1 Corinthians 14:18

18 I give thanks to God [that] I speak with tongues more than all of you,

1 Corinthians 14:18 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 14:18

I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all.
] This the apostle says, to observe to them that he did not despise speaking with tongues: nor did he endeavour to beat them off, and dissuade them from desiring them, or envied their having them, because he was destitute of them himself; for he had this gift in a very eminent manner, and oftentimes made use of it, and was frequently under a necessity of so doing; he could speak with more tongues than any of those that had them, and spoke them oftener than they did; having occasion for them through his travelling into different countries, and preaching the Gospel to people of divers languages; and this he mentions also not in a boasting manner, but in great humility, giving thanks to God, and acknowledging him to be the author of this gift.

1 Corinthians 14:18 In-Context

16 For otherwise, if you praise in [your] spirit, how will the one who fills the place of the outsider say the "amen" at your thanksgiving, because he does not know what you are saying?
17 For indeed you are giving thanks well, but the other person is not edified.
18 I give thanks to God [that] I speak with tongues more than all of you,
19 but in the church I prefer to speak five words with my mind, in order that I may instruct other [people], than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20 Brothers, do not become children in [your] understanding, but with respect to wickedness be as a child, and in [your] understanding be mature.
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