14:1–25 In the previous chapter, Paul focuses entirely on love. He now returns to his previous instruction to pursue the greater gifts (12:31). The Superiority of Prophecy over Tongues (14:1–19) SS:TE1C1214

14:2 does not speak to people but to God Paul’s teaching on spiritual gifts, including tongues, generally emphasizes the importance of using gifts to build up the faith of others. A prayer (angelic) language between a believer and God does not encourage the faith of those who cannot understand what is said; when used in public, an interpreter should be present. See note on 12:10.

no one understands May suggest that the language requires an interpreter, or it may suggest that neither the speaker nor anyone else may understand it.

14:3 edification Refers to the spiritual development of the individual and the congregation. Compare 1 Cor 10:23; 14:4.

14:4 The one who speaks in a tongue Speaking in a tongue refers to a language between a person and God that is unintelligible to others. For this reason, Paul promotes prophecy over tongues for the Corinthian church. See note on 12:10.

the one who prophesies See note on 12:10.

the church See note on 1:2.

14:5 I want you all to speak with tongues Paul did not have a problem with the gift of tongues; he simply disapproved of the Corinthians’ use of the gift without an interpreter.

The one who prophesies is greater In this context, the gift of prophecy is greater than the gift of tongues because it can benefit the entire church community (see note on 12:31).

14:6 a revelation Refers to mysteries about the gospel message (how God wishes to use it in a particular community) that the Spirit reveals (Gal 2:2; see 2 Cor 12:1 and note).

a prophecy See note on 1 Cor 12:10.

a teaching Represents an intelligible form of communication that edifies believers.

14:8 an indistinct sound These sounds do not benefit those who hear them because they do not make sense (13:1).

14:9 tongue Refers to the physical organ, not the gift of tongues.

into the air Implies that such speech is useless or ineffective.

14:11 a barbarian The Greek term used here, barbaros, originally referred to a person who speaks nonsense—that is, someone who did not speak Greek. Here it’s likely a reference to the people groups that the Greeks could not conquer and the Romans had minimal success ruling.

14:12 spiritual gifts Paul may be referring to the gift of tongues here instead of the spiritual gifts collectively. Compare note on 12:7.

edification See note on v. 3.

14:13 one who speaks in a tongue The interpretation may come from the speaker or another hearer (Acts 2:5–11). See note on 1 Cor 14:4.

14:14 my mind is unproductive Without an interpretation, the speaker does not benefit intellectually, and neither does anyone else.

14:16 the outsider Refers to someone who does not understand those speaking in tongues—probably a nonbeliever visiting the community (see vv. 23–24).

14:17 edified See note on 1 Cor 14:3.

14:19 I may instruct The Greek word used here, katēcheō, refers to detailed or systematic religious instruction.

in a tongue See note on 12:10.

14:20 children Symbolizes immaturity. Paul urges the Corinthians not to be selfish and consumed by what is new and exciting over what is beneficial.

be as a child Symbolizes innocence or lack of experience.

14:21 it is written Paul draws on a passage from Isaiah to emphasize the use of tongues as a sign to unbelievers (Isa 28:11–12).

14:22 for a sign Indicates that tongues are intended to function as a sign of God’s activity. When rightly practiced, tongues have the power to draw people to God (1 Cor 14:23–24).

14:23 you are out of your minds The unbeliever may associate the chaos of the Corinthians’ worship gathering with the practices of the mystery cults.

14:24 outsider Refers to someone who is not knowledgeable about the Christian faith—an unbeliever. See note on v. 16.

he is convicted by all Implies that the unbelieving visitor will become aware of his or her sins (see John 16:8).

he is judged by all Implies that the Holy Spirit will convict the unbeliever of sin, so that he or she will turn to God in repentance.

14:25 secret things of his heart Prophecy can reveal what is hidden to people, even the secret things within the heart (1 Cor 2:11).

he will worship God Describes the conversion of the unbeliever to the Christian faith.

14:26 you come together Refers to the assembly of believers for worship.

a psalm May refer to a psalm of the ot or a Christian song (see Col 3:16; 5:19).

for edification Indicates the purpose of the worship gathering. See note on 1 Cor 14:3.

14:27 one must interpret See note on v. 3.

14:28 he must be silent in the church When God’s message is spoken through tongues in the context of the church (ekklēsia in Greek), it must be interpreted.

Ekklēsia Word Study

14:29 two or three prophets speak Older prophets trained younger prophets; prophets had disciples (see 2 Kgs 2:3; 4:1; 5:22; 6:1).

14:30 first must be silent Refers to the person with the gift to speak in tongues.

14:31 to prophesy See note on 1 Cor 12:10.

all may be encouraged See 4:13; compare 1:10 and note.

14:32 spirits Paul uses the Greek word pneuma here, making this particular phrase ambiguous in Greek. It may refer to the prophet’s spirit (indwelled by the Holy Spirit), the Holy Spirit himself, or the spiritual gift of prophecy (compare vv. 12, 14–15).

Pneuma Word Study

14:33 As in all the churches of the saints If this phrase begins v. 34 rather than ending Paul’s previous argument, then he is prohibiting women from speaking in all churches. However, this phrase may instead function as the conclusion to Paul’s specific instructions begun in vv. 26–33, as he uses it this way elsewhere (e.g., 4:17; 11:16).

14:34 women must be silent If this functions as a rule for all churches in Paul’s time (see note on v. 33), then Paul is forbidding women from speaking in church, especially during worship, and is likely doing so for reasons specific to his first-century Graeco-Roman context. However, Paul may be addressing a particular problem among the Corinthian congregation (or possibly all churches in the first century ad). In this case, Paul’s prohibition may apply specifically to women who were speaking in tongues or uttering prophesies in an inappropriate manner. Alternatively, he may be addressing women who were disrupting worship services with questions and thereby challenging the authority of their husbands. Ultimately, Paul’s goal in the passage is to reestablish order in worship, not to demean the honor of women or devalue their worship of God.

they must be in submission Paul is likely making this statement either because some of the women in the congregation were causing strife, or perhaps because women were the center of local folk religion (often called mystery cults) and thus following Jesus was being confused with other religions. Paul discusses the role of women in Corinthian worship in more detail earlier (11:2–16). See note on Eph 5:21.

just as the law also says While Paul refers to the Law and quotes it elsewhere (see 1 Cor 9:8; 14:21), this is not a quotation nor does it match the content of any ot law. It may refer to Gen 2:18–24, in which God created Adam first and Eve second. It is also possible that this refers to Gen 3:16, where God pronounces that the woman shall desire her husband.

14:35 shameful for a woman to speak in church Paul may be referring to women who caused disorder at the worship assembly (compare note on 1 Cor 14:34).

14:36 word of God Refers to the gospel message (compare Acts 4:31; 6:2; 8:14). Paul does not want the Corinthians to forget his role in bringing the word of God to them. He reasserts his authority in preparation of his teaching in the verses that follow.

14:37 If anyone thinks The Corinthian believers regarded themselves as spiritual, yet they were not convinced by Paul’s views—instead they were employing syncretism with other religions and demoting the poor to a lower standing within the church. Paul insists that if they are truly “spiritual” they will understand that what he writes comes from the Spirit.

of the Lord Indicates that Paul’s instruction comes from Jesus and bears His authority.

14:39 speaking with tongues See note on 1 Cor 12:10.