If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Ver. 11. If any man speak] i.e. Preach. Every sound is not music, so neither is every pulpit discourse preaching.
As the oracles of God] Those lively and life giving oracles, the Holy Scriptures. These he must expound with all gravity and sincerity, not seeking himself, nor setting forth his own wit and eloquence, so putting the sword of the Spirit into a velvet scabbard, that it cannot prick and pierce the heart. Loquamur verba Scripturae (saith Ramus) utamur sermone Spiritus sancti; denique divinam sapientiam et linguam nostra infantia et sophistica ne corrigamus: i.e. Let us speak the very words of the Scripture, let us use the speech of the Holy Spirit; and not think to correct the divine wisdom and eloquence with our babbling and sophistry. It is not for us to witwanton it with God; his holy things must be handled sancte magis quam scite (as he once told the wanton vestal), that is, with fear and reverence rather than with wit and dalliance.
Which God giveth] Χορηγει, liberally and magnificiently.