1 Corinthians 14:4-19
The church ( εκκλησιαν ). No article, literally, "a church" (local use). Not η εκκλησια.Except he interpret ( εκτος ε μη διερμηνευη ). Pleonastic combination of εκτος (preposition except) and ε μη (if not, unless) as in 15:2; 1Ti 5:19. For use of ε with subjunctive rather than εαν see Php 3:12 (common enough in the Koine, Robertson, Grammar, pp. 1017f., condition of third class). On the verb see on 12:30; Lu 24:27; Ac 9:36.
Receive ( λαβη ). Second aorist (ingressive) active subjunctive of λαμβανω, may get edification.
If I come ( εαν ελθω ). Third class condition, supposable case (aorist subjunctive).
What shall I profit you ( τ υμας ωφελησω ). Two accusatives with this verb (see 13:3).
Unless I speak ( εαν μη λαλησω ). Second condition (also third class) with the one conclusion (cf. 1Ti 2:5).
Things without life ( αψυχα ). Without a soul ( α privative, ψυχη ) or life. Old word only here in N.T.
Pipe ( αυλος ). Old word (from αω, αυω, to blow), only here in N.T.
Harp ( κιθαρα ). Old word. Stringed instrument as pipe, a wind instrument.
If they give not a distinction in the sounds ( εαν διαστολην τοις φθογγοις μη δω ). Third class condition with second aorist active subjunctive δω from διδωμ. Common word in late Greek for difference ( διαστελλω, to send apart). In N.T. only here and Ro 3:22; 10:12. Φθογγος old word (from φθεγγομα ) for musical sounds vocal or instrumental. In N.T. only here and Ro 10:18.
An uncertain voice ( αδηλον φωνην ). Old adjective ( α privative, δηλος, manifest). In N.T. only here and Lu 11:44. Military trumpet ( σαλπιγξ ) is louder than pipe or harp.
Shall prepare himself ( παρασκευασετα ). Direct middle future indicative of παρασκευαζω, old verb, in N.T. only here, 2Co 9:2ff.; Ac 10:10. From παρα, σκευη (preparation).
Unless ye utter speech easy to be understood ( εαν μη ευσημον λογον δωτε ). Condition of third class again ( εαν and aorist subjunctive). Ευσημον ( ευ, well, σημα, sign) is old word, here only in N.T., well-marked, distinct, clear. Good enunciation, a hint for speakers.
Ye will be speaking into the air ( εσεσθε εις αερα λαλουντες ). Periphrastic future indicative (linear action). Cf. αερα δερων (beating the air) in 9:26. Cf. our talking to the wind. This was before the days of radio.
It may be ( ε τυχο ). Condition of fourth class ( ε and aorist optative of τυγχανω ), if it should happen. Common enough idiom. Cf. τυχον in 16:6.
Without signification ( αφωνον ). Old adjective ( α privative and φωνη ). Without the faculty of speech (12:2; Ac 8:32; 2Pe 2:16).
The meaning of the voice ( την δυναμιν της φωνης ). The power (force) of the voice.
A barbarian ( βαρβαρος ). Jargon, βαρ-βαρ. The Egyptians called all βαρβαρους who did not speak their tongue. The Greeks followed suit for all ignorant of Greek language and culture. They divided mankind into Hellenes and Barbarians.
Unto me ( εν εμο ). In my case, almost like a dative.
Zealous of spiritual gifts ( ζηλωτα πνευματων ). Zealots for spirits. So it looked.
That ye may abound ( ινα περισσευητε ). Purpose clause with the object by prolepsis stated beforehand "for the edification of the church."
Let him pray that he may interpret ( προσευχεσθω ινα διερμηνευη ). Else he had better cease talking in a tongue.
But my understanding is unfruitful ( ο δε νους μου ακαρπος ). My intellect ( νους ) gets no benefit ( ακαρπος, without fruit) from rhapsodical praying that may even move my spirit ( πνευμα ).
With the understanding also ( κα τω νο ). Instrumental case of νους. Paul is distinctly in favour of the use of the intellect in prayer. Prayer is an intelligent exercise of the mind.
And I will sing with the understanding also ( ψαλω δε κα τω νο ). There was ecstatic singing like the rhapsody of some prayers without intelligent words. But Paul prefers singing that reaches the intellect as well as stirs the emotions. Solos that people do not understand lose more than half their value in church worship. Ψαλλω originally meant to play on strings, then to sing with an accompaniment (Eph 5:19), and here apparently to sing without regard to an instrument.
Else if thou bless with the spirit ( επε εαν ευλογηις εν πνευματ ). Third class condition. He means that, if one is praying and praising God (10:16) in an ecstatic prayer, the one who does not understand the ecstasy will be at a loss when to say "amen" at the close of the prayer. In the synagogues the Jews used responsive amens at the close of prayers (Neh 5:13; 8:6; 1Ch 16:36; Ps 106:48).
He that filleth the place of the unlearned ( ο αναπληρων τον τοπον του ιδιωτου ). Not a special part of the room, but the position of the ιδιωτου (from ιδιος, one's own), common from Herodotus for private person (Ac 4:13), unskilled (2Co 11:6), uninitiated (unlearned) in the gift of tongues as here and verses 23f.
At thy giving of thanks ( επ τη ση ευχαριστια ). Just the prayer, not the Eucharist or the Lord's Supper, as is plain from verse 17.
More than you all ( παντων υμων μαλλον ). Ablative case after μαλλον. Astonishing claim by Paul that doubtless had a fine effect.
Howbeit in church ( αλλα εν εκκλησια ). Private ecstasy is one thing (cf. 2Co 12:1-9) but not in church worship.
That I may instruct ( ινα κατηχησω ). Final clause with ινα. For the rare verb κατηχεω see on Lu 1:4; Ac 18:25.
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