctrine with another, and deliberate on what was spoken, and determine whether it had evidence of being in accordance with the truth. It may be that the apostle here refers to those who had the gift of discerning spirits, and that he meant to say that they were to determine by what spirit the prophets who spoke were actuated. It was possible that those who claimed to be prophets might err, and it was the duty of all to examine whether that which was uttered was in accordance with truth. And if this was a duty then, it is a duty now; if it was proper even when the teachers claimed to be under divine inspiration, it is much more the duty of the people now. No minister of religion has a right to demand that all that he speaks shall be regarded as truth, unless he can give good reasons for it: no man is to be debarred from the right of canvassing freely, and comparing with the Bible, and with sound reason, all that the minister of the gospel advances. No minister who has just views of his office, and a proper acquaintance with the truth, and confidence in it, would desire to prohibit the people from the most full and free examination of all that he utters. It may be added, that the Scripture everywhere encourages the most full and free examination of all doctrines that are advanced; and that true religion advances just in proportion as this spirit of candid, and earnest, and prayerful examination prevails among a people; see the note at Act 17:11; compare Th1 5:21. |
Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Judge
See on Co1 11:29. Referring to the gift of the discernment of spirits. See on Co1 12:10. |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
Let two or three of the prophets - Not more, at one meeting. Speak - One after another, expounding the scripture. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Let the prophets - Those who have the gift of speaking to men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort; Co1 14:3.
Two or three - As prophesying implied psalmody, teaching, and exhortation, Dr. Lightfoot thinks that the meaning of the place is this: Let one sing who has a psalm; let another teach who has a doctrine; and let a third exhort, or comfort, who has a gift of that kind.
And let the other judge - The other prophets, or qualified persons, judge of the propriety of what had been spoken; or let them discern, διακρινετωσαν, how the revelation under the new covenant confirmed and illustrated the revelation granted under the Old Testament. It appears to have been taken for granted, that a man might pretend to this spirit of prophecy who was not sent of God; and therefore it was the duty of the accredited teachers to examine whether what he spoke was according to truth, and the analogy of faith. For the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets; every man's gift was to be judged of by those whose age, experience, and wisdom, gave them a right to decide. Besides, though the person who did speak might do it from an impulse of God, yet, if he was not sufficiently known, his testimony ought to be received with caution; and therefore the aged prophets should judge of his gift, lest false doctrines should slide into the Church.
But all these provisions, as Schoettgen justly observes, were in imitation of the practice in the Jewish synagogues; for there it was customary for them to object, interrogate, judge, refute, etc. |
13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.