therefore describes the convert as declaring^ i. e. proclaiming aloud that God is hi you of a truth. " With the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation," Rom. 10, 10. It is not enough to be- lieve the truth, it must be publicly professed ; because confes- sion is the natural fruit of faith. When there is a proper apprehension of the value of the truth, and a sincere appropri- ation of the promises of God to ourselves, there will be the desire to acknowledge his goodness and to proclaim the truth to others. The thing acknowledged is, that God is in you^ i. e. that Christianity is divine ; that Christians are not deluded fanatics, but the true children of God, in whom he dwells by his Spirit. The convert therefore joins himself to them to share their fate, to take part in whatever of reproach or per- secution falls to their lot. This confession is made with confi- dence. Declaring that God is in you of a truth. It is not a mere conjecture, but a firm conviction, founded on experience, 1. e. on the demonstration of the Spirit, 2, 4.
Special directions as to the mode of conducting their public assemblies^ vs. 26-40.
The apostle concludes this chapter with certain practical directions derived from the principles which he had laid down. He neither denied the reality of the extraordinary gifts with which the Corinthians were so richly endowed, nor forbade their exercise. He only enjoined that mutual edification should be the end aimed at, v. 26. With regard to those having the gift of tongues, he directed that not more than two, or at most three, should speak, and that in succession, while one interpreted. But in case no interpreter was present, there was to be no speaking with tongues, vs. 27. 28. Of the prophets also only two or three were to speak, and the rest wer» to sit in judgment on what was said. In case a new revelation was made to one of the prophets, he was not to in- terrupt the speaker, but wait imtil he had concluded ; or the one was to give way to the other. Both were not to speak at the same time, for God did not approve of confiision. As the influence of which the prophets were the subjects did not de- stroy their self-control, there could be no difficulty in obeying this injunction, vs. 29-33. Women were not to speak in pub- lic ; but to seek instruction at home. This prohibition rests on the divinely established subordination of the women, and