Note 17 at 1Co 14:31: The Greek word "MATHETES" (translated "disciple" in the King James Version), used as a noun, was derived from the verb "MANTHANO" ("to learn" [Strong's Concordance]), which was used in this passage. MANTHANO was translated as "learn," or some variation of "learn," twenty-four times in the King James Version and as "understood" one time.

About a dozen different Greek and Hebrew words are associated with teaching and learning in the Old and New Testaments. Teaching and learning, in the Scriptures, are much more than academic. They involve being guided by God's principles in relationship to others, as well as knowing and responding to God. They call for us to put the Word of God into practice, not just hear it (Jas 1:22). They involve hearing a word from the outside and putting it on the inside so that it may be expressed in our every action. Pr 2 tells us to incline our ears unto wisdom, apply our hearts to understanding, cry after knowledge, lift up our voices for understanding, seek it as silver, search for it like hidden treasures, and then we will understand and find the knowledge of God (Pr 2:1-7). God says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Ho 4:6) and admonishes us to meditate in His Word day and night that we may observe to do all that is written therein (Jos 1:8, Ps 1:1-3, and 1Ti 4:15-16).

Therefore, Paul's statement here is complementary to his instruction that all things should be done unto edifying (1Co 14:12 and 26). If those present cannot be taught by what is being done, then it shouldn't be done.

Note 18 at 1Co 14:31: Just as with the gift of tongues (that which was spoken in the church was to benefit everyone), so it was with prophecy. Those listening were to learn and be comforted.

Note 19 at 1Co 14:31: The end result of prophecy is that it should comfort, encourage, edify, strengthen, exhort, stimulate, and help (1Co 14:3 and 31). These should be the guidelines for prophecy within the New Testament church (Ro 1:12; 2Co 1:4; Eph 6:22; 1Th 4:18, 5:11, and 14).