The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 462

Ver. 3.-The purposes of prophesying. There was a marked difference of judgment between St. Paul and his Corinthian converts with regard to the relative value of speak- ing with tongues and of propbesying. The Corinthians were disposed to set too high a value upon the more brilliant and startling gift; its novelty and singularity seem to have so impressed them with admiration that, in comparison with it, gifts which appealed to sober reason sank into insignificance. Paul, however, who himself spake with tongues, maintains the superiority of the rational and moral endowment over that which surprised the sense and dazzled the imagination. He does this most successfully by exhibiting in this verse the purposes of prophesying. I. EDIFICATION. A prophet is one who speaks from God and for God, to his fellow-men. The prophets of the old covenant came before their fellow-countrymen with messages which they prefaced by the declaration, "'l'hus saith the Lord." In the new dispensation, there seems to have been at first an order of prophets, but in addition to these there were many who upon occasion utt-ered forth the mind of God. Now, since human nature is dependent upon truth, upon spiritual motive, upon pErsonal influence, for the realization of the designs of the Creator, it is clear that a true prophet is one who apprehends those designs, and seeks their accomplishment by means ordered by Divine wisdom. Character and moral life require building up, i.e. upon a divinely laid foundation, by the use of divinely provided material, so that the edifice may a~sume form, proportions, beauty, in consonance with the idea of the great Architect. Hence the importance given in the New 'l'cstament to that element in prophecy denominated editication. No individual can become full grown, no society can be at once progressive and secure, where this department of ministry is lacking. II. ExuouTATIO~. It must never be forgotten that the communication of knowlege is not the whole of ministry; that religion is not altogether a. matter of the intellect; that human life is not simply one long lesson. Man is so framed that he is bound to action, and that he needs inducements, directions, encouragement, with e. view to su,1h action as shall be acceptable to his Maker and Saviour. Especially do the young, and converts whose principles are not fully formed, whose habits are not yet established, need frequent admonition. St. Paul reminds us that this also is part of the prophetic office and ministry. Ill. CoNB0LATION. If the necessity of exhortation follows upon the characteristics of human nature, the necessity of consolation arises from the circumstances of human life. Stronger than human philosophy,and tenderer, the consolations of Christian prophc>ey are able to bind up all wounds, and to cheer all se.d and downcast hearts.-T. <JH, XIV. 1-40.J 'l'HE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE •CORrn'THIANS. 4il