1 Corinthians 14:39

Contextual Overview

³⁶ God's teaching did not come from you, and you are not the only ones who have received it. ³⁶ What! Did the word of God originate with you, or are you the only ones it has reached? ³⁶ Sproge ye worde of god fro you? Ether came it vnto you only? ³⁶ What? Was it from you that the word of God went forth? Or did it come to you alone? ³⁶ Did God's word originate with you? Are you the only people it has reached? ³⁶ Or was it from you that the word of God first went out? Or has it come to you only? ³⁶ Did God's teaching come from you? Or are you the only ones to whom it has come? ³⁶ What? was it from you that the word of God went forth? or did it come to you alone? ³⁶ What? came the word of God out from you? or came it to you only? ³⁶ Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached?

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

covet: 1 Corinthians 14:1, 1 Corinthians 14:3, 1 Corinthians 14:5, 1 Corinthians 14:24, 1 Corinthians 14:25, 1 Corinthians 12:31, 1 Thessalonians 5:20

Reciprocal: 1 Corinthians 12:10 - prophecy 1 Corinthians 13:8 - tongues 1 Corinthians 14:29 - the prophets

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy,.... The apostle now draws to a conclusion, and reassumes the exhortation he gave in the beginning of the chapter, pressing the members of this church to desire the gift of prophecy, that being the most eligible and preferable to others, particularly to speaking with tongues, since it was the most useful and edifying, as he abundantly proves:

and forbid not to speak with tongues; such as have that gift, and are desirous of exercising it, provided they observe the rules prescribed, and have an interpreter; this he adds to promote love, and prevent dissension and discord.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Covet to prophesy - See the note at 1 Corinthians 14:1. This is the “summing up” of all that he had said. It was “desirable” that a man should wish to be able to speak, under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, in such a manner as to edify the church.

And forbid not ... - Do not suppose that the power of speaking foreign languages is useless, or is to be despised, or that it is to be prohibited. “In its own place” it is a valuable endowment; and on proper occasions the talent should be exercised; see in 1 Corinthians 14:22.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 39. Covet to prophesy — Let it be your endeavour and prayer to be able to teach the way of God to the ignorant; this is the most valuable, because the most useful gift of the Spirit.

And forbid not to speak with tongues. — Let every gift have its own place and operation; let none envy another; nor prevent him from doing that part of the work to which God, by giving the qualification, has evidently called him.