1 Corinthians 14

Gifts of Prophecy and Tongues

1 # 1 Cor 12.1, 31; 13.2; 16.14 Pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts and especially that you may prophesy. 2#Acts 10.46; 1 Cor 12.10, 28, 30; 13.1For those who speak in a tongue do not speak to other people but to God, for no one understands them, since they are speaking mysteries in the Spirit. 3#vv 5, 12, 17, 26; Acts 4.36But those who prophesy speak to other people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4Those who speak in a tongue build up themselves, but those who prophesy build up the church. 5#Num 11.29Now I would like all of you to speak in tongues but even more to prophesy. One who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

6 # v 26 ; Rom 6.17; 1 Cor 12.8Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you in some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 7It is the same way with lifeless instruments that produce sound, such as the flute or the harp. If they do not give distinct notes, how will what is being played on the flute or harp be recognized? 8#Num 10.9And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? 9#1 Cor 9.26So with yourselves: If in a tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air. 10There are doubtless many different kinds of sounds in the world, and nothing is without sound. 11#Acts 28.2If then I do not know the meaning of a sound, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. 12So with yourselves: since you are striving after spiritual gifts, seek to excel in them for building up the church.

13Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret. 14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unproductive. 15#Eph 5.19; Col 3.16What should I do then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the mind also; I will sing praise with the spirit, but I will sing praise with the mind also. 16#1 Chr 16.36; Ps 106.48; Mt 15.36; 1 Cor 11.24Otherwise, if you say a blessing with the spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say the “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since the outsider does not know what you are saying? 17#Rom 14.19For you may give thanks well enough, but the other person is not built up. 18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you; 19nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind, in order to instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20 # Ps 131.2; Rom 16.19; Eph 4.14; Heb 5.12, 13; 1 Pet 2.2 Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking; rather, be infants in evil, but in thinking be adults. 21#Isa 28.11, 12; Jn 10.34In the law it is written,

“By people of strange tongues

and by the lips of foreigners

I will speak to this people,

yet even then they will not listen to me,”

says the Lord. 22Tongues, then, are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers. 23#Acts 2.13If, therefore, the entire church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24But if all prophesy, an unbeliever or outsider who enters is reproved by all and called to account by all. 25After the secrets of the unbeliever’s heart are disclosed, that person will bow down before God and worship, declaring, “God is really among you.”

Orderly Worship

26 # 1 Cor 12.7–10; 2 Cor 12.19; Eph 4.12 What should be done then, my brothers and sisters? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. 27If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three and each in turn, and let one interpret. 28But if there is no one to interpret, let them be silent in church and speak to themselves and to God. 29Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30If someone sitting receives a revelation, let the first person be silent. 31For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged 32(and the spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets, 33for God is a God not of disorder but of peace), as in all the churches of the saints.

34 # Gen 3.16; 1 Tim 2.11, 12; 1 Pet 3.1 Women should be silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak but should be subordinate, as the law also says. 35If there is something they want to learn, let them ask their husbands at home.#14.35 Gk in a household For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.#14.35 Other ancient authorities put 14.34–35 after 14.40 36Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached?

37 # 2 Cor 10.7; 1 Jn 4.6 Anyone who claims to be a prophet or spiritual must acknowledge that what I am writing to you is a command#14.37 Other ancient authorities lack a command of the Lord. 38Anyone who does not recognize this is not to be recognized. 39#1 Cor 12.31So, my brothers and sisters, strive to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues, 40but all things should be done decently and in order.

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