(16) Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? (17) For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. (18) I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: (19) Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. (20) Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. (21) In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. (22) Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
I have noticed in my Poor Man's Concordance, somewhat in relation to the Amen, we so frequently meet with in Scripture. So that I do not think it necessary in this place, to enlarge on it to the full. Nevertheless, in addition to what was there offered, I would remark, that over and above the very sweet and blessed sense it bears, in allusion to the Lord Jesus Christ, and as one of his express names; it hath other objects of significance, which merit our attention.
No doubt, in every sense of the word, its highest and best meaning refers to Christ; yea, means Christ himself: the Amen, the Faithful and true witness. And at every use of it, all the Church a God should pause with profound reverence, in the recollection of the Lord Jesus Christ. I would consider it as Jehovah's verily; his unalterable Word, purpose, will, pleasure, delight, in Christ.
But, from what the Apostle here saith, of the unlearned saying Amen, at our giving of thanks, it should seem, that the use of it in the Church, was intended to express somewhat of no small importance. An ignorance of what had been said, or a misapprehension, or the want of an hearty and cordial consent to it, with perhaps other things of a like nature, made it exceptionable; and it then, became improper. Paul seems to lay the stress upon the ill use of it, that in that case, the person using it is not edified. The Amen, was an ancient custom in the old Church. And, no doubt, the use of it was with an eye to Christ, 1 Chronicles 16:36; Nehemiah 8:6. We are told by some old writers, that the Jews had several ways of using the word; and according to that use, it had different significations. An hearty, long, and full Amen, was meant to intimate, everything of blessedness. On the contrary, a cold, short, and hasty expression of the word carried with it an idea, that the person was not sincere in what he said. Reader! while you and I bless ourselves, in our glorious Amen, Christ Jesus, the God of truth, we shall have all the true blessedness of the word; and at all times be able, to set to our Amen that God is true, Isaiah 65:16
I cannot pass wholly over without notice, what Paul saith, of the brethren being not children in understanding. It is a melancholy consideration, how many of God's dear children continue weak, in point of understanding, and remain but as babes in Christ the greater part of their life. I cannot call that man, any other than a child, a mere babe in grace, who never gets beyond the doubts and fears, the ups and downs, of unbelief. A maturity, and ripeness in grace, is known, by an establishment, and firmness, in the faith and hope of God's children. The beloved Apostle speaks of young men that were strong, and to whom he had written on that account; and the word of God abode in them, and they had overcome the wicked one, 1 John 2:14. And herein lies the strength of such in the Lord. They are strong in the faith, that God is more honored, more glorified, by the obedience and death of Christ, as the sinner's Surety, and Representative; than God is dishonored, by the sinner's sins, and transgressions, and all his unworthiness. And hence, when established by grace, firm and unshaken in this most blessed principle: the man is no longer a child in understanding; but well taught, and well established of God. But, Reader! this is God's work; not man's. So the Lord saith: and so the Lord's people know. See 2 Corinthians 1:20-22.