A.T. Robertson Commentary 1 Corinthians 14
A.T. Robertson Commentary
1 Corinthians 14
A.T. Robertson Commentary
1 Corinthians 14
"Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritual [gifts], but rather that ye may prophesy." — 1 Corinthians 14:1 (ASV)
Follow after love (διωκετε την αγαπην). As if a veritable chase. Paul comes back to the idea in 12:31 (same use of ζηλουτε) and proves the superiority of prophecy to the other spiritual gifts not counting faith, hope, love of 13:13.
But rather that ye may prophesy (μαλλον δε ινα προφητευητε). Distinct aim in view as in verse 5. Old verb from προφητης, common in N.T. Present subjunctive, "that ye may keep on prophesying."
"For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth; but in the spirit he speaketh mysteries." — 1 Corinthians 14:2 (ASV)
For no man understandeth (ουδεις γαρ ακουε). Literally, hears, gets the sense, understands. Verb ακουω used either of hearing the sound only or getting the idea (cf. Acts 9:7; 22:9).
Mysteries (μυστηρια). Unexplained mysteries (1 Corinthians 2:7).
"But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation." — 1 Corinthians 14:3 (ASV)
Edification (οικοδομην). Building up.
Comfort (παρακλησιν). Encouragement, calling to one's side.
Consolation (παραμυθιαν). Old word (from παρα, μυθοσ, παραμυθεομα 1 Thessalonians 2:12 which see, a stimulating word), nowhere else in N.T., but παραμυθιον in Php 2:1 with παρακλησις as here. Edification, cheer, incentive in these words.
"He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church." — 1 Corinthians 14:4 (ASV)
The church (εκκλησιαν). No article, literally, "a church" (local use). Not η εκκλησια.
"Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying." — 1 Corinthians 14:5 (ASV)
Except he interpret (εκτος ε μη διερμηνευη). Pleonastic combination of εκτος (preposition except) and ε μη (if not, unless) as in 15:2; 1 Timothy 5:19. For use of ε with subjunctive rather than εαν see Php 3:12 (common enough in the Koine, Robertson, Grammar, pp. 1017f., condition of third class). On the verb see on 12:30; Luke 24:27; Acts 9:36.
Receive (λαβη). Second aorist (ingressive) active subjunctive of λαμβανω, may get edification.
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