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1 Corinthians 14:1. Achieve love; be zealous for spiritual gifts, especially to prophesy. “Be committed to love, be zealous for the spiritual, and above all let you prophesy.” So, since love is such a great asset, consider its acquisition a great deed, without remaining, however, in negligence about spiritual gifts; and prefer prophecy to others. For the Apostle again humbles the arrogance that is magnified by the gift of tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:2. For whoever speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not to men, but to God; because no one understands him, he speaks secrets in the spirit. “He who speaks in tongues does not speak with man, but with God; no one hears, but with the Spirit he speaks mysteries.” The apostle produces both together. The Corinthian accuses him of covetousness and makes him see the need for talent. It was given to preachers because of the different languages ​​of people, so that, having come to the Indians, they would offer the Divine sermon, speaking their language, and also, talking with the Persians, Scythians, Romans and Egyptians, preach to them the Gospel teaching in the language of each of these peoples. Therefore, it was unnecessary for those talking in Corinth to speak in the languages ​​of Scythian, or Persian, or Egyptian, which the Corinthians could not understand. That is why the divine Apostle said that “he who speaks in tongues speaks not to man, but to God,” for he added the following: “no one hears.” And so that they would not consider the talent useless, he added: “But with the Spirit he speaks mysteries.” 1 Corinthians 14:3. And whoever prophesies speaks to people for edification, admonition and comfort. “When man prophesies, he says creation and consolation and affirmation,” because everyone hears what he says. 1 Corinthians 14:4. He who speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; and whoever prophesies edifies the church. “Speaking tongues builds for itself.” For those present did not understand what he was saying. “And he who prophesies builds the Church.” For, seeing both the revelation of thoughts and the discovery of what was happening secretly, they received very great benefit. And so that it would not occur to anyone that the Apostle was saying this, prompted by envy, he of necessity added: 1 Corinthians 14:5. I wish that you all spoke in tongues; but it is better that you prophesy; For he who prophesies is superior to him who speaks in tongues, unless he also speaks, so that the church may be edified. “I want all of you to speak in tongues, or rather let you prophesy: ​​you better prophesy than speak in tongues, unless he speaks, so that the Church will accept creation.” The Apostle made it clear why he said: “more.” I do not belittle, he says, the talent, but I look for its needs: When there is no translator (teller), then prophecy is better, because it is more useful. 1 Corinthians 14:6. Now, if I come to you, brethren, and begin to speak in unknown tongues, what benefit will I bring you if I do not speak to you either by revelation, or knowledge, or prophecy, or teaching? “Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what benefit will I do to you, unless I speak to you either by revelation, or by reason, or by prophecy, or by teaching?” The Apostle again introduced his own face, thereby comforting the accused. Having come to you and speaking in different languages, he says, what benefit will I bring you if I do not teach you, revealing hidden secrets to you, guiding you to the Divine and offering advice that is suitable for you? It also represents a similarity corresponding to the proposed word. 1 Corinthians 14:7. And soulless things that produce sound, a pipe or a harp, if they do not produce separate tones, how can one recognize what is being played on a pipe or a harp? 1 Corinthians 14:8. And if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? “Besides, a soulless voice that gives, even a sniffle, even a harp, even if it doesn’t make a difference by squeaking, how reasonable will squeaking or buzzing be? For if the trumpet sounds unknown, who will prepare for battle? And you yourself know that both the pipe and the harp need some kind of regularity and art. For at the same time, being inanimate, they emit a certain harmonious sound. If someone uses them in action without this, the execution does not matter. Likewise, a trumpet, if it sounds unwarlike, does not arm warriors. 1 Corinthians 14:9. So if you pronounce unintelligible words with your tongue, how will they know what you are saying? You will be talking into the wind. 1 Corinthians 14:10. For example, there are so many different words in the world, and not one of them is without meaning. “So you too, if you do not give a word wisely with your tongue, how will what is spoken be understood? You'll be talking to the air. The capitals, if they come, give birth to voices in the world, and not a single one of them is voiceless.” What harmonious rhythm is for the harp and a military sign for the trumpet, so is “legend” for languages. For when those present do not understand, words flow in vain in the air. 1 Corinthians 14:11. But if I do not understand the meaning of the words, then I am a stranger to the speaker, and the speaker is a stranger to me. “Unless we learn the power of the voice, I will be a foreigner who speaks, and a foreigner who speaks to me.” The Apostle said the same thing in other words. 1 Corinthians 14:12. So you too, being zealous for spiritual gifts, try to be enriched by them for the edification of the church. “So you too, being zealous in spirit by nature, ask for the building of the Church, so that you may abound.” In reproach, the Apostle called the Corinthians “zealous in spirit.” He commands them to do everything for the benefit of the church. 1 Corinthians 14:13. Therefore, speaking in an unknown tongue, pray for the gift of interpretation. “Let him speak with his tongue, let him pray, and let him speak.” Ask, says the Apostle, the One who gave you the gift of tongues, to add the gift of storytelling, so that you can benefit the Church. 1 Corinthians 14:14. For when I pray in an unknown tongue, although my spirit prays, my mind remains unfruitful. “Even though I pray with my tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.” The benefit for the speaker is the benefit of the listeners. The Apostle said this in his Epistle to the Romans: “that I have some fruit in you also, as in the rest of the nations” (Rom. 1:13). Therefore, speaking in another language and not offering stories to those present, I will not have any fruit, because they will not benefit. 1 Corinthians 14:15. What to do? I will begin to pray with the spirit, I will also pray with the mind; I will sing with my spirit, I will also sing with my mind. “What the hell is there? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the mind: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the mind also.” The Apostle calls the gift the spirit, and the mind the explanation of what is said. He says that one who speaks in another language, whether in psalmody, prayer, or teaching, must either himself be a translator for the benefit of those listening, or take someone else who is capable of this as a collaborator in the teaching. 1 Corinthians 14:16. For if you bless with the spirit, how will one who stands in the place of a commoner say: “Amen” when you give thanks? Because he doesn't understand what you're saying. “If you bless with the spirit, fulfill the place of the ignorant, as the Amen says, according to your thanksgiving? Don’t you know what you’re saying?” The Apostle calls a layman in the rank of “ignoramus” (commoner), because those outside the military rank are usually called commoners. 1 Corinthians 14:17. You give thanks well, but the other is not edified. “You thank me kindly, but another one will not be created.” I know, says the Apostle, that, inspired by God’s grace, you sing songs to God; but he who does not know the language does not understand what is spoken. Then the Apostle, shaming the Corinthians, says: 1 Corinthians 14:18. I thank my God: I speak in tongues more than all of you. 1 Corinthians 14:19. but in church I would rather say five words with my mind, in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in an unknown language. “I thank my God, speaking in tongues above all of you. But in church I want to speak five words with my mind, and I use others than these many words with my tongue.” Before you, I was vouchsafed this gift; through me you also received this grace. However, caring for the benefit of many, I prefer clear teaching to unclear one. Then he continues reproachfully: 1 Corinthians 14:20. Brethren! Do not be children in mind: in evil, be babies, but in mind be adults. “Brotherhood, do not be children in your minds: but be infancy with malice, but have perfect minds.” Do not pervert the order and compete not with the lack of understanding, but with the kindness of children; And from those who are perfect in age, borrow not guile, but sharpness. 1 Corinthians 14:21. It is written in the law: I will speak with other tongues and other mouths to this people; but even then they will not listen to Me, says the Lord. “In the law he writes: For with other tongues and with other lips will I speak to this people, and neither will they listen to Me, says the Lord.” This is a prophetic saying (Isa. 28:11); The Apostle called the Old Testament Scripture law. Having presented the evidence, he also adds an interpretation. 1 Corinthians 14:22. So tongues are a sign not for believers, but for unbelievers; prophecy is not for unbelievers, but for believers. “Also the pagans are a sign not to believers, but to unbelievers.” For the difference of languages ​​amazes the unbeliever. This was also experienced by those gathered there on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. Therefore they immediately said: “Are not all those who speak Galileans? And how do we hear” them “each in his own language, in the same language we were born in, Parthians, Medes” and so on (Acts 2:7-9)? “But prophecy is not for those who disbelieve, but for those who believe.” The Apostle has one goal - the benefit of many. Why does he advise the Corinthians to prefer prophecy, as it brings benefit to the whole society. The benefit of the prophecy is shown in the following words: 1 Corinthians 14:23. If the whole church comes together, and everyone begins to speak in unknown tongues, and those who do not know or do not believe come in to you, will they not say that you are mad? “If the whole Church is dreamed of, and all tongues speak, and they come in with foolishness or unfaithfulness, do they not say that you are mad?” The Apostle here called the unbaptized foolish and makes it clear that those who do not understand what is being said will have such an opinion about them that they are going berserk. 1 Corinthians 14:24. But when everyone prophesies, and someone who doesn’t believe or doesn’t know comes in, he is convicted by everyone, judged by everyone. 1 Corinthians 14:25. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed, and he will fall on his face, worship God and say: truly God is with you. “Even if everyone prophesies, someone unfaithful or ignorant comes in, is convicted by everyone, and is tortured by everyone, and the secret of his heart is revealed: and so he falls on his face and worships God, proclaiming that truly God is with you.” Thus fear fell upon everyone when Ananias and Sapphira were rebuked. At the same time, it should be noted that the Apostle clearly called the All-Holy Spirit God here, because the prophecy was the action of the Spirit of God: “But all these things work in one and the same Spirit, dividing power to each as he wills” (1 Cor. 12:11); meanwhile, the Apostle expressed himself here: “fall down on your face and worship God, proclaiming that truly God is with you,” calling the All-Holy Spirit God. So blessed Peter said: “Why has Satan deceived your heart and lied to the Holy Spirit? ...Thou didst not lie to man, but to God” (Acts 5:3-4). Thus, the Apostle, having shown the difference in talents, teaches the Corinthians also the proper deanery for them. 1 Corinthians 14:26. So what, brothers? When you come together, and each of you has a psalm, there is a teaching, there is a tongue, there is a revelation, there is an interpretation - let all this be for edification. “What is it, brothers? Whenever you come together, each of you should have a psalm, have a teaching, have a tongue, have a revelation, have a legend: let everything be for creation.” The apostle again pointed to the body and to the members of the body, for with the word “converge” he pointed to a single body, and with the words “each of you shall have” this or that - to the difference of members; and then again the benefit brought by each to the whole society is expressed with the words: “let everything be for creation.” 1 Corinthians 14:27. If someone speaks an unknown language, speak two, or many three, and then separately, and explain one. “If anyone speaks with a tongue, he says in twos, or multiplies in threes, and in parts.” Do not conduct a general conversation, from which disorder and confusion arise, and do not converse with many: for this, two people are enough. However, let the number of people talking be limited to three. “And let one alone speak.” For those present need to understand what is being said. 1 Corinthians 14:28. If there is no interpreter, then remain silent in church, and speak to yourself and to God. “If there is no narrator, let him remain silent in the church; let him speak to himself and to God.” For it is most inappropriate to use God’s gift to please curiosity, and not for benefit. 1 Corinthians 14:29. And let two or three prophets speak, and let the rest reason. “Let two or three prophets speak, and let the friends reason.” The Divine Apostle already counted spiritual discernment among spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:10). Therefore, the same thing is said here, namely, that those who have been granted this gift reason about what is being said, whether it is said by the action of God’s Spirit. For the devil opposed false prophets to the prophets, and false apostles to the apostles; and the Apostle makes this clear in his Second Epistle to the Corinthians, for he says: “Such are the lying apostles, the workers of flattery” (2 Cor. 11:13). 1 Corinthians 14:30. If there is a revelation to another of those sitting, then the first one should remain silent. “If the one who sits is revealed to another, let the first one remain silent.” If, says the Apostle, another is moved by the grace of the Spirit, then let him who began to speak yield to him. 1 Corinthians 14:31. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that everyone can learn and everyone can be comforted. “You can all prophesy in one way, so that everyone can learn and everyone can be comforted.” Let nothing be done haphazardly or with confusion, because each of you can offer a prophecy to those gathered and through this bring them benefit. This order has remained in the churches to this day, and some of the teachers talk with the people at this solemn meeting, and others at another. 1 Corinthians 14:32. And the spirits of the prophets are obedient to the prophets. And the spirit of the Prophets “Obeys the Prophet.” The Apostle calls gifts the Spirit. So Jesus obeyed Moses, Elisha obeyed Elijah, many prophets obeyed Elisha himself and this very Apostle Timothy, Titus and others. 1 Corinthians 14:33. Because God is not a God of disorder, but of peace. This happens in all the churches of the saints. “For there is no disorder with God, but peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” We are not legitimizing anything new, but we are teaching you those laws of the churches that the Preserver of the World Himself established. since not only men, but also wives were filled with spiritual grace, for God foretold this through the mouth of the prophet Joel: “And I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy” (Joel 2:28), then the Apostle, of necessity, decreed the law for wives. 1 Corinthians 14:34. Let your wives be silent in the churches, for they are not allowed to speak, but to be in subjection, as the law says. “Let your wives be silent in the churches: for they were not commanded to speak, but to obey, as the law says.” For God said to Eve: “Your return is to your husband, and she will have possession of you” (Gen. 3:16). 1 Corinthians 14:35. If they want to learn something, let them ask their husbands about it at home; for it is indecent for a woman to speak in church. “If they want to learn something, they ask in the house of their husbands: it’s shameful for a wife to speak in church.” Then the Apostle again turns to the Corinthians with reproach. 1 Corinthians 14:36. Has the word of God come from you? Or did it reach you alone? “Or has the word of God gone from you? Or are you the only ones who have achieved it? You were not the first and you were not the only ones to accept the gospel preaching. Therefore, do not be content with your own laws, but follow the laws of the Church. 1 Corinthians 14:37. If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual, let him understand that I am writing to you, for these are the commandments of the Lord. “Whoever thinks that he is a prophet or is spiritual, let him understand that what I am writing to you is the commandments of the Lord.” The Apostle called those in whom God's Spirit dwells spiritual. But one deprived of this grace cannot understand. Therefore the Apostle added: 1 Corinthians 14:38. But whoever does not understand, let him not understand. “If anyone does not understand, let him not understand.” Then he offers advice. 1 Corinthians 14:39. So, brethren, be zealous to prophesy, but do not forbid speaking in tongues. “In the same way, my brethren, be zealous to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.” The apostle again showed that one is preferable, but the other is also necessary, for this is signified by the word “do not forbid.” 1 Corinthians 14:40. Only everything should be decent and orderly. “Let everything be done decently and in order.” This Apostle gave the rank to be seen in what was said before. Let us also preserve this decorum and follow the apostolic statutes, so that we may be worthy of communion with the Lawgiver through the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ, with Him befitting glory and splendor to the Father with the All-Holy Spirit, now and always and unto the ages of ages! Amen. You might be interested in: