The word prophesy is used here, as so largely in Scripture, not in the limited sense of foretelling the future, but of pouring forth heaven-given speech. There was a strong tendency at Corinth to magnify the use of tongues; that is, forms of utterance which the assembly could not understand. The Apostle rebukes this, and says that it is far better to be able to speak to the edification of the hearers. Indeed, he directs that speech in an unknown tongue should be withheld, unless someone were present who could explain and interpret it.
The gift of tongues was a special sign intended for the convincing of that age, but it was not a necessary accompaniment of the filling of the Holy Spirit, and is certainly of inferior value. A mere blare of a trumpet, without note or modulation, conveys no meaning to the waiting ranks of soldiers; and the mere sound of an unknown tongue startles without teaching. Do not be content merely to make a sound; say something. Seek to do actual service to others is one of the three directions suggested in 1 Corinthians 14:3. Edification is the building up of the soul in truth. Comfort is for the distressed and weary. Consolation is the heartening of the soul to fresh enterprise. [source]
Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 14
1Prophecy is commended, 2and preferred before speaking in tongues, 6by a comparison drawn from musical instruments 12Both must be referred to edification, 22as to their true and proper end 26The true use of each is taught, 27and the abuse rebuked 34Women in the churches
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 14:10
It may be [ει τυχοι] Condition of fourth class (ει ei and aorist optative of τυγχανω tugchanō), if it should happen. Common enough idiom. Cf. τυχον tuchon in 1 Corinthians 16:6. [source]
Voices - without signification [φωνῶν - ἄφωνων] The translation loses the word-play. So many kinds of voices, and no kind is voiceless. By voices are meant languages. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 14:10
Acts 2:6When this sound was heard [γενομενης της πωνης ταυτης] Genitive absolute with aorist middle participle. Note πωνη phōnē this time, not ηχο ēcho as in Acts 2:1. Πωνη Phōnē originally meant sound as of the wind (John 3:8) or an instrument (1 Corinthians 14:7,1 Corinthians 14:8,1 Corinthians 14:10), then voice of men. The meaning seems to be that the excited “other tongues” of Acts 2:4 were so loud that the noise drew the crowd together. The house where the 120 were may have been (Hackett) on one of the avenues leading to the temple. [source]
1 Corinthians 15:37It may chance [ει τυχοι] Fourth class condition as in 1 Corinthians 14:10 which see. Paul is rich in metaphors here, though usually not so (Howson, Metaphors of St. Paul). Paul was a city man. We sow seeds, not plants (bodies). The butterfly comes out of the dying worm. [source]
What do the individual words in 1 Corinthians 14:10 mean?
So manyifit may bekindsof languagesthere arein[the] worldandnonewithout meaning
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 14:10
Condition of fourth class (ει ei and aorist optative of τυγχανω tugchanō), if it should happen. Common enough idiom. Cf. τυχον tuchon in 1 Corinthians 16:6. [source]
Old adjective Without the faculty of speech (1 Corinthians 12:2; Acts 8:32; 2 Peter 2:16). [source]
The translation loses the word-play. So many kinds of voices, and no kind is voiceless. By voices are meant languages. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 14:10
Genitive absolute with aorist middle participle. Note πωνη phōnē this time, not ηχο ēcho as in Acts 2:1. Πωνη Phōnē originally meant sound as of the wind (John 3:8) or an instrument (1 Corinthians 14:7, 1 Corinthians 14:8, 1 Corinthians 14:10), then voice of men. The meaning seems to be that the excited “other tongues” of Acts 2:4 were so loud that the noise drew the crowd together. The house where the 120 were may have been (Hackett) on one of the avenues leading to the temple. [source]
Fourth class condition as in 1 Corinthians 14:10 which see. Paul is rich in metaphors here, though usually not so (Howson, Metaphors of St. Paul). Paul was a city man. We sow seeds, not plants (bodies). The butterfly comes out of the dying worm. [source]