1 Corinthians 14

Prophecy Superior to Tongues

¹Follow after love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

²For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God, for no one understands, but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries.

³But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation.

⁴He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly.

⁵Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but even more that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up.

⁶But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with other languages, what would I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?

⁷Even lifeless things that make a sound, whether pipe or harp, if they didn’t give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped?

⁸For if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war?

⁹So also you, unless you uttered by the tongue words easy to understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you would be speaking into the air.

¹⁰There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without meaning.

¹¹If then I don’t know the meaning of the language, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks would be a foreigner to me.

¹²So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.

¹³Therefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may interpret.

¹⁴For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

¹⁵What should I do? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

¹⁶Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, seeing he doesn’t know what you say?

¹⁷For you most certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up.

¹⁸I thank my God, I speak with other languages more than you all.

¹⁹However, in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in another language.

²⁰Brothers, don’t be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature.

²¹In the law it is written, “By men of strange languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people. They won’t even listen to me that way, says the Lord.”

²²Therefore other languages are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to the unbelieving; but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to those who believe.

²³If therefore the whole assembly is assembled together and all speak with other languages, and unlearned or unbelieving people come in, won’t they say that you are crazy?

²⁴But if all prophesy, and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and he is judged by all.

²⁵And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed. So he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.

Order in Worship

²⁶What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, or has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up.

²⁷If any man speaks in another language, let there be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret.

²⁸But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself and to God.

²⁹Let two or three of the prophets speak, and let the others discern.

³⁰But if a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first keep silent.

³¹For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be exhorted.

³²The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets,

³³for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints.

³⁴Let the wives be quiet in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to be talking except in submission, as the law also says,

³⁵if they desire to learn anything. “Let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a wife to be talking in the assembly.”

³⁶What!? Was it from you that the word of God went out? Or did it come to you alone?

³⁷If any man thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize the things which I write to you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.

³⁸But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

³⁹Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking with other languages.

⁴⁰Let all things be done decently and in order.

Previous1 Corinthians 13

Next1 Corinthians 15

Paul addresses the Corinthian church's use of spiritual gifts, particularly speaking in tongues and prophecy, emphasizing that all gifts should serve to build up the church community. He argues that prophecy is superior to tongues in public worship because it edifies others through understandable communication, while tongues without interpretation only benefits the speaker. The chapter concludes with practical guidelines for orderly worship, ensuring that spiritual expressions contribute to the congregation's growth rather than causing confusion.

Context

This chapter continues Paul's discussion of spiritual gifts from chapters 12-13, applying the principle of love to the practical use of tongues and prophecy in worship.

Key Themes

Outline

1-5
Prophecy's Value Over TonguesPaul establishes that prophecy edifies the church while tongues primarily benefit the individual speaker.
6-12
The Necessity of Clear CommunicationUsing analogies of musical instruments and foreign languages, Paul emphasizes that spiritual gifts must be intelligible to benefit others.
13-19
Balancing Spirit and UnderstandingPaul advocates for worship that engages both spiritual expression and rational comprehension for maximum edification.
20-25
Purpose and Audience of Spiritual GiftsPaul explains that tongues serve as a sign for unbelievers while prophecy primarily benefits believers in the church.
26-33
Guidelines for Orderly WorshipPaul provides practical instructions for managing spiritual gifts in corporate worship to maintain order and mutual edification.
34-40
Proper Conduct and AuthorityPaul addresses women's participation in worship and concludes with final instructions about maintaining decency and order.

Prophecy Superior to Tongues

14:1–14:25

epistleinstructioncontemplative

Paul instructs the Corinthians to prioritize prophecy over speaking in tongues because prophecy edifies the entire church through clear communication, while tongues without interpretation benefit only the speaker.

person_contrast

Paul's emphasis on intelligible prophecy over ecstatic tongues reveals his pastoral priority of communal edification over individual spiritual experience, marking a shift from mystical to pedagogical concerns.

Order in Worship

14:26–14:40

epistleinstructionsolemn

Paul provides detailed instructions for orderly worship in the church, addressing the proper use of spiritual gifts like tongues and prophecy. He emphasizes that all worship activities should build up the community and be conducted decently and in order.

person_contrast

Paul's repeated command "let all things be done" (verses 26, 31, 40) creates a liturgical framework that transforms charismatic spontaneity into structured community worship.

1 Corinthians 14:2

Acts 2:4lexical

They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability t…

Acts 19:6lexical

When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke with other languages and prophesied.

Acts 2:11lexical

Cretans and Arabians—we hear them speaking in our languages the mighty works of God!”

Acts 10:46lexical

For they heard them speaking in other languages and magnifying God. Then Peter answered,

1 Corinthians 14:4

Acts 19:6lexical

When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke with other languages and prophesied.

1 Corinthians 14:5

Acts 19:6lexical

When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke with other languages and prophesied.

Acts 26:22lexical

Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, saying noth…

1 Peter 3:10lexical

For, “He who would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.

1 Corinthians 13:1lexical

If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymb…

Acts 20:35lexical

In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord…

1 Corinthians 14:6

John 7:17lexical

If anyone desires to do his will, he will know about the teaching, whether it is from God or if I am speaking from mysel…

1 Corinthians 13:8lexical

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they w…

1 Corinthians 13:1lexical

If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymb…

1 Corinthians 13:2lexical

If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mount…

Mark 7:11lexical

But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban,”’” th…

1 Corinthians 14:7

Revelation 14:2lexical

I heard a sound from heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of a great thunder. The sound which I heard…

Matthew 12:29lexical

Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then h…

1 Corinthians 14:9

1 Corinthians 13:1lexical

If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymb…

Acts 2:4lexical

They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability t…

1 Corinthians 14:13

1 Corinthians 12:30lexical

Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with various languages? Do all interpret?

1 Corinthians 14:16

Matthew 17:20lexical

He said to them, “Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed,…

1 Timothy 3:15lexical

but if I wait long, that you may know how men ought to behave themselves in God’s house, which is the assembly of the li…

1 Corinthians 14:17

2 Corinthians 11:4lexical

For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we didn’t preach, or if you receive a different spirit which you didn’t…

1 Corinthians 14:19

1 Peter 3:10lexical

For, “He who would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.

1 Corinthians 13:1lexical

If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymb…

1 Corinthians 14:21

Mark 7:6lexical

He answered them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips,…

Hebrews 9:19lexical

For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of the cal…

Acts 24:14lexical

But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believi…

Luke 24:44lexical

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Mo…

1 Corinthians 14:23

1 Corinthians 13:1lexical

If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymb…

Luke 17:7lexical

But who is there among you, having a servant plowing or keeping sheep, that will say when he comes in from the field, ‘C…

Matthew 21:25lexical

The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?” They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘Fr…

2 Corinthians 12:6lexical

For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, so that no man may thi…

Matthew 26:13lexical

Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be…

1 Corinthians 14:24

1 Corinthians 4:3lexical

But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by a human court. Yes, I don’t even judge my own…

1 Corinthians 14:25

Revelation 11:16lexical

The twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God’s throne, fell on their faces and worshiped God,

Mark 4:22lexical

For there is nothing hidden except that it should be made known, neither was anything made secret but that it should com…

Luke 8:17lexical

For nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.

1 Corinthians 14:26

1 Corinthians 12:10lexical

and to another workings of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another discerning of spirits, to another different…

1 Corinthians 14:27

John 2:6lexical

Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews’ way of purifying, containing two or three metretes apie…

Matthew 18:16lexical

But if he doesn’t listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be e…

1 Corinthians 12:30lexical

Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with various languages? Do all interpret?

Matthew 18:20lexical

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.”

Hebrews 10:28lexical

A man who disregards Moses’ law dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses.

1 Corinthians 14:29

Matthew 18:20lexical

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.”

John 2:6lexical

Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews’ way of purifying, containing two or three metretes apie…

Hebrews 10:28lexical

A man who disregards Moses’ law dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses.

1 Timothy 5:19lexical

Don’t receive an accusation against an elder except at the word of two or three witnesses.

Matthew 18:16lexical

But if he doesn’t listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be e…

1 Corinthians 14:30

2 Thessalonians 2:3lexical

Let no one deceive you in any way. For it will not be unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of sin is revealed,…

1 Corinthians 14:34

Ephesians 5:25lexical

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly and gave himself up for her,

1 Corinthians 14:35

Mark 9:28lexical

When he had come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we cast it out?”

1 Timothy 3:5lexical

(for how could someone who doesn’t know how to rule his own house take care of God’s assembly?)

1 Timothy 3:12lexical

Let servants be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

Acts 8:3lexical

But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house and dragged both men and women off to prison.

John 8:44lexical

You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, a…

1 Corinthians 14:36

Philippians 4:15lexical

You yourselves also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the Good News, when I departed from Macedonia, no as…

1 Thessalonians 1:8lexical

For from you the word of the Lord has been declared, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your fait…

1 Corinthians 14:37

2 Corinthians 1:13lexical

For we write no other things to you than what you read or even acknowledge, and I hope you will acknowledge to the end—

1 Corinthians 14:39

Acts 19:6lexical

When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke with other languages and prophesied.

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