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    1 Corinthians · 40 verses

    1 Corinthians 14

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    Five coherent words are preferred to ten thousand words in a tongue, which is an admirably severe economy of speech.

    Speech that can be understoodvv. 1–25

    The chapter prizes prophecy because it speaks to people for edification, encouragement, and comfort, while a tongue, without interpretation, leaves its hearers listening to mysteries. Even the flute, harp, and trumpet are summoned as witnesses: notes must be distinct, or nobody knows whether music or battle is meant. The speaker gladly admits to speaking in tongues more than all of them, then chooses five intelligible words in church over ten thousand in a tongue. Tongues are called a sign for unbelievers; yet when unbelievers hear everyone speaking in tongues, the likely verdict is that the whole assembly is out of its mind. Prophecy receives the more astonishing welcome: the secrets of a visitor’s heart are made known, and he falls facedown proclaiming, “God is truly among you!”

    A very full meeting, carefully managedvv. 26–40

    When the church comes together, everyone has something: a psalm, teaching, revelation, tongue, or interpretation. The abundance is not suppressed, but arranged: two or three may speak in a tongue, an interpreter must attend, two or three prophets speak, and the others weigh what is said. A seated prophet may receive a revelation, at which point the first speaker stops; spirits of prophets, rather neatly, are subject to prophets. Then comes the chapter’s striking restriction amid this general invitation to contribute: women are to be silent in the churches and ask their own husbands at home. The conclusion keeps both instructions in view—prophecy is to be eagerly desired, tongues are not to be forbidden, and everything is to be done properly and orderly.

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    Berean Standard Bible, public domain. Names the Hebrew and Greek put in the verse link to the person, place or people they name; the address beside each verse is a link to that verse, which is what a reader copies and shares.

    1. 1 Cor 14:1Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.

    2. 1 Cor 14:2For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit.

    3. 1 Cor 14:3But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.

    4. 1 Cor 14:4The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.

    5. 1 Cor 14:5I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified.

    6. 1 Cor 14:6Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

    7. 1 Cor 14:7Even in the case of lifeless instruments, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone recognize the tune they are playing unless the notes are distinct?

    8. 1 Cor 14:8Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle?

    9. 1 Cor 14:9So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.

    10. 1 Cor 14:10Assuredly, there are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.

    11. 1 Cor 14:11If, then, I do not know the meaning of someone’s language, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.

    12. 1 Cor 14:12It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.

    13. 1 Cor 14:13Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.

    14. 1 Cor 14:14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

    15. 1 Cor 14:15What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.

    16. 1 Cor 14:16Otherwise, if you speak a blessing in spirit, how can someone who is uninstructed say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

    17. 1 Cor 14:17You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other one is not edified.

    18. 1 Cor 14:18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

    19. 1 Cor 14:19But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

    20. 1 Cor 14:20Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.

    21. 1 Cor 14:21It is written in the Law: “By strange tongues and foreign lips I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to Me, says the Lord.”

    22. 1 Cor 14:22Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.

    23. 1 Cor 14:23So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who are uninstructed or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds?

    24. 1 Cor 14:24But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all,

    25. 1 Cor 14:25and the secrets of his heart will be made known. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!”

    26. 1 Cor 14:26What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.

    27. 1 Cor 14:27If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret.

    28. 1 Cor 14:28But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God.

    29. 1 Cor 14:29Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.

    30. 1 Cor 14:30And if a revelation comes to someone who is seated, the first speaker should stop.

    31. 1 Cor 14:31For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.

    32. 1 Cor 14:32The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.

    33. 1 Cor 14:33For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints.

    34. 1 Cor 14:34Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.

    35. 1 Cor 14:35If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church.

    36. 1 Cor 14:36Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached?

    37. 1 Cor 14:37If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command.

    38. 1 Cor 14:38But if anyone ignores this, he himself will be ignored.

    39. 1 Cor 14:39So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

    40. 1 Cor 14:40But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.

    02 — Read alongside

    Where this is echoed

    Readers' own connections, from OpenBible's crowd-voted cross-references — agreement about relevance, and not scholarly confidence. 399 passages were voted onto 38 verses of this chapter; the 16 shown lead on votes, and each is listed at the verse it was voted onto most strongly.

    • 21Isaiah 28:11–12Indeed, with mocking lips and foreign tongues, He will speak to this people
    • 33James 3:17–18But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
    • 341 Timothy 2:11–12A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness.
    • 331 Corinthians 14:40But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.
    • 332 Thessalonians 3:16Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
    • 26Ephesians 5:19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord,
    • 34Genesis 3:16To the woman He said: “I will sharply increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”
    • 33Galatians 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
    • 34Numbers 30:3–13And if a woman in her father’s house during her youth makes a vow to the LORD or obligates herself by a pledge,
    • 21Jeremiah 5:15Behold, I am bringing a distant nation against you, O house of Israel,” declares the LORD. “It is an established nation, an ancient nation, a nation whose language you do not know and whose speech you do not understand.
    • 15Colossians 3:16Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
    • 331 Corinthians 11:16If anyone is inclined to dispute this, we have no other practice, nor do the churches of God.
    • 341 Corinthians 14:35If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church.
    • 34Colossians 3:18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
    • 40Colossians 2:5For although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I delight to see your orderly condition and firm faith in Christ.
    • 40Titus 1:5The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.

    Onward

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