Homilies on First Corinthians

“For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.”

What may this be which is spoken? “If when you prophesy,” says he, “and art speaking, the spirit of another stir him up, be silent thenceforth.” For that which he said in the case of the tongues, this also here he requires, that it should be done “in turn,” only in a diviner way here. For he made not use of the very expression, “in turn?” but “if a revelation be made to another.” Since what need was there further, that when the second was moved to prophesy the first should speak? Ought they then both? Nay, this were profane and would produce confusion. Ought the first? This too were out of place. For to this end when the one was speaking, the Spirit moved the other, in order that he too might say somewhat.

So then, comforting him that had been silenced, he says, “For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.” Do you see how again he states the reason wherefore he does all things? For if him that speaks with tongues he altogether forbid to speak, when he has not an interpreter, because of the unprofitableness; reasonably also he bids restrain prophecy, if it have not this quality, but creates confusion and disturbance and unseasonable tumult.