1 Corinthians14
New American Standard
1 Pursue love, yet earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
2 For the one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people, but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.
3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification, exhortation, and consolation.
4 The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but rather that you would prophesy; and greater is the one who prophesies than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edification.
6 But now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophecy, or of teaching?
7 Yet even lifeless instruments, whether flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp?
8 For if the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?
9 So you too, unless you produce intelligible speech by the tongue, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will just be talking to the air.
10 There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and none is incapable of meaning.
11 So if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be unintelligible to the one who speaks, and the one who speaks will be unintelligible to me.
12 So you too, since you are eager to possess spiritual gifts, strive to excel for the edification of the church.
13 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue is to pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive.
15 What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit, but I will sing with the mind also.
16 For otherwise, if you bless God in the spirit only, how will the one who occupies the place of the outsider know to say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you are saying?
17 For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified.
18 I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all;
19 nevertheless, in church I prefer to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20 Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
21 In the Law it is written: “By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to Me,” says the Lord.
22 So then, tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is not for unbelievers, but for those who believe.
23 Therefore if the whole church gathers together and all the people speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are insane?
24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all;
25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.
26 What is the outcome then, brothers and sisters? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All things are to be done for edification.
27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it must be by two or at the most three, and each one in turn, and one is to interpret;
28 but if there is no interpreter, he is to keep silent in church; and have him speak to himself and to God.
29 Have two or three prophets speak, and have the others pass judgment.
30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, then the first one is to keep silent.
31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;
32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;
33 for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,
34 the women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says.
35 If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.
36 Or was it from you that the word of God first went out? Or has it come to you only?
37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.
38 But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.
39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly way.
Study
1 Corinthians 14Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Corinthians 14. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Prophecy preferred to the gift of tongues. (1–5). The unprofitableness of speaking in unknown languages. (6–14). Exhortations to worship that can be understood. (15–25). Disorders from vain display of gifts; (26–33). and from women speaking in the church. (34–40).
vv1-5
Prophesying, that is, explaining Scripture, is compared with speaking with tongues. This drew attention, more than the plain interpretation of Scripture; it gratified pride more, but promoted the purposes of Christian charity less; it would not equally do good to the souls of men. What cannot be understood, never can edify. No advantage can be reaped from the most excellent discourses, if delivered in language such as the hearers cannot speak or understand. Every ability or possession is valuable in proportion to its usefulness. Even fervent, spiritual affection must be governed by the exercise of the understanding, else men will disgrace the truths they profess to promote.
vv6-14
Even an apostle could not edify, unless he spoke so as to be understood by his hearers. To speak words that have no meaning to those who hear them, is but speaking into the air. That cannot answer the end of speaking, which has no meaning; in this case, speaker and hearers are barbarians to each other. All religious services should be so performed in Christian assemblies, that all may join in, and profit by them. Language plain and easy to be understood, is the most proper for public worship, and other religious exercises. Every true follower of Christ will rather desire to do good to others, than to get a name for learning or fine speaking.
vv15-25
There can be no assent to prayers that are not understood. A truly Christian minister will seek much more to do spiritual good to men's souls, than to get the greatest applause to himself. This is proving himself the servant of Christ. Children are apt to be struck with novelty; but do not act like them. Christians should be like children, void of guile and malice; yet they should not be unskilful as to the word of righteousness, but only as to the arts of mischief. It is a proof that a people are forsaken of God, when he gives them up to the rule of those who teach them to worship in another language. They can never be benefitted by such teaching. Yet thus the preachers did who delivered their instructions in an unknown tongue. Would it not make Christianity ridiculous to a heathen, to hear the ministers pray or preach in a language which neither he nor the assembly understood? But if those who minister, plainly interpret Scripture, or preach the great truths and rules of the gospel, a heathen or unlearned person might become a convert to Christianity. His conscience might be touched, the secrets of his heart might be revealed to him, and so he might be brought to confess his guilt, and to own that God was present in the assembly. Scripture truth, plainly and duly taught, has a wonderful power to awaken the conscience and touch the heart.
Key Words
διώκω (diṓkō): compare the base of G1169 (δειλός) and G1249 (διάκονος)); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute
ἀγάπη (agápē): love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
δέ (dé): but, and, etc.
ζηλόω (zēlóō): to have warmth of feeling for or against
πνευματικός (pneumatikós): non-carnal, i.e. (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (dæmoniacally) a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religious
ἵνα (hína): compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
προφητεύω (prophēteúō): to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office
γάρ (gár): properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
λαλέω (laléō): to talk, i.e. utter words
γλῶσσα (glōssa): the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 14Paul explicitly quotes this passage as 'the law' regarding God speaking through foreign tongues.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
The Old Testament warning of foreign tongues as a sign of judgment upon an unbelieving people.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
The primary creation law reference regarding women being under obedience or subjection.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Parallels Paul's command for women to learn in silence and subjection in the church assembly.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Direct link to the prior command to covet earnestly the best gifts, immediately preceding chapter 13.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
The historical manifestation of miraculous tongues, defining them as real, intelligible foreign human languages.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Old Testament law requiring distinct trumpet sounds for battle, illuminating Paul's analogical argument.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Verbal echo of heathens confessing 'God is in you of a truth' upon seeing prophetic light.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Parallels the core mandate that all speech in the assembly must minister grace and edification.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Moses' wish that all the Lord's people were prophets parallels Paul's wish here.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Echoes Paul's immediate teaching on putting away childish thinking for spiritual maturity.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Parallels being simple/children concerning evil but wise and mature in understanding.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Parallels singing with understanding, spiritual wisdom, and teaching one another in psalms.
Supported by JFB
Illuminates conviction when secrets of the heart are made manifest by prophetic insight.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Apostolic instructions to not despise prophesyings but to prove/judge all things.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Reminds that the word of God went out from Jerusalem, rebuking Corinthian exceptionalism.
Supported by Matthew Poole