22 So then tongues are for a sign , not to those who believe but to unbelievers ; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe . 23 Therefore if the whole church assembles together e e and all speak in tongues , and ungifted men or unbelievers enter , will they not say that you are mad ? 24 But if all prophesy , and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters , he is convicted by all , he is called to account by all ; 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed ; and so he will fall on his face and worship God , declaring that God is certainly among you.
26 What is the outcome then , brethren ? When you assemble , each one has a psalm , has a teaching , has a revelation , has a tongue , has an interpretation . Let all things be done for edification . 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue , it should be by two or at the most three , and each in turn , and one must interpret ; 28 but if there is no interpreter , he must keep silent in the church ; and let him speak to himself and to God . 29 Let two or three prophets speak , and let the others pass judgment . 30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated , the first one must keep silent . 31 For you can all prophesy one e by one e , so that all may learn and all may be exhorted ; 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets ; 33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace , as in all the churches of the saints .
34 The women are to keep silent in the churches ; for they are not permitted to speak , but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says . 35 If they desire to learn anything , let them ask their own husbands at home ; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church .
36 Was it from you that the word of God first went forth ? Or has it come to you only ? 37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual , let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment . 38 But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized . 39 Therefore , my brethren , desire earnestly to prophesy , and do not forbid to speak in tongues .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:22-39
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:15-25
(Read 1 Corinthians 14:15-25)
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.
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:26-33
(Read 1 Corinthians 14:26-33)
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.
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:34-40
(Read 1 Corinthians 14:34-40)
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.