Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Corinthians 14:1

1 FOllow after charity , and desire spiritual gif[illegible: 1 letter]s, but rather that ye may prophesie .

That Love to God and your Brethren, concerning which I have been speaking so much, as preferable to all common gifts, follow that with your utmost diligence▪ as the Persecutors follow you; for it is the same word that is ordinarily used to signifie the violent prosecution of Persecutors, though it be applied also to things which we ought eagerly to follow, Rom. 9.31. and 14.19.

But rather, or principally, that you may be able to reveal the Mind and Will of God unto others. Some think by foretelling things to come; but that is not very probable, such an ability of prophesying being given but to few under the New Testament: it is therefore more probable, that he speaketh of an ability to open the Scriptures, either by immediate Revelation (as to which they could use no means but Prayer and an holy Life) or by ordinary Meditation, and study of Scriptures. For though the former Species of Prophesying, by prediction of future things, when the truth of it was justified by such Prophecies accomplishment, was of great use to confirm the Doctrine of the Gospel; yet the latter was of greater and more general use for the good of others, which makes the Apostle put them upon the coveting, and earnest desire of that faculty or ability, because, of all others, it made them most eminently and generally useful to others, as well those within the Church, as those without; and thus the Apostle expoundeth himself, v. 3.

Marginal references: Chap. 12.[illegible: 2 letters]; Num. 11.[illegible: 2 letters] 29.