(l) No fruit comes to the church by my prayers. in a way suited to the understanding, and by consequence intelligibl. The Tongue has been marked out as an inferior charism, because it does not edify others ; it is less desirable also because it does not turn to account the man’s own intelligence : “If I pray with a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding ( ) is unfruitful”. So it is the seat of ardor or fervor Luke 1:17; Acts 18:25; Romans 12:11; of grief or indignation; Mark 3:12; John 11:33; John 13:21; Acts 17:16. τῷ νοΐ] (dative of instrument) is to be understood, in accordance with 1 Corinthians 14:14, of the interpretation following, which the person speaking with tongues gives of his tongue-prayer ( προσευχ. c. 10. p. 172, 173. Others of the "spiritual gift," or that spiritual influence by which he was endowed. 1 Corinthians 14:14. 14 Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and above all that you may prophesy. It is a very wonderful kind of prayer that rises direct from a person’s spirit to God in heaven. The word "spirit" is often used in the Scriptures as the seat of the affections, and emotions, and passions of various kinds; see Matthew 5:3, "Blessed are the poor in spirit;" Luke 10:21, "Jesus rejoiced in spirit." Paul further cements his authority by stating that his call by Christ Jesus to … Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:6-14 (Read 1 Corinthians 14:6-14) Even an apostle could not edify, unless he spoke so as to be understood by his hearers. His sermon is a speech that, usually, he has prepared carefully for the occasion. 1 Corinthians 14:14 Context. 1-corinthians 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. The church at Corinth had been established on one of Paul's missionary journeys. “the will of God” (v. 1b). Revelation, knowledge, prophecy, teaching 1 Corinthians 14:6. Perhaps his own understanding does not form any distinct and expressible ideas, so that he does not, in fact, take the precise meaning of the words he utters. 12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. should remain silent in the churches. Paul’s context in 1 Corinthians 14 is more focused on what the Corinthian Christians do when they come together as a church than on what they do in their own devotional life. (that is according to the gift which we have received), but we must also be understood of the company, lest that is unprofitable to others which we have spoken. 1 Corinthians 14:5 “I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater … He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. Is unfruitful - Produces nothing that will be of advantage to them. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh [shall be] a barbarian unto me. 14 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. Prophecy benefits everyone in the room with a revelation from God. 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, … —Productive of no distinct ideas which can be remembered and carried away by myself and others. Kar. My intellect, my mind; my mental efforts and operations. to the heart, the will, the disposition, the feelings, as contradistinguished from the understanding; and the sense is, "My feelings find utterance in prayer; my heart is engaged in devotion; my prayer will be acceptable to God, who looks upon the feelings of the heart, and I may have true enjoyment; but my understanding will be unfruitful, that is, will not profit others. (1Co 14:29-33) Prophecy must also be conducted in order. Some have understood it of the Holy Spirit - the Spirit by which Paul says he was actuated. 1-corinthians 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. Prayer in an unknown tongue may stir the man’s own holy emotions, but no definite ideas are conveyed to the understanding of the hearers. It is like a barren tree; a tree that bears nothing that can be of benefit to others. (a) Vid. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let it be two or at most three, and each in turn, and one should interpret. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified. Paul specifics in the course of the discussion every part of public worship; "public preaching" 1 Corinthians 14:2-3, 1 Corinthians 14:5,1 Corinthians 14:13, 1 Corinthians 14:19; "prayer" 1 Corinthians 14:14-15; "singing" 1 Corinthians 14:15; and insists that all should be in a language that should be understood by the people. It is tragic that some think of faith as: “something you believe, even though you know it isn’t so.” Paul is saying: “If the Holy Spirit working on my spirit makes it possible for me to pray in a strange tongue, my spirit does pray, but my mind has no part in it (because it does not understand what is being said).”. My spirit prayeth - The word spirit here (πνεῦμα pneuma) has been variously understood. When we pray with our mind, our prayers are often full of our own desires and thoughts. 1 Corinthians 14:1-40 The First to the Corinthians 14 Pursue love, yet keep striving for * the spiritual gifts, but preferably that you may prophesy. Divisions over leadership - 1 Corinthians 1:10 - 4:21. In the Hebrew tongue, which the greatest part of the Jewish doctors insisted F1 upon should be only used in prayer; which notion might be borrowed from them, and now greatly prevailed in the church at Corinth; and the custom was used by such as had the gift of speaking that language, even though the body and bulk of the people understood it not: Trigland. The city of Corinth was believed to be a city of about 600,000 people when this was written to them. Though tongues is said to be a sign for men (1 Corinthians 14:22), it does not mean it is ever addressed to men, or primarily intended for men. It refers also to feelings, disposition, or temper of mind, in Luke 9:55; Romans 8:15. τῷ πν.) 14:6-14 Even an apostle could not edify, unless he spoke so as to be understood by his hearers. The apostle having so highly commended charity, or love, in the preceding chapter, presses here to an eager pursuit after it; that is, to an exercise of it, and after those things which make for it, and will serve to maintain and increase it: and everything he has said in praise of it before serves as an argument, or reason, to follow hard after it, with an eagerness used in hunting, … 1 Corinthians 14:11 “Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.” If I know not the meaning of the voice - Την δυναμιν της φωνης , The power and signification of the language. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. First Corinthians 14:1–25 describes why the gift of prophecy is superior to the gift of tongues in church services, especially when nobody with the gift of interpreting tongues is available. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue[ a] does not speak to people but to God. John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament, Frédéric Louis Godet - Commentary on Selected Books, Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary, Heinrich Meyer's Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Johann Albrecht Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament, Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible, Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture, Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament, Schaff's Popular Commentary on the New Testament, George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Hodge's Commentary on Romans, Ephesians and First Corintians. But my understanding - (ὁ δὲ νοῦς μου ho de nous mou). 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, … Brethren, Paul used the word “brethren” as punctuation throughout chapter 14 (14:6, 20, 26, 39). 29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others discern. If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone … For if I pray with my tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful, τὸ χάρισμα τὸ δοθέν μοι καὶ κινοῦν τὴν γλῶσσαν, Spirit of God, in so far as He has laid hold of the man and speaks out of him, καρπὸς τοῦ λέγοντος ἡ ὠφέλεια τῶν ἀκουόντων, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. 1 Corinthians chapter 14. my spirit prayeth; I pray with my breath vocally; or else with affection and devotion, understanding what I say myself, and so am edified; or rather with the gift of the Spirit bestowed on me: but my understanding is unfruitful; that is, what I say with understanding to myself is unprofitable to others, not being understood by them. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 1 Corinthians 14:5. Intelligibility in Worship. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. (i) If I pray, when the church is assembled together, in a strange tongue. For if I pray in an unknown tongue. That cannot be so if we pray with our spirit. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Read Introduction to 1 Corinthians “Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.” This verse brings us to a transition in chapter 14 regarding the purpose of tongues (14:21-22). 2 For the person who speaks in another language is not speaking to men but to God, since no one understands him; however, he speaks mysteries in the Spirit. To speak words that have no meaning to those who hear them, is but speaking into the air. When one speaks in tongues, they speak to God. 28 But if there is no interpreter, the person should keep silent in the church and speak to himself and to God. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 1 Corinthians 14 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) Prophecy: A Superior Gift. (6) A reason: because it is not sufficient for us to speak so in the congregation that we ourselves worship God in spirit. Here it refers, it seems to me. KING JAMES VERSION (KJV) TRANSLATION, MEANING, CONTEXT. They cannot understand what I say, and of course, they cannot be profited by what I utter. 1 Corinthians Commentary > chapter 14. 15 So what shall I do? Book of 1 Corinthians Explained We are beginning one of the most important letters that Paul wrote to the churches he had begun. ыке. 1 CORINTHIANS 14:14. In 1 Corinthians 14:14, his description is ‘my spirit is praying’. 1 Corinthians 14:14. + 2 For the one who speaks in a tongue speaks, not to men, but to God, for no one listens, + but he speaks sacred secrets + by the spirit. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. —The former is the religious faculty by which we commune with God; the inner and higher man; the seat of sacred emotions: the latter is the intelligence by which we know and reason about matters presented to our thought. What I say will not he understood by them; and of course, however much benefit I might derive from my devotions, yet they would be useless to others.". The human spirit, which is moved by the divine Spirit. (k) The gift and inspiration which the spirit gives me does its part, but only to myself. Read Introduction to 1 Corinthians “For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.” For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, The first time the New Testament uses the word “tongues” is for known human languages (Acts 2:4-12). дух молится, а ум остается бесплодным. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak … de Sect. See on Romans 8:4. Instructions on marriage and divorce - 1 Corinthians 7:1-24. 1 Corinthians 14:4. Instructions on the betrothed and widowed - 1 Corinthians 7:25-40. 2 For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth; but in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 1 Corinthians 14:13-19 New International Version (NIV) 13 For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. Praying in a tongue, when nobody can interpret, only benefits the one praying. ... 1 Corinthians 14:14. But it is probable that the word "spirit" refers to the "will;" or to the mind, as the seat of the affections and emotions; that is, to the heart, desires, or intentions. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. τὸ χάρισμα τὸ δοθέν μοι καὶ κινοῦν τὴν γλῶσσαν, prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful, Paul shows that for worship to be helpful, and for a sane and sound church life, the, must work together with the energies of the (human), In a sense, these next few verses counterbalance what he said in, Paul is completely opposed to a blind fanaticism or irrational mysticism. For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 1 Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. The Apostle is here speaking of public worship (see 1Corinthians 14:16), and not of private devotion; and the word "fruitless" implies the result, or rather the absence of result, as regards others. 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation. Divisions and disorder in the body of Christ - 1 Corinthians 5:1 - 6:20. To get what 1 Corinthians 14:14 means based on its source text, scroll down or follow these links for the original scriptural meaning , biblical context and relative popularity. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. 1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. In most modern church meetings, the church leader speaks to all the people present. —And do not follow with an interpretation. 3. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. Others of the mind itself. 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