Scofield Reference Bible Notes
1 Corinthians 14

1Co 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

charity

love.

spiritual gifts…prophesy

The subject is still the pneumatika.

• Chapter 12. described the gifts and the Body
• Chapter 13. the love which alone gives ministry of gift any value;
• Chapter 14. regulates the ministry of gift in the primitive, apostolic assembly of saints.

1. The important gift is that of prophecy (1Co 1:1). The N.T. prophet was not merely a preacher, but an inspired preacher, through whom, until the N.T. was written, new revelations suited to the new dispensation were given (1Co 14:29-30).
2. Tongues and the sign gifts are to cease, and meantime must be used with restraint, and only if an interpreter be present (1Co 14:1-19, 27-28).
3. In the primitive church there was liberty for the ministry of all the gifts which might be present, but for prophecy more especially (1Co 14:23-26, 31, 39).
4. In such meetings, when "the whole church" came together "in one place," women were required to keep silence (1Co 14:34-35; 11:3-16; 1Ti 2:11-14).
5. These injunctions are declared to be "the commandments of the Lord" (1Co 14:36-37).

1Co 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

an unknown tongue

Or, a tongue; and so in 1Co 14:4, 13-14, 19, 27.

understandeth

Greek heareth.

1Co 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

the church

Churches (local). 1Co 14:1-5, 35. (Act 2:41; Phl 1:1).

1Co 14:10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

world

i.e. earth.

1Co 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

edifying of the church

Rom 14:19; Eph 4:29.

1Co 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

pray with the spirit, and…understanding

Jhn 4:24.

sing with the spirit

Eph 5:19; Col 3:16.

1Co 14:16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

spirit

Holy Spirit (N.T.). 1Co 14:2, 15-16; 2Co 1:22. (Mat 1:18; Act 2:4.)

1Co 14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

children

Greek paidon, youths.

children

babes.

1Co 14:21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

With men of other tongues and other lips

Isa 28:11-12; Deu 28:49.

1Co 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

tongues are for a sign

Mar 16:17; Act 2:6.

1Co 14:23 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?

ye are mad [insane]

Act 2:13.

1Co 14:25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

he will worship God

Isa 45:14.

1Co 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

Let all things be done unto edifying

1Co 14:40; 1Co 14:26, 33.

1Co 14:27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

by course

Or, in turn.

1Co 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

Let the prophets speak

1Th 5:19-20.

1Co 14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

spirits of the prophets are subject

Psa 39:2-3.

1Co 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

under obedience

Cf. Gen 3:16.

1Co 14:35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

their husbands at home

their own husbands.

church

Churches (local). 1Co 15:9. (Act 2:41; Phl 1:1).

1Co 14:36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

came the word of God out from you

Isa 2:3; Luk 24:47; Rom 15:19.

1Co 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

If any man think himself to be a prophet

1Jo 4:6.

I write unto you are the commandments

Inspiration. Gal 1:11-12. (Exo 4:15; Rev 22:19.)