In this chapter the apostle directs them about the use of their spiritual gifts, preferring those that are best and fitted to do the greatest good. I. He begins with advising them of all spiritual gifts to prefer prophesying, and shows that this is much better than speaking with tongues, 1 Cor.

The apostle, in the foregoing chapter, had himself preferred, and advised the Corinthians to prefer, Christian charity to all spiritual gifts. Here he teaches them, among spiritual gifts, which they should prefer, and by what rules they should make comparison. He begins the chapter, I.

In this paragraph he goes on to show how vain a thing the ostentation of speaking unknown and unintelligible language must be. It was altogether unedifying and unprofitable : If I come to you speaking with tongues, what will it profit you, unless I speak to you by revelation, or by knowledge, or by…

The apostle here sums up the argument hitherto, and, I. Directs them how they should sing and pray in public : What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, &c.

In this passage the apostle pursues the argument, and reasons from other topics; as, I. Tongues, as the Corinthians used them, were rather a token of judgment from God than mercy to any people : In the law (that is, the Old Testament) it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I…

In this passage the apostle reproves them for their disorder, and endeavours to correct and regulate their conduct for the future. I. He blames them for the confusion they introduced into the assembly, by ostentation of their gifts : When you come together every one hath a psalm, hath a doctrine,…

Here the apostle, 1. Enjoins silence on their women in public assemblies, and to such a degree that they must not ask questions for their own information in the church, but ask their husbands at home.

In these verses the apostle closes his argument, 1. With a just rebuke of the Corinthians for their extravagant pride and self-conceit: they so managed with their spiritual gifts as no church did like them; they behaved in a manner by themselves, and would not easily endure control nor regulation.