162
for there is an apodosis at the end of ver. 4 ; but h/uev denotes we are , and at the same time inclines to [borders on] a gentle exhor- tation [ let us be , by implication], as Gal. iv. 28, note. Hence in the several parts of this enumeration, the imperative ought to be understood, comp. ver. 14 ; but it is Paul’s characteristic %0os, not to express the imperative often, after it has been once put at the beginning, as in ver. 3. — ^apit/uara, gifts ) these are of different kinds , grace is one. — vpop ire/av, prophecy) This
stands first among the gifts. Acts ii. 17, 18, xi. 27, xiii. 1, xv. 32, xix. 6, xxi. 9, 10 ; 1 Cor, xi. 4, etc., 12, etc. ; Eph. ii. 20, iii. 5, iv. 11; 1 Thess. v. 20 ; 1 Tim. i. 18, iv. 14; Rev. i. 3, etc. When these passages are compared together, it is evident, that prophecy is the gift, by which the heavenly mysteries, some- times also future events, are brought under the notice of men, especially believers, with an explanation of Scripture prophecies, which could not be elicited by the ordinary rules of interpreta- tion. But the other gifts, which we find in the first epistle to the Corinthians, are not added in this epistle, which is other- wise so copious. See ch. i. 11 ; 1 Cor. ix. 2, notes. — xara, accord- ing to) Repeat, we having , viz., the gift , prophecy , and so in suc- cession. So just before, according to the grace , [as here, u ac- cording to the proportion of faith]. As it is given to a man, so ought a man to be of service to others. — rqv am Xoy/av rqg nisriug, the proportion [analogy of faithf) i.e., as God distributes (to every prophet) the measure of faith , ver. 3 : for there already Paul slightly touched upon this point, and he now returns to it, after some other topics had been introduced in the intervening verses. Prophecy and faith are closely connected, 1 Cor. xii. 9,
10, xiii. 2. Peter treating of the same subject, first epistle iv.
11, says, 'ng Xoyia 0gcD, as the oracles of God. It is much the same as if Paul were to say, whether it be prophecy , [let it be restricted within the limits of or] in prophecy ; with which compare what follows : let it not be carried outside of and be- yond the bounds of faith ; nor let any one prophesy from the promptings of his own heart, beyond what he has seen ; and again, on the other hand, let him not conceal or bury the truth ; let him only speak so far as he has seen, and knows, and believes,1
1 The construction is, whether it be prophecy , we are [ i.e . we ought to be as Christians] persons who have it according to the proportion of faith. — Ed.