31 For ye all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted;
That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; And that the man of understanding may attain unto sound counsels:
Give `instruction' to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation.
howbeit in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
who comforteth us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort them that are in any affliction, through the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Nevertheless he that comforteth the lowly, `even' God, comforted us by the coming of Titus; and not by his coming only, but also by the comfort wherewith he was comforted in you, while he told us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced yet more.
whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose, that ye may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 14
In this chapter the apostle directs them about the use of their spiritual gifts, preferring those that are best and fitted to do the greatest good.
1Cr 14:1-5
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,
1Cr 14:6-14
In this paragraph he goes on to show how vain a thing the ostentation of speaking unknown and unintelligible language must be. It was altogether unedifying and unprofitable (v. 6): If I come to you speaking with tongues, what will it profit you, unless I speak to you by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? It would signify nothing to utter any of these in an unknown tongue. An apostle, with all his furniture, could not edify, unless he spoke to the capacity of his hearers. New revelations, the most clear explications of old ones, the most instructive discourses in themselves, would be unprofitable in a language not understood. Nay, interpretations of scripture made in an unknown tongue would need to be interpreted over again, before they could be of any use.
1Cr 14:15-20
The apostle here sums up the argument hitherto, and,
1Cr 14:21-25
In this passage the apostle pursues the argument, and reasons from other topics; as,
1Cr 14:26-33
In this passage the apostle reproves them for their disorder, and endeavours to correct and regulate their conduct for the future.
1Cr 14:34-35
Here the apostle,
1Cr 14:36-40
In these verses the apostle closes his argument,