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Verse Takeaways
1
Usefulness Defines Value
Paul establishes a crucial principle: a spiritual gift's value is measured by its usefulness to the church, not by how spectacular it seems. Commentators like Barnes and Henry note that prophecy (clear teaching) is called "greater" than tongues because it directly builds up the community. A humble, useful gift is more valuable than a dazzling one that doesn't help others.
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Book Overview
1 Corinthians
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Composition
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Commentaries
7
Albert Barnes
On 1 Corinthians 14:5
18th Century
Theologian
I would that you all spoke with tongues. It is an important endowment and, in its place, is not to be undervalued.
It may be of gre…
AT Robertson
On 1 Corinthians 14:5
Except he interpret (εκτος ε μη διερμηνευη). Pleonastic combination of εκτος (preposition except) and ε μη (if not, unless) as in …
Charles Ellicott
On 1 Corinthians 14:5
19th Century
Bishop
I would that ye all spake with tongues.—To avoid the danger of misunderstanding or misrepresentation, the Apostle emphati…
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Expositor's Bible Commentary
On 1 Corinthians 14:5
Paul emphatically restates v.1b: Speak in tongues, you Corinthians, yes; but more than that, I want you to prophesy, because this gift brings under…
John Calvin
On 1 Corinthians 14:5
16th Century
Theologian
I would that ye all spake with tongues. Again he declares that he does not give such a preference to prophecy as not to leave som…
John Gill
On 1 Corinthians 14:5
17th Century
Pastor
I would that you all spoke with tongues
This the apostle says, to prevent being misunderstood; for his view was not …
Matthew Henry
On 1 Corinthians 14:1–5
17th Century
Minister
Prophesying, that is, explaining Scripture, is compared with speaking with tongues. This drew more attention than the plain interpretation of Scrip…