1 Corinthians 14:30

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Corinthians 14:30 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But if a revelation be made to another sitting by, let the first keep silence.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But if a revelation be made to another sitting by, let the first keep silence.
1 Corinthians 14:30 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Corinthians 14

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
30But if a revelation be made to another sitting by, let the first keep silence.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“If anything be revealed to another that sitteth by, etc.] To another prophet that sits, and hears, and tries, and judges what he hears; if he has a clearer revelation made to him of what the other is speaking of, and has a more distinct knowledge of it, and is capable of removing any difficulty that attends it, and of expressing it more plainly, and of proving it more largely, and of setting it in an easier light to the understandings of men: let the first hold his peace; be that was speaking, upon such an intimation being made to him, let him stop, and give way to him that has the revelation, that the church may receive the benefit of it: hence it may be observed, that the custom of the…”
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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
“If any thing--Translate, "But if any thing." another that sitteth by--a hearer. let the first hold his peace--Let him who heretofore spoke, and who came to the assembly furnished with a previous ordinary (in those times) revelation from God (Co1 14:26), give place to him who at the assembly is moved to prophesy by a sudden revelation from the Spirit.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“If anything be revealed to another - If, while one is speaking, an important truth is revealed to another, or is suggested to his mind by the Holy Spirit, which he feels it to be important to communicate. Let the first hold his peace - That is, let him that was speaking conclude his discourse, and let there not be the confusion arising from two persons speaking. at the same time. Doddridge understands this as meaning, that he to whom the revelation was made should sit still, until the other was done speaking, and not rise and rudely interrupt him. But this is to do violence to the language. So Macknight understands it, that the one who was speaking was first to finish his discourse, and be…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“revealed: Co1 14:6, Co1 14:26 let: Job 32:11, Job 32:15-20, Job 33:31-33; Th1 5:19, Th1 5:20 1 Corinthians 14:31”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification