Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Corinthians 14:26

26 How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation : Let all things be done to edifying .

By what followeth in the two next verses, one would think that some of them, in their Church-meetings, were so absurd, as being endued with several gifts, they would be using them all together; one singing, another preaching, a third speaking with Tongues, &c. But this is so apparent a confusion, that one must be very uncharitable to this famous Church, to presume that they should be so absurd. Others therefore rather think, that those endued with several gifts, (of which he reckoneth five) under which he comprehendeth all others) were every one contending for his course to exercise his gift; one for spending the time in singing the Psalm he had made; another for spending the time in hearing his doctrinal discourse; a third for the spending it in hearing him discourse in an unknown Tongue; a fourth for the spending it in hearing his Revelation; a fifth for the spending it in hearing his Interpretation, or at least desiring the time might be protracted, until they had been all successively heard.

To prevent this and other disorders, the Apostle giveth several Rules. The first is, That all things should be so done, as might tend best to promote in men Faith and Holiness; that is, and ought to be the main and chief end of those who any way minister in Sacred things.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. 12. 8, [illegible: 1 span].