1 Corinthianschapter 14
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A.Prophecy Builds the Church; Tongues Build the Speakervv. 1-5
1 Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2 For 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 But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I 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.
B.A Trumpet With No Clear Callvv. 6-19
6 Now, 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 Even 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 Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle? 9 So 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 Assuredly, there are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If, 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 It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church. 13 Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What 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 Otherwise, 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 You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other one is not edified. 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
C.Tongues Signal Outsiders; Prophecy Exposes the Heartvv. 20-25
20 Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. 21 It 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 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. 23 So 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 But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all, 25 and the secrets of his heart will be made known. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!”
D.Two or Three, in Turn, With an Interpretervv. 26-33
26 What 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 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God. 29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is seated, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints.
E.Let Everything Be Done Decently and in Ordervv. 34-40
34 Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 35 If 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 Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37 If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command. 38 But if anyone ignores this, he himself will be ignored. 39 So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.
Chapter summary
Prophecy edifies the church; tongues edify the speaker unless interpreted.
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Chapter summary
Prophecy edifies the church; tongues edify the speaker unless interpreted.
Read the rest, the context and the outline ▾Show less ▴
Prophecy edifies the church; tongues edify the speaker unless interpreted. Let all things be done unto edifying. I had rather speak five words with my understanding than ten thousand in an unknown tongue. God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. Let your women keep silence in the churches. Let all things be done decently and in order. Henry reads the chapter as the apostolic rulebook for public worship. Order serves edification, which serves love.
Drawn from Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory, Matthew Henry, Complete Commentary, John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament and John Calvin, Commentaries.
Context
Epistle · Paul — 1 Corinthians overview
- A. 1–5 Prophecy Builds the Church; Tongues Build the Speaker
- B. 6–19 A Trumpet With No Clear Call
- C. 20–25 Tongues Signal Outsiders; Prophecy Exposes the Heart
- D. 26–33 Two or Three, in Turn, With an Interpreter
- E. 34–40 Let Everything Be Done Decently and in Order
Top cross-references8 chapters ▾
1 Corinthians 1413 verses
- 1 Corinthians 14:1Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
- 1 Corinthians 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.
- 1 Corinthians 14:3But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.
- 1 Corinthians 14:4The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
- 1 Corinthians 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?
- 1 Corinthians 14:8Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle?
- Read 1 Corinthians 14: 7 more there →
1 Corinthians 125 verses
- 1 Corinthians 12:7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
- 1 Corinthians 12:10to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
- 1 Corinthians 12:28And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.
- 1 Corinthians 12:30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
- 1 Corinthians 12:31But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.
- Read 1 Corinthians 12 →
1 Thessalonians 54 verses
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:19Do not extinguish the Spirit.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:20Do not treat prophecies with contempt,
- Read 1 Thessalonians 5 →
Acts 23 verses
- Acts 2:6And when this sound rang out, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking his own language.
- Acts 2:13But others mocked them and said, “They are drunk on new wine!”
- Acts 2:37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
- Read Acts 2 →
4 more chapters this one speaks with
Ephesians 53 verses
- Ephesians 5:12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
- Ephesians 5:19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord,
- Ephesians 5:25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her
- Read Ephesians 5 →
1 Corinthians 132 verses
- 1 Corinthians 13:1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.
- 1 Corinthians 13:11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I set aside childish ways.
- Read 1 Corinthians 13 →
1 John 42 verses
- 1 John 4:1Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.
- 1 John 4:6We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. That is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.
- Read 1 John 4 →
1 Timothy 42 verses
- 1 Timothy 4:13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching.
- 1 Timothy 4:14Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders.
- Read 1 Timothy 4 →
Cross-references from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and OpenBible.info.