1 Corinthians 14:29

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Corinthians 14:29 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And let the prophets speak [by] two or three, and let the others discern.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And let the prophets speak [by] two or three, and let the others discern.
1 Corinthians 14:29 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Corinthians 14

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
29And let the prophets speak [by] two or three, and let the others discern.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Let the prophets speak, two or three, etc.] The apostle having finished the rules for streaking with an unknown tongue, proceeds to lay down some for the gift of prophesying; and observes, that where there are a number of prophets, as very likely there were in the church at Corinth, two or three of them might prophesy, or explain the prophecies of the Old Testament, or preach the Gospel at one opportunity or meeting: he does not use that restrictive clause, “at most”, as before, because if there was any necessity or occasion for it, more might be employed, so that care was taken not to burden the people, and send them away loathing; and this they were to do, as before, in course, one after…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“two or three--at one meeting (he does not add "at the most," as in Co1 14:27, lest he should seem to "quench prophesyings," the most edifying of gifts), and these "one by one," in turn (Co1 14:27, "by course," and Co1 14:31). Paul gives here similar rules to the prophets, as previously to those speaking in unknown tongues. judge--by their power of "discerning spirits" (Co1 12:10), whether the person prophesying was really speaking under the influence of the Spirit (compare Co1 12:3; Jo1 4:13).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Let the prophets - See the note at 1 Corinthians 14:1. Speak two or three - On the same days, or at the same meeting; see the note at 1 Corinthians 14:27. And let the other judge - The word “other” (οἱ ἄλλοι hoi alloi, “the others”), Bloomfield supposes refers to the other prophets; and that the meaning is, that they should decide whether what was said was dictated by the Holy Spirit, or not. But the more probable sense, I think, is that which refers it to the rest of the congregation, and which supposes that they were to compare one doctrine with another, and deliberate on what was spoken, and determine whether it had evidence of being in accordance with the truth. It may be that the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Let two or three of the prophets - Not more, at one meeting. Speak - One after another, expounding the scripture. 1 Corinthians 14:31”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“14:29-32 Public prophesying is to be expressed in an orderly way, sensitive to the guidance of the Spirit, so that everyone may benefit from it. The others are then to evaluate what is said to assess whether it is indeed a word from God (1 Thes 5:19-21). Those with a word of prophecy are to take turns—prophecy is a divinely given word, but it is still subject to the control of the speaker.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the prophets: Co1 14:39, Co1 12:10; Th1 5:19-21; Jo1 4:1-3 the other: Rather, the others, οι αλλοι. 1 Corinthians 14:30”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification