Follow {1} after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may {a} prophesy.

(1) He infers now of what he spoke before: therefore seeing charity is the chiefest of all, before all things set it before you as chief and principal. And so esteem those things as most excellent which profit the greater part of men (such as prophecy, that is to say, the gift of teaching and applying the doctrine: which was condemned in respect of other gifts, although it is the chiefest and most necessary for the Church) and not those who for a show seem to be marvellous, as the gifts of tongues. This was when a man was suddenly endowed with the knowledge of many tongues, which made men greatly amazed and yet of itself was not greatly of any use, unless there was an interpreter.

(a) What prophecy is he shows in the third verse.

People's New Testament

14:1 Order in Public Worship

SUMMARY OF I CORINTHIANS 14:

Of the Spiritual Gifts Prophecy Gives the First Place. Speaking with Tongues Secondary. Both Must Be Used So As to Edify. In the Church Assemblies What Is Spoken in a Tongue Must Be. Interpreted. One Only Must Speak at Once. The Women Must Keep Silent.

Follow after charity and desire spiritual gifts. Though love is to be a supreme pursuit, yet this is not intended to disparage spiritual gifts.

But rather that ye may prophesy. Let spiritual gifts be sought, but in seeking, desire above all the gift of prophecy.

Wesley's Notes

14:1 Follow after love - With zeal, vigour, courage, patience; else you can neither attain nor keep it. And - In their place, as subservient to this. Desire spiritual gifts; but especially that ye may prophesy - The word here does not mean foretelling things to come; but rather opening and applying the scripture.

Scofield Reference Notes

[1] rather

The subject is still the pneumatika. Chapter 12, described the gifts and the Body; Chapter 13. the love which alone gives ministry of gift any value; Chapter 14. regulates the ministry of gift in the primitive, apostolic assembly of saints.

(1) The important gift is that of prophecy (1Cor 1:1)). The N.T. prophet was not merely a preacher, but an inspired preacher, through whom, until the N.T. was written, new revelations suited to the new dispensation were given 1Cor 14:29,30.

(2) Tongues and the sign gifts are to cease, and meantime must be used with restraint, and only if an interpreter be present 1Cor 14:1-19,27,28.

(3) In the primitive church there was liberty for the ministry of all the gifts which might be present, but for prophecy more especially 1Cor 14:23-26,31,39.

(4) In such meetings, when "the whole church" came together "in one place," women were required to keep silence 1Cor 14:34,35 11:3-16 1Tim 2:11-14.

(5) These injunctions are declared to be "the commandments of the Lord" 1Cor 14:36,37.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 14

1Co 14:1-25. Superiority of Prophecy over Tongues.

1. Follow after charity-as your first and chief aim, seeing that it is "the greatest" (1Co 13:13).

and desire-Translate, "Yet (as a secondary aim) desire zealously (see on [2292]1Co 12:31) spiritual gifts."

but rather-"but chiefly that ye may prophesy" (speak and exhort under inspiration) (Pr 29:18; Ac 13:1; 1Th 5:20), whether as to future events, that is, strict prophecy, or explaining obscure parts of Scripture, especially the prophetical Scriptures or illustrating and setting forth questions of Christian doctrine and practice. Our modern preaching is the successor of prophecy, but without the inspiration. Desire zealously this (prophecy) more than any other spiritual gift; or in preference to "tongues" (1Co 14:2, &c.) [Bengel].

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

14:1-5 Prophesying, that is, explaining Scripture, is compared with speaking with tongues. This drew attention, more than the plain interpretation of Scripture; it gratified pride more, but promoted the purposes of Christian charity less; it would not equally do good to the souls of men. What cannot be understood, never can edify. No advantage can be reaped from the most excellent discourses, if delivered in language such as the hearers cannot speak or understand. Every ability or possession is valuable in proportion to its usefulness. Even fervent, spiritual affection must be governed by the exercise of the understanding, else men will disgrace the truths they profess to promote.