their own judgment and experience. If Paul came to them speaking in a way which they could not understand, what good could it do them ? But if, as a prophet, he brought them a revelation from God, or as a teacher, set before them a doctrine, they would be edified, v. 6. 2. From the analogy of musical instruments. It is only when the sounds are un- derstood, that they produce the desired efiect. If a man does not know that a given note of the trumpet is a signal for bat- tle, he will not prepare himself for the conflict, vs. 7-9. 3. From their experience in intercourse with strangers. If a man comes to me speaking a language which I cannot un- derstand, no matter how polished or significant that language may be, he is a barbarian to me, and I to him, vs. 10. 11. In their zeal, therefore, for spiritual gifts, they should have re- gard to the edification of the church, v. 12. Hence, he who had the gift of tongues should pray for the gift of interpreta- tion ; as without the latter gift, however devotional he might be, his prayers could not profit others, vs. 13. 14. It was not enough that the prayers and praises should be spiritual, they must be intelligible ; otherwise those who were unlearned could not join in them, vs. 15-17. For himself, the apostle says, al- though more richly endowed with the gift of tongues than any of his readers, he would rather speak five words so as to be understood, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue, vs. 18. 19. It was mere childishness in the Corinthians to be so delighted with a gift which they could not turn to any practical account, v. 20. They should learn wisdom from the experience of the Hebrews. It was as a judgment that God sent among them teachers whom they could not understand. So long as they were obedient, or there was hope of bringing them to repentance, he sent them prophets speaking their own language, vs. 21. 22. Their experience would not be dissimi- lar. If they came together, each speaking in an unknown tongue, the effect would be only evil. But if, when they as- sembled, all the speakers spoke so as to be understood, and under the influence of the Spirit, then men would be con- vinced and converted, and God glorified, vs. 23-25.
In the 9omment on 12, 10, reasons have already been pre- sented for adhering to the common view, that the gift of tongues, of which the apostle here speaks, was the gift miracu- lously conferred, of speaking in foreign languages. Every one must feel, however, the truth of the remark of Chrysos- tom in his commentary on this chapter: "This whole pas-