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Text -- 1 Corinthians 14:13 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
14:13 So then, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.
Parallel   Cross Reference (TSK)   ITL  

Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: Unknown Tongue | Tongues | Tongue | TONGUES, GIFT OF | TEACH; TEACHER; TEACHING | Preaching | PROPHECY; PROPHETS, 2 | Miracles | MINISTRY | Language | Interpreter | Interpretation | HOLY SPIRIT, 2 | Corinth | Church | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Vincent , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , Defender , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
, Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College , McGarvey , Lapide

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: 1Co 14:13 - -- Let him pray that he may interpret ( proseuchesthō hina diermēneuēi ). Else he had better cease talking in a tongue.

Let him pray that he may interpret ( proseuchesthō hina diermēneuēi ).

Else he had better cease talking in a tongue.

Vincent: 1Co 14:13 - -- Pray that he may interpret ( προσευχέσθω ἵνα διερμηνεύῃ ) Not, pray for the gift of interpretation, but use his...

Pray that he may interpret ( προσευχέσθω ἵνα διερμηνεύῃ )

Not, pray for the gift of interpretation, but use his unknown tongue in prayer, which, above all other spiritual gifts, would minister to the power of interpreting.

Wesley: 1Co 14:13 - -- Which was a distinct gift.

Which was a distinct gift.

JFB: 1Co 14:13 - -- Explain, "Let him who speaketh with a tongue [unknown] in his prayer (or, when praying) strive that he may interpret" [ALFORD]. This explanation of "p...

Explain, "Let him who speaketh with a tongue [unknown] in his prayer (or, when praying) strive that he may interpret" [ALFORD]. This explanation of "pray" is needed by its logical connection with "prayer in an unknown tongue" (1Co 14:14). Though his words be unintelligible to his hearers, let him in them pray that he may obtain the gift of interpreting, which will make them "edifying" to "the church" (1Co 14:12).

Clarke: 1Co 14:13 - -- Pray that he may interpret - Let him who speaks or reads the prophetic declarations in the Old Testament, in that tongue in which they were original...

Pray that he may interpret - Let him who speaks or reads the prophetic declarations in the Old Testament, in that tongue in which they were originally spoken and written, pray to God that he may so understand them himself, and receive the gift of interpretation, that he may be able to explain them in all their depth and latitude to others.

Calvin: 1Co 14:13 - -- 13.Wherefore let him that speaketh in another tongue This is an anticipation, by way of reply to a question which might very readily be proposed to h...

13.Wherefore let him that speaketh in another tongue This is an anticipation, by way of reply to a question which might very readily be proposed to him. “If any one, therefore, is able to speak a foreign language, will the gift be useless? Why should that be kept back, which might be brought out to light, to the glory of God?” He shows the remedy. “Let him,” says he, “ask from God the gift of interpretation also. If he is without this, let him abstain in the meantime from ostentation.” 826

Defender: 1Co 14:13 - -- The word "interpret" in this verse is the Greek diermeneuo, meaning "explain" or "expound" or (if from another language) "translate." It is also the w...

The word "interpret" in this verse is the Greek diermeneuo, meaning "explain" or "expound" or (if from another language) "translate." It is also the word used in 1Co 12:30; 1Co 14:5; 1Co 14:27; 1Co 14:28. The only two other occurrences in the New Testament are in Act 9:36 and Luk 24:2. However, the word translated "interpretation" in 1Co 12:10 and 1Co 14:26 is hermeneia, from which we get our English word "hermeneutics" (see also its only other occurrences in Joh 1:38, Joh 1:42; Joh 9:7 and Heb 7:2). It seems to be used only of actual "translation" applications. In any case, Paul stresses here again that speaking in a foreign tongue was of no value if no one could understand what the speaker said.

The gift of interpretation enabled its possessor to translate what someone of another nation was saying, an ability which would have particular value when trying to communicate with "barbarians" (1Co 14:11). If there was no such person present, however, then the responsibility fell to one who would presume to speak to the congregation in a foreign language and also to translate it for them. This restriction obviously put a serious curb on the wanton display of the gift of tongues to a group of people unable to comprehend its message."

TSK: 1Co 14:13 - -- pray : 1Co 14:27, 1Co 14:28, 1Co 12:10,1Co 12:30; Mar 11:24; Joh 14:13, Joh 14:14; Act 1:14, Act 4:29-31, Act 8:15

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: 1Co 14:13 - -- Pray that he may interpret - Let him ask of God ability that he may explain it clearly to the church. It would seem probable that the power of ...

Pray that he may interpret - Let him ask of God ability that he may explain it clearly to the church. It would seem probable that the power of speaking foreign languages, and the power of conveying truth in a clear and distinct manner, were not always found in the same person, and that the one did not of necessity imply the other. The truth seems to have been, that these extraordinary endowments of the Holy Spirit were bestowed upon people in some such way as "ordinary"talents and mental powers are now conferred; and that they became in a similar sense the "characteristic mental endowments of the individual,"and of course were subject to the same laws, and liable to the same kinds of abuse, as mental endowments are now. And as it now happens that one man may have a special faculty for acquiring and expressing himself in a foreign language who may not be by any means distinguished for clear enunciation, or capable of conveying his ideas in an interesting manner to a congregation, so it was then.

The apostle, therefore, directs such, if any there were, instead of priding themselves on their endowments, and instead of always speaking in an unknown tongue, which would he useless to the church, to "pray"for the more useful gift of being able to convey their thoughts in a clear and intelligible manner in their vernacular tongue. This would be useful. The truths, therefore, that they had the power of speaking with eminent ability in a foreign language, they ought to desire to be able to "interpret"so that they would be intelligible to the people whom they addressed in the church. This seems to me to be the plain meaning of this passage, which has given so much perplexity to commentators. Macknight renders it, however, "Let him who prayeth in a foreign language, pray so as some one may interpret;"meaning that he who prayed in a foreign language was to do it by two or three sentences at a time, so that he might be followed by an interpreter. But this is evidently forced. In order to this, it is needful to suppose that the phrase ὁ λαλῶν ho lalōn , "that speaketh,"should be rendered, contrary to its obvious and usual meaning, "who prays,"and to supply τις tis , "someone,"in the close of the verse. The obvious interpretation is that which is given above; and this proceeds only on the supposition that the power of speaking foreign languages and the power of interpreting were not always united in the same person - a supposition that is evidently true, as appears from 1Co 12:10.

Poole: 1Co 14:13 - -- To interpret here signifieth no more, than to render that intelligible to people, which he first uttereth in an unknown tongue. But what need he p...

To interpret here signifieth no more, than to render that intelligible to people, which he first uttereth in an unknown tongue. But what need he pray for that? Hath not every man that can speak a power to speak his native language, as well as a foreign language? Some say, therefore, that ina in this place signifies also, let him pray and also interpret; but this seemeth hard: nor can I think those that had a faculty to speak in an unknown tongue, might some of them not themselves understand what they said, and so had need to pray that they might interpret: but they might be puffed up with their gift, and think it beneath them to interpret, and then they had need to pray that they might have humility enough to interpret. Others think, that by interpreting in this place, is meant something more than bare translating, or turning the words into the common language of the place, viz. the opelling and applying of the Scriptures, an ability to which was a distinct gift; which they who would have, had need pray that God would open their eyes to understand the mysteries of his law.

Haydock: 1Co 14:13 - -- Pray that he may interpret. In order that he may be rendered more useful to the Church, as the martyrs, who prayed for those particular gifts they s...

Pray that he may interpret. In order that he may be rendered more useful to the Church, as the martyrs, who prayed for those particular gifts they saw would be most useful for themselves, or their neighbours. (Calmet)

Gill: 1Co 14:13 - -- Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue,.... The Hebrew, or any other, the gift of speaking with which is bestowed upon him: pray that...

Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue,.... The Hebrew, or any other, the gift of speaking with which is bestowed upon him:

pray that he may interpret; that he may have also the gift of interpretation of tongues; for as has been before hinted, these two gifts were distinct; and a man might have the one, and not the other; a man might speak in an unknown tongue, so as to understand himself, what he said, and be edified, and yet not be capable of translating it at once into the common language of the people; and if he could not do this, he would not excel in his gift to the edification of the church; whereas if he could interpret he would, and therefore, above all things, he should pray to the Father of lights, the giver of every good and perfect gift, that he might be furnished with this also.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

Geneva Bible: 1Co 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue ( h ) pray that he may interpret. ( h ) Pray for the gift of interpretation.

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: 1Co 14:1-40 - --1 Prophecy is commended,2 and preferred before speaking with tongues,6 by a comparison drawn from musical instruments.12 Both must be referred to edif...

MHCC: 1Co 14:6-14 - --Even an apostle could not edify, unless he spoke so as to be understood by his hearers. To speak words that have no meaning to those who hear them, is...

Matthew Henry: 1Co 14:6-14 - -- 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 une...

Barclay: 1Co 14:1-19 - --This chapter is very difficult to understand because it deals with a phenomenon which, for most of us, is outside our experience. Throughout Paul s...

Constable: 1Co 7:1--16:13 - --III. Questions asked of Paul 7:1--16:12 The remainder of the body of this epistle deals with questions the Corin...

Constable: 1Co 12:1--14:40 - --E. Spiritual gifts and spiritual people chs. 12-14 Paul had been dealing with matters related to worship...

Constable: 1Co 14:1-25 - --4. The need for intelligibility 14:1-25 Paul went on to elaborate on the inferiority of the gift...

Constable: 1Co 14:13-19 - --Application in view of believers 14:13-19 Paul continued his argument by clarifying the effect that unintelligible speech has on believers gathered fo...

College: 1Co 14:1-40 - --1 CORINTHIANS 14 D. GIFTS OF PROPHECY AND TONGUES (14:1-25) 1. Tongues and Prophecy Compared (14:1-5) 1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire s...

McGarvey: 1Co 14:13 - --Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may interpret .

Lapide: 1Co 14:1-40 - --CHAPTER XIV SYNOPSIS OF THE CHAPTER i. He puts prophecy before the gift of tongues, because ( a ) it is of great use in edifying others, and tongue...

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) First Corinthians From Ephesus a.d. 54 Or 55 By Way of Introduction It would be a hard-boiled critic today who would dare deny the genuineness o...

JFB: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) The AUTHENTICITY of this Epistle is attested by CLEMENT OF ROME [First Epistle to the Corinthians, 47], POLYCARP [Epistle to the Philippians, 11], and...

JFB: 1 Corinthians (Outline) THE INSCRIPTION; THANKSGIVING FOR THE SPIRITUAL STATE OF THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH; REPROOF OF PARTY DIVISIONS: HIS OWN METHOD OF PREACHING ONLY CHRIST. ...

TSK: 1 Corinthians 14 (Chapter Introduction) Overview 1Co 14:1, Prophecy is commended, 1Co 14:2, and preferred before speaking with tongues, 1Co 14:6, by a comparison drawn from musical instr...

Poole: 1 Corinthians 14 (Chapter Introduction) CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 14

MHCC: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) The Corinthian church contained some Jews, but more Gentiles, and the apostle had to contend with the superstition of the one, and the sinful conduct ...

MHCC: 1 Corinthians 14 (Chapter Introduction) (1Co 14:1-5) Prophecy preferred to the gift of tongues. (1Co 14:6-14) The unprofitableness of speaking in unknown languages. (1Co 14:15-25) Exhortat...

Matthew Henry: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians Corinth was a principal city of Greece, in that partic...

Matthew Henry: 1 Corinthians 14 (Chapter Introduction) 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....

Barclay: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) A GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTERS OF PAUL The Letters Of Paul There is no more interesting body of documents in the New Testament than the letter...

Barclay: 1 Corinthians 14 (Chapter Introduction) The False And The True Worship (1Co_14:1-19) The Effects Of False And True Worship (1Co_14:20-25) Practical Advice (1Co_14:26-33) Forbidden Innova...

Constable: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) Introduction Historical Background Corinth had a long history stretching back into the...

Constable: 1 Corinthians (Outline) Outline I. Introduction 1:1-9 A. Salutation 1:1-3 B. Thanksgiving 1:4-9 ...

Constable: 1 Corinthians 1 Corinthians Bibliography Adams, Jay. Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage in the Bible. Phillipsburg, N.J.: Presb...

Haydock: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL, THE APOSTLE, TO THE CORINTHIANS. INTRODUCTION. Corinth was the capital of Achaia, a very rich and populous city...

Gill: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO 1 CORINTHIANS This was not the first epistle that was written by the apostle to the Corinthians, for we read in this of his having ...

Gill: 1 Corinthians 14 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO 1 CORINTHIANS 14 In this chapter the apostle discourses concerning the use of spiritual gifts, and prefers prophesying, or preachin...

College: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) FOREWORD Since the past few decades have seen an explosion in the number of books, articles, and commentaries on First Corinthians, a brief word to t...

College: 1 Corinthians (Outline) OUTLINE I. INTRODUCTION - 1:1-9 A. Salutation - 1:1-3 B. Thanksgiving - 1:4-9 II. DISUNITY AND COMMUNITY FRAGMENTATION - 1:10-4:21 A. ...

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