Exegetical Study on Corinthians
Exegetical study on:
1 Corinthians 14:1-6
Principles of Biblical Interpretation
Dr. Dale Hutchcraft
10/23/09
Alex Sullins
The passage that I chose to exegete is 1 Corinthians 14:1-6, the main idea of this passage is for the apostle Paul to confront the Corinthian church in Corinth about their misuse of the spiritual gifts, namely the use of tongues. The following is a full outline of the passage with the main point of each verse, it goes as follows:
1 Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
Paul starts out this verse strongly with the word “pursue” and “earnestly” showing the importance he is putting on pursuing the spiritual gifts. He stresses the importance though of the gift of prophecy, showing right away what he is passionate about and what to pursue (Mare).
2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.
Here in verse 2 Paul addresses the gift of tongues and explains the use of it and how it is directed to God and not to men. He uses the word “mysteries” to describe that the speaker knows not what he is saying.
3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.
Paul is explaining in this verse that prophecy is a “greater” gift because is edifies (builds up) the church. This is seen by his use of “but”, inferring that he prefers prophesy over the gift of tongues, introducing the topic for the rest of the passage.
4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.
He continues to explain that the gift of tongues is a personal use of the gifts, and continues to explain that prophecy is the “greater” of the gifts because it builds up the church.
5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may
1 Corinthians 14:1-6
Principles of Biblical Interpretation
Dr. Dale Hutchcraft
10/23/09
Alex Sullins
The passage that I chose to exegete is 1 Corinthians 14:1-6, the main idea of this passage is for the apostle Paul to confront the Corinthian church in Corinth about their misuse of the spiritual gifts, namely the use of tongues. The following is a full outline of the passage with the main point of each verse, it goes as follows:
1 Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
Paul starts out this verse strongly with the word “pursue” and “earnestly” showing the importance he is putting on pursuing the spiritual gifts. He stresses the importance though of the gift of prophecy, showing right away what he is passionate about and what to pursue (Mare).
2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.
Here in verse 2 Paul addresses the gift of tongues and explains the use of it and how it is directed to God and not to men. He uses the word “mysteries” to describe that the speaker knows not what he is saying.
3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.
Paul is explaining in this verse that prophecy is a “greater” gift because is edifies (builds up) the church. This is seen by his use of “but”, inferring that he prefers prophesy over the gift of tongues, introducing the topic for the rest of the passage.
4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.
He continues to explain that the gift of tongues is a personal use of the gifts, and continues to explain that prophecy is the “greater” of the gifts because it builds up the church.
5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may
Bibliography: 1) Gerard , Kittel. TDNT. 3. Grand Rapids: WM. B. Eerdmans puplishing, Print. 2) Gerard , Friedrich. TDNT. 6. Grand Rapids: WM. B. Eerdmans puplishing, Print. 3) Blomberg, Craig. NIV Application Commentary. 1 Corinthians. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994. Print. 4) Mare, Harold W. Expositor 's Bible Commentary. 10. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1976. Print. 5) Exell, Joseph. The Pulpit Commentary. 19. Grand Rapids: WM. B. Eerdmans puplishing, Print. 6) Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Print. 7) Barker, Kenneth. NASB Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Print. 8) StudyLight.org. Study Light, Web. 23 Oct 2009. <http://studylight.org>.