prayer can do no good ; or, as the same idea is expressed in vs. 16, 17, those who are unlearned cannot join in it. Praying with a tongue is specified, by way of example, as one mode of speaking with tongues. Though the general meaning of this verse is thus plain, it is the most difficult verse in the whole chapter. What does Paul mean by saying. His spirit prays ? There are three answers given to this question. 1. That spirit (my spirit) here means the higher intellectual powers of the soul, as distinguished from the understanding. This verse and those which immediately follow, are the principal founda- tion of the theory that the speaker with tongues was in a state of ecstatic excitement in which his understanding was not exercised, so that he knew not what he said or did. How in- consistent this theory is with the facts of the case has already been shown. This view of the passage, therefore, cannot be admitted. Besides, it has already been remarked, that the Scriptures know nothing of this distinction between the reason and the understanding. 2. Others say that spirit here means the affections. ' My feelings find utterance in prayer, but my understanding is unfruitful.' This would give a good sense ; but this meaning of the word spirit is of rare occurrence. In most of the passages quoted by lexicographers as examples of this use of the term, it really means the Holy Spirit. And in this whole discussion, spirit is not once used for the feelings. 3. My spirit may mean the Holy Spirit in me ; that is, my spiritual gift ; or, my spirit as the organ of the Spirit of God. Each man has his own spirit, (comp. v. 12) i. e. his own spirit- ual gift. And Paul means to say, that when a man prays in an unknown tongue, his spiritual gift is indeed exercised ; in other words, the Holy Spirit is active in him, but others are not profited. The speaker with tongues is not to be set down as an enthusiast, or as a man in a frenzy, or, as the mockers said, as a man full of new wine. He is really the organ of the Holy Ghost. But as the influence of the Spirit under which he acts, is not irresistible, he should not exercise his gift where it can do no good to others. He may pray in sUence, v. 28. This interpretation seems much more in accordance with the use of the word and with the whole drift of the chapter.
What is meant by saying, my understanding is unfruit- ful? It may mean, My understanding is not profited, gains no fruit ; that is, I do not understand what I say. Though the words in themselves may have this meaning, this interpre- tation contradicts all those passages which teach that the