Chrysostom on ‘tongues’ in I Cor. 14:16-17
Chrysostom again reflects the massive consensus in the Early Church Fathers, as to the true meaning of I Cor. 14:16-17. Says he: “By the [word ‘ignorant’ or] ‘unlearned,’ he [Paul] means the layman.” Paul here “signifies that he [the layman] also suffers no little loss — where he is unable [comprehendingly] to say ‘Amen!’
“What he [Paul] says, is this: ‘if you shall bless in a barbarian tongue [yet] not…be able to interpret [that foreign language] — the layman cannot [comprehendingly] respond ‘Amen!'” In such a case, “‘you are indeed giving thanks well’ — since you are speaking, while being moved by the Spirit. But the other, hearing nothing [comprehendingly] –nor knowing what is being said — stands there receiving no great advantage by it!”
