Note 1 at 1Co 14:1: This statement proves that Paul was not saying that the Corinthians should forsake the gifts of the Spirit for love. Right after his teaching about love, he told them to desire spiritual gifts. Paul was stressing that the gifts of the Spirit operating in love are superior to the gifts of the Spirit operating without love (see note 24 at 1Co 12:31 and note 35 at 1Co 13:13).

Note 2 at 1Co 14:1: This chapter is primarily contrasting two of the spiritual gifts Paul mentioned in 1Co 12, speaking in tongues (see note 28 at 1Co 12:10) and prophecy (see note 26 at 1Co 12:10). This was apparently done to correct some specific problems that had occurred in the Corinthian church through the abuse of the gift of speaking in tongues (1Co 14:26). Paul was stressing that unless the gifts edify the church, they should not be used in the public assembly (1Co 14:12 and 26).

A secondary issue that Paul dealt with in the latter part of this chapter is women keeping silent in the church assemblies (1Co 14:34-37).