Commentaries:
People's Commentary (NT)
1 Corinthians 14:5
Greater [is] he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues.
Greater, because he serves the church best. Unless the tongues were
interpreted, they were an unmeaning sound to the church, while he who
prophesied, instructed and built up.
NOTE.--Concerning this gift of tongues, there is considerable
confusion among commentators. Some have held that it was a sort of
rhapsody under the influence of the Spirit in no earthly language.
Others have held that it was a gift of the knowledge of foreign
languages to the early Christians to enable them to preach the gospel
to all nations. Neither view appears to be correct. (1) Undoubtedly
there was a manifestation of the gift of tongues on the Day of
Pentecost. Parthians, Medes, Elamites, Greeks, Romans, heard in their
own language (Acts 2:8-11). (2) It was not a gift of the "knowledge"
of a foreign language, for the speaker did not understand his own words
(1 Corinthians 14:13). (3) It was a gift, not for exercise in the church,
but a "sign to them that believe not" (1 Corinthians 14:22). When they heard
the gospel message in a tongue which the speaker did not understand,
but in their own tongue (as on the Day of Pentecost), their wonder was
excited, and many would confess that it was the work of God.
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Acts 19:6
1 Corinthians 14:5
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