1 Corinthians 14:20

P. has argued the superiority of intelligible speech, as a man of practical sense; he finally appeals to the good sense of his readers: “Brethren, be not children in mind” (see parls.) “in judgment” (Ed [2114]), “the reasoning power on its reflective and discriminating side” (El [2115]); φρένες differs from νοῦς much as φρόνιμος from f1σοφός (see notes to 1 Corinthians 4:10; 1 Corinthians 10:15). Emulation and love of display were betraying this Church into a childishness the very opposite of that broad intelligence and enlightenment on which it plumed itself (1Co 1:5, 1 Corinthians 4:10; 1 Corinthians 8:1; 1 Corinthians 10:15, etc.). “It is characteristic of the child to prefer the amusing to the useful, the shining to the solid” (Gd [2116]). This is a keen reproof, softened, however, by the kindly ἀδελφοί (“suavem vim habet,” Bg [2117]). γίνεσθε, “be in effect,” “show yourselves”; cf. 1 Corinthians 11:1, etc. “In malice, however, be babes (act the babe); but in mind show yourselves full-grown (men)”. For the force of the ending in νηπιάζω, cf. πυρρ - άζω, to redden, Matthew 16:2; the vb [2118] is based on νήπιος, a kind of superlative to παιδίον “be (not boyish, but actually) childish” (Ed [2119]), or “ infantile, in malice”. For the antithesis of τέλειος (= ἀνήρ) and νήπιος, see 1 Corinthians 2:6; 1 Corinthians 13:9 ff., and parls. For κακία, cf. note on 1 Corinthians 5:8 : P. desiderates the affection of the little child (see Ephesians 4:32 f., for the qualities opp [2120] to κακία), as Jesus (in Matthew 18:1 ff.) its simplicity and humbleness. Gd [2121] excellently paraphrases this ver.: “Si vous voulez être des enfants, à la bonne heure, pourvu que ce soit quant à la malice; mais, quant à l'intelligence, avancez de plus en plus vers la maturité complète”.

[2114] T. C. Edwards' Commentary on the First Ep. to the Corinthians. 2

[2115] C. J. Ellicott's St. Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians.

[2116] F. Godet's Commentaire sur la prem. Ép. aux Corinthiens (Eng. Trans.).

[2117] Bengel's Gnomon Novi Testamenti.

[2118] verb

[2119] T. C. Edwards' Commentary on the First Ep. to the Corinthians. 2

[2120] opposite, opposition.

[2121] F. Godet's Commentaire sur la prem. Ép. aux Corinthiens (Eng. Trans.).