[B-Greek] First Corinthians 14:18
Iver
iver_larsen at sil.org
Wed Sep 24 02:42:29 EDT 2003
> Subject: [B-Greek] First Corinthians 14:18
>
> EUCARISTWi TWi QEWi, PANTWN hUMWN MALLON GLWSSAIS LALW
>
> What are the possible meanings of MALLON here? Can it
> mean that he speaks more frequently than you all?
Yes, it can. The next verse compares a 1000 words spoken in a language that
is not known, to speaking five words in a language that the hearers
understand. MALLON means "to a higher degree than" and modifies the verb
(event), here the speaking (in tongues). Sometimes the verb needs to be
supplied from the context as in
1 Cor 14:1 Seek the spiritual (things/gifts), but MALLON [seek] that you may
prophesy
1 Cor 14:5 I want/wish all of you to speak in tongues, but MALLON [I
want/wish] that you prophecy
> Also, can it mean he speaks more languages than you all?
No, it cannot. The adverb modifies the verb, not the noun.
I am tempted to comment on Carl's comment, but that is difficult since he
moved into theology by introducing "ecstatic speech" which is foreign to the
text and context. The question in this passage of 1 Cor 14 is not whether to
speak in tongues or not, but whether to do so publicly in the assembly or
privately. In v. 10-11 Paul says that there are many kinds of languages
(FWNWN) in the world, but if I do not understand the language that the other
person is speaking, there will be no communication.
Iver Larsen
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