Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin
Chapter
1 Corinthians 14:1-6
1 Corinthians 14:1-6 1. Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
1. Sectamini caritatem: aemulamini spiritualia, magis autem ut prophetetis.
2. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
2. Nam qui loquitur lingua, non hominibus loquitur sed Deo: nullus enim audit; Spiritu vero loquitur mysteria.
3. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
3. Caeterum qui prophetat, heminibus loquitur ad aedificationem, exhortationem, et consolationem.
4. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
4. Qui loquitur lingua, se ipsum aedificat; at qui prophetat, Ecclesiam aedificat.
5. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
5. Volo autem omnes vos loqui linguis, magis tamen ut prophetetis; maior enim qui prophetat, quam qui linguis loquitur; nisi interpretetur, ut Ecclesia aedificationem accipiat.
6. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
6. Nunc autem, fratres, si venero ad vos linguis loquens, quil vobis prodero, nisi vobis loquar aut per revelationem, aut per scientiam, aut per prophetiam, aut per doctrinam?
As he had previously exhorted them to follow after the more excellent gifts, (1 Corinthians 12:31,) so he exhorts them now to follow after love, 806
806"The word {διώκετε},'' says Doddridge, ``properly signifies --- to pursue with an eagerness like that