1 Korinther 14:5

Lutherbibel

Ich wollte, daß ihr alle mit Zungen reden könntet; aber viel mehr, daß ihr weissagt. Denn der da weissagt, ist größer, als der mit Zungen redet; es sei denn, daß er's auch auslege, daß die Gemeinde davon gebessert werde.

Parallel Translations

Schlachter Bibel (1951)
Ich wünschte, daß ihr alle in Zungen redetet, noch viel mehr aber, daß ihr weissagen könntet. Denn wer weissagt, ist größer, als wer in Zungen redet; es sei denn, daß er es auslege, damit die Gemeinde Erbauung empfange.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

would: 1 Corinthians 12:28-30, 1 Corinthians 13:4, Numbers 11:28, Numbers 11:29

for: 1 Corinthians 14:1, 1 Corinthians 14:3

except: 1 Corinthians 14:12, 1 Corinthians 14:13, 1 Corinthians 14:26-28, 1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 12:30

Reciprocal: Genesis 30:34 - General Mark 16:17 - they Acts 2:4 - began Acts 9:31 - were edified 1 Corinthians 1:5 - in all 1 Corinthians 4:19 - I 1 Corinthians 12:7 - General 1 Corinthians 14:39 - covet Ephesians 4:12 - the edifying 1 Thessalonians 5:11 - and edify

Gill's Notes on the Bible

I would that ye all spake with tongues,.... This the apostle says, to prevent being misunderstood; for his view was not to bring the gift of tongues into contempt, or to represent it as at all times, and on all occasions, useless and insignificant; nor would he be thought to envy them this gift, or beat them off of desiring it; for, for his own part, he could wish they all had it, was it the will of God; though he must needs say, that prophesying was most desirable by him, as being most profitable;

but rather that ye prophesied; he wished them all prophets, as Moses did all the Lord's people; he was not against their speaking with tongues, but this was the most eligible, for which he gives this reason:

for greater is he that prophesieth, than he that speaketh with tongues; that is, he is more useful and profitable to men, and so consequently more honourable, in higher esteem, and more valued, and in greater dignity, being in a more serviceable post and office, and which is more beneficial and advantageous to mankind:

except he interpret; what he said; and then he might stand upon an equal foot, and be equally useful with him that prophesieth; but this everyone could not do that spake with tongues; for speaking with tongues, and the interpretation of tongues, were two distinct gifts; see 1 Corinthians 12:10 and though a man that had the gift of tongues might understand what he himself said to his own edification, yet not be able to interpret it to the understanding and edification of others; and if he could not do this, his speaking was to no purpose: hence the apostle advises such an one to pray that he might interpret, have the gift of interpretation also, in

1 Corinthians 14:13.

That the church may receive edifying: which otherwise cannot be thought it should, or be expected, and then an opportunity and ordinance would be wholly lost.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

I would that ye all spake with tongues - “It is an important endowment, and is not, in its place, to be undervalued. It maybe of great service in the cause of truth, and if properly regulated, and not abused, I would rejoice if these extraordinary endowments were conferred on all. I have no envy against anyone who possesses it; no opposition to the endowment; but I wish that it should not be overvalued; and would wish to exalt into proper estimation the more useful but humble gift of speaking for the edification of the church.”

Greater is he that prophesieth - This gift is of more value, and he really occupies a more elevated rank in the church. He is more “useful.” The idea here is, that talents are not to he estimated by their “brilliancy,” but by their “usefulness.” The power of speaking in an unknown tongue was certainly a more striking endowment than that of speaking so as simply to be “useful,” and yet the apostle tells us that the latter is the more valuable. So it is always. A man who is useful, however humble and unknown he may be, really occupies a more elevated and venerable rank than the man of most splendid talents and dazzling eloquence, who accomplishes nothing in saving the souls of people.

Except he interpret - However important and valuable the truth might he which he uttered, it would be useless to the church, unless he should explain it in language which they could understand. In that case, the apostle does not deny that the power of speaking foreign languages was a higher endowment and more valuable than the gift of prophecy. That the man who spoke foreign languages had the power of interpreting, is evident from this verse. From 1 Corinthians 14:27, it appears that the office of interpreting was sometimes performed by others.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Corinthians 14:5. I would that ye all spake with tongues — The word θελω does not so much imply a wish or desire, as a command or permission. As if he had said: I do not restrain you to prophesying or teaching though I prefer that; but I give you full permission to speak in Hebrew whenever it is proper, and when one is present who can interpret for the edification of the Church, provided yourselves have not that gift, though you understand the language. The apostle said tongue, in the singular number, 1 Corinthians 14:2; 1 Corinthians 14:4, because he spoke of a single man; now he says tongues, in the plural number, because he speaks of many speaking; but he has the same meaning in both places.-Lightfoot.

Greater is he that prophesieth — A useful, zealous preacher, though unskilled in learned languages, is much greater in the sight of God, and in the eye of sound common sense, than he who has the gift of those learned tongues; except he interpret: and we seldom find great scholars good preachers. This should humble the scholar, who is too apt to be proud of his attainments, and despise his less learned but more useful brother. This judgment of St. Paul is too little regarded.