Chapter 14
Prophecy
preferred to the gift of tongues
|
1–5
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The
unprofitableness of speaking in unknown languages
|
6–14
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Exhortations
to worship that can be understood
|
15–25
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Disorders
from vain display of gifts
|
26–33
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and
from women speaking in the church
|
34–40
|
Verses 1–5
Prophesying,
that is, explaining Scripture, is compared with speaking with tongues. This
drew attention, more than the plain interpretation of Scripture; it gratified
pride more, but promoted the purposes of Christian charity less; it would not
equally do good to the souls of men. What cannot be understood, never can
edify. No advantage can be reaped from the most excellent discourses, if
delivered in language such as the hearers cannot speak or understand. Every
ability or possession is valuable in proportion to its usefulness. Even
fervent, spiritual affection must be governed by the exercise of the
understanding, else men will disgrace the truths they profess to promote.
Verses 6–14
Even an
apostle could not edify, unless he spoke so as to be understood by his hearers.
To speak words that have no meaning to those who hear them, is but speaking
into the air. That cannot answer the end of speaking, which has no meaning; in
this case, speaker and hearers are barbarians to each other. All religious
services should be so performed in Christian assemblies, that all may join in,
and profit by them. Language plain and easy to be understood, is the most
proper for public worship, and other religious exercises. Every true follower
of Christ will rather desire to do good to others, than to get a name for
learning or fine speaking.
Verses 15–25
There can
be no assent to prayers that are not understood. A truly Christian minister
will seek much more to do spiritual good to men’s souls, than to get the
greatest applause to himself. This is proving himself the servant of Christ.
Children are apt to be struck with novelty; but do not act like them.
Christians should be like children, void of guile and malice; yet they should
not be unskilful as to the word of righteousness, but only as to the arts of
mischief. It is a proof that a people are forsaken of God, when he gives them
up to the rule of those who teach them to worship in another language. They can
never be benefitted by such teaching. Yet thus the preachers did who delivered
their instructions in an unknown tongue. Would it not make Christianity
ridiculous to a heathen, to hear the ministers pray or preach in a language
which neither he nor the assembly understood? But if those who minister,
plainly interpret Scripture, or preach the great truths and rules of the
gospel, a heathen or unlearned person might become a convert to Christianity.
His conscience might be touched, the secrets of his heart might be revealed to
him, and so he might be brought to confess his guilt, and to own that God was
present in the assembly. Scripture truth, plainly and duly taught, has a
wonderful power to awaken the conscience and touch the heart.
Verses 26–33
Religious
exercises in public assemblies should have this view; Let all be done to
edifying. As to the speaking in an unknown tongue, if another were present who
could interpret, two miraculous gifts might be exercised at once, and thereby
the church be edified, and the faith of the hearers confirmed at the same time.
As to prophesying, two or three only should speak at one meeting, and this one
after the other, not all at once. The man who is inspired by the Spirit of God
will observe order and decency in delivering his revelations. God never teaches
men to neglect their duties, or to act in any way unbecoming their age or
station.
Verses 34–40
When the
apostle exhorts Christian women to seek information on religious subjects from
their husbands at home, it shows that believing families ought to assemble for
promoting spiritual knowledge. The Spirit of Christ can never contradict
itself; and if their revelations are against those of the apostle, they do not
come from the same Spirit. The way to keep peace, truth, and order in the
church, is to seek that which is good for it, to bear with that which is not
hurtful to its welfare, and to keep up good behaviour, order, and decency.
Excerpt from:
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible
Matthew Henry (1662 - 1714)
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