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Wesley's Explanatory Notes

1 Corinthians 14:23

Yet — Sometimes prophecy is of more use, even to unbelievers, than speaking with tongues. For instance: If the whole church be met together — On some extraordinary occasion. It is probable, in so large a city, they ordinarily met in several places. And there come in ignorant persons — Men of learning might have understood the tongues in which they spoke. It is observable, St. Paul says here, ignorant persons or unbelievers; but in the next verse, an unbeliever or an ignorant person. Several bad men met together hinder each other by evil discourse. Single persons are more easily gained.

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See also 1 Corinthians 14:23 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 23. _WILL THEY NOT SAY THAT YE ARE MAD?_] So they well might, finding a whole assembly of people talking languages which those who had most need of instruction could not understand....

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    BE COME TOGETHER INTO ONE PLACE - For public worship. AND ALL SPEAK WITH TONGUES - All speak with a variety of unknown tongues; all speak foreign languages. The idea is, that the church would usually...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    4. PROPHECY AND SPEAKING WITH A TONGUE. CHAPTER 14 _ 1. Prophecy the better gift. (1 Corinthians 14:1 .)_ 2. Intelligibility demanded. (1 Corinthians 14:14 .) 3. Practical instructions for the publ...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    Such over-valuing of tongues reveals an infantile intelligence (a sharp thrust for a church so rich in intellectuals); only in malice is it proper to be babes. Scripture announces that the Lord will s...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    Brothers, don't be childish in your judgment. True, you must be innocent babes as far as evil goes, but in your judgments you must be mature men. In the law it stands written, "With people of a foreig...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    THE FALSE AND THE TRUE WORSHIP (1 Corinthians 14:1-19)...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    INTO ONE PLACE. See Acts 2:1. UNBELIEVERS. Greek. _apistos,_ as in verses: 1 Corinthians 14:22; 1 Corinthians 14:24. MAD. Greek. _mainomai._ See...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _If therefore the whole church be come together into one place_ ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτό. The usual word for the place of assembly, as in ch. 1 Corinthians 11:20; Acts 2:1. However well calculated the gift of tong...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ἘΠῚ ΤῸ ΑΥ̓ΤΌ. The usual word for the place of assembly, as in ch. 1 Corinthians 11:20; Acts 2:1. However well calculated the gift of tongues might be to arrest and compel attention when used properly,...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    1 Corinthians 14:1-25. THE SUPERIORITY OF THE GIFT OF PROPHECY OVER THAT OF TONGUES...

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _TONGUES MIGHT BRING REPROACH - 1 CORINTHIANS 14:20-25:_ Paul said the brethren at Corinth were acting like children when it came to the matter of spiritual gifts. They had shown malice toward each ot...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΣΥΝΈΛΘΗ _aor. conj. act. от_ ΣΥΝΈΡΧΟΜΑΙ (G4905) сходиться вместе, собираться. _Conj._ с ΈΆΝ (G1437) в _conj._ 3 типа, в котором условие рассматривается как возможное. ΈΠ ΤΌ ΑΎΤΌ (G1909; G3588; G846) в...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    APPLEBURY'S COMMENTS _Rules For Using Spiritual Gifts_ (20-40) _Text_ 1 Corinthians 14:20-40. Brethren, be not children in mind: yet in malice be ye babes, but in mind be men. 21 In the law it is wr...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    BUTLER'S COMMENTS SECTION 2 Proving by Tongues (1 Corinthians 14:13-25) 13 Therefore, he who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret. 14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays b...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? WHOLE ... A...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    11 The time came when the apostle admonished and taught in order that he should present every man _ mature _ in Christ (Col_1:28). Epaphras struggled in prayers that they should stand mature and compl...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    _(e) Spiritual Gifts (iii) The Gift of Tongues subordinate to Prophecy_ The Apostle in this chapter deals with the abuse of the gift of tongues which characterised the Corinthians, and declares that i...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    ALL SPEAK WITH TONGUES] Not necessarily all at once, but one after another, leaving space for nothing else. UNLEARNED] cp. 1 Corinthians 14:16 any one not understanding this gift....

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    SERVANTS OF CHRIST 1 CORINTHIANS _HILDA BRIGHT_ CHAPTER 14 *PROPHECY AND TONGUES 14:1-40 1. THE EFFECT OF *PROPHECY 14:1-5 V1 Follow the way of love. You should be eager to have the gifts of th...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    IF THEREFORE. — Intended, as tongues were, for a “sign,” they cease to be thus useful if not properly employed. The report of the strange utterances which take place in the assembled Church may lead s...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 20 SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND PUBLIC WORSHIP Is the first twenty-five verses of this chapter Paul gives his estimate of the comparative value of the two chief spiritual gifts: speaking with tongues...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    § 47. THE STRANGE TONGUES AN OCCASION OF UNBELIEF. The Ap. has striven to wean the Cor [2122] from their childish admiration of the Tongues by showing how unedifying they are in comparison with Prophe...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    shows the disastrous impression which the exercise of the Tongues, carried to its full extent, must make upon men outside a result that follows (οὖν) from the aforesaid intention of the gift (1 Corint...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    UNDERSTANDING PROMOTES EDIFYING 1 Corinthians 14:13 The Apostle here gives two practical directions, in order to restore the rule of the understanding above the babble of incoherent sounds, which wa...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    The apostle now submitted certain gifts to the test of love. Prophesying is desirable because it edifies others. Then as to Tongues. It was a gift that enabled men to speak to God, perhaps in prayer,...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    Tongues, A Sign to Unbelievers Paul appealed to the members of Christ's family at Corinth to quit being like children desiring the prettiest gift. Instead, he wanted them to be like men using good ju...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    (11) If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in [those that are] (s) unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? (11...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    “If therefore the whole Church be come together into one place, and all speak in tongues, and there come in novices, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?” This is the first case: an ass...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (23) If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? (24) But...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    As usual, the introductory words (1 Corinthians 1:1-3) of the epistle give us no little intimation of that which is to follow. The apostle speaks of himself as such "called [to be] an apostle of Jesus...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    23._If therefore the whole Church come together _As they did not see their fault, in consequence of having their minds pre-occupied with a foolish and depraved desire, he tells them that they will be...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    Two Verses in this Chapter 14 demand a little attention (1 Corinthians 14:1-2 the 3rd and the 6th (1 Corinthians 14:3; 1 Corinthians 14:6). Verse 3 ...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    IF THEREFORE THE WHOLE CHURCH,.... The whole congregation of believers incorporated together in a Gospel church state, consisting of its officers and private members; the church at Corinth is particul...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in _those that are_ unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? Ver. 23. _W...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Yet sometimes prophecy is of more use even to unbelievers than speaking with tongues. For instance: _if the whole church be come together_ On some extraordinary occasion; (it is probable in so large a...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    ALL SPEAK WITH TONGUES; in foreign languages only. YE ARE MAD; appear deranged to him who does not understand you....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    IF, THEREFORE, THE WHOLE CHURCH BE COME TOGETHER INTO ONE PLACE, AND ALL SPEAK WITH TONGUES, AND THERE COME IN THOSE THAT ARE UNLEARNED, OR UNBELIEVERS, WILL THEY NOT SAY THAT YE ARE MAD?...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    Strange tongues may become dangerous:...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    Chapter 12 has shown the placing of every gift in its own place in the body by the Spirit of God. Chapter 13 insists on love as the pervading influence for unity and peace in the functioning of the bo...

  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

    IF THEREFORE THE WHOLE CHURCH BE ASSEMBLED TOGETHER AND ALL SPEAK WITH TONGUES, AND THERE COME IN MEN UNLEARNED OR UNBELIEVING, WILL THEY NOT SAY THAT YE ARE MAD? 'whole church...all speak with tong...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    15-25 There can be no assent to prayers that are not understood. A truly Christian minister will seek much more to do spiritual good to men's souls, than to get the greatest applause to himself. This...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    BE COME TOGETHER INTO ONE PLACE; the phrase signifieth to one place, or for one and the same work; the first seemeth to be meant here by what followeth. AND ALL SPEAK WITH TONGUES: some think that the...

  • McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries

    If therefore the whole church be assembled together and all speak with tongues, and there come in men unlearned [not having the gift to interpret tongues, and not being educated in foreign languages]_...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    1 Corinthians 14:23 Therefore G3767 if G1437 whole G3650 church G1577 together G4905 (G5632) in G1909 place...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    'If therefore the whole church be assembled together and all speak with tongues, and there come in men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that you are mad?' Then he brings a second argument,...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    THE USE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS IN THE GATHERINGS OF GOD'S PEOPLE (14:1-40). Having raised us up to heaven Paul now brings us abruptly back to earth as he continues to advise on the use of spiritual gifts....

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    1 Corinthians 14:23. IF THEREFORE THE WHOLE CHURCH BE ASSEMBLED TOGETHER, AND ALL SPEAK WITH TONGUES, AND THERE COME IN MEN UNLEARNED OR UNBELIEVING not members of the church, and not understanding th...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    WILL THEY NOT SAY THAT YE ARE MAD? (ουκ ερουσιν οτ μαινεσθε?). These unbelievers unacquainted (ιδιωτα) with Christianity will say that the Christians are raving mad (see on Acts 12:15; Acts 26:24)....

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Prophecy and speaking in tongues. The order of the ministry of this gift in the church. CHARACTERS: God, Holy Spirit, Paul. CONCLUSION: That is the best and most eligible gift which best an...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    What is the subject of this chapter? Does it refer to the constant manner in which worship was conducted in the primitive churches; or does it refer to the manner in which men possessed of secondary g...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    WON'T THEY SAY THAT YOU ARE ALL CRAZY? "If strange tongues are the supreme gift from the Spirit, then to have the whole church speaking in these at the same time ought to be the very peak of spiritual...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    1 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 1 CORINTHIANS 14:22 THUS TONGUES ARE A SIGN... FOR UNBELIEVERS. As in Isaiah 28:11, quoted in...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    CHAPTER XIV SYNOPSIS OF THE CHAPTER i. He puts prophecy before the gift of tongues, because (_a_) it is of great use in edifying others, and tongues are not, unless some one interpret; (_b_) because...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL NOTES_ 1 Corinthians 14:1. FOLLOW AFTER.—Taking up the thought of a “way,” 1 Corinthians 12:31; as this whole verse resumes the theme of 12, after the digression or episode of 13 “_Pursue_”...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION 1 CORINTHIANS 14:1 _The_ _gift of preaching superior to the gift_ _tongues_. 1 CORINTHIANS 14:1 FOLLOW AFTER CHARITY; literally, _chase; pursue. _The word is one of whi

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    So Paul exhorts, Follow after love and desire spiritual (1 Corinthians 14:1), But rather, that you may prophecy. We were told to covet earnestly the best gifts. Now, again, he is saying the same thi...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Corinthians 11:18; Acts 2:13; Acts 26:24; Hosea 9:7; John 10:20...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    TALKING IN TONGUES 1 Corinthians 14:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS 1. The need for spiritual guidance in the matter of tongues. The church of today is beset by a group of people who very dogmatically assert t...

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    To convince the Corinthians that prophecy was for more excellent than the gift of tongues, the apostle here argues from the absurdity of speaking in the congregation with. strange tongue uninterpreted...

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