1 Corinthians14
New King James Version
1Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
2For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
3But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
4He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
5I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
6But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?
7Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played?
8For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?
9So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.
10There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance.
11Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me.
12Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.
13Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
16Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?
17For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;
19yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.
21In the law it is written: “With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,” says the Lord.
22Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.
23Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
24But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.
25And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.
26How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
27If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.
28But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.
29Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.
30But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent.
31For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.
32And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
34Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.
35And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.
36Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached?
37If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.
38But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.
40Let all things be done decently and in order.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Corinthians 14.
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