If any man speak, &c.— St. Paul has said in this chapter as much as conveniently could be said, to restrain their speaking in an unknown tongue in their assemblies; which seems to be that particular wherein the vanity and ostentation of the Corinthians was most forward to shew themselves. "It is not," says he, "a gift intended for the edification of believers; however, since you will be exercising it in your meetings, let it always be so ordered that it may be for edification." The original word ειτε should be rendered although, since it is no where used simply for if, as in our translation: nor will the sense here bear whether, which is the common signification of the word ειτε. Therefore, says Mr. Locke, I take the Apostle's meaning to be, "You must do nothing but to edification, 1 Corinthians 14:26; and although you speak in an unknown tongue, even an unknown tongue must be made use of in your assemblies only to edification." The rule of the synagogue was, "In the law, let one read, and one interpret; in the prophets, let one read, and two interpret."—In Esther, "ten may read, and ten interpret."—Some learned critics would connect this and the 26th verse together, thus: Hath every one a psalm? Hath he a doctrine? &c.—Let all be done to edifying; or if any one speak in an unknown tongue, let it be, &c. See Luke 11:11.
Related Commentaries of 1 Corinthians 14:27
1 Corinthians 14:27
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two,d or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.