1 Corinthians 14:27

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

BSB

Parallel translations

4 additional translations

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KJV

If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

ASV

If any man speaketh in a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most three, and that in turn; and let one interpret:

YLT

if an unknown tongue any one do speak, by two, or at the most, by three, and in turn, and let one interpret;

DBT

If any one speak with a tongue, [let it be] two, or at the most three, and separately, and let one interpret;

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Commentary voices

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Voices4

On this verse

Here the Apostle instructs them on how to behave in regard to using the gift of tongues, and he does two things: first, he shows how they should use the gift of tongues: secondly, when they should stop using it (v. 28). First, therefore he …

Thomas Aquinas· Commentary on 1 Corinthians, 1274patristic

Related commentary

If any man speak in an unknown tongue,.... He begins with the gift of tongues, with speaking in an unknown tongue, as the Hebrew language, because this they were desirous of: and the rule for this he would have observed is, let it be by two, or at most by three, and that by course.

John Gill· Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748)reformed

Let it be by two, or at the most by three - That is, two, or at most three in one day, or in one meeting. So Grotius, Rosenmuller, Doddridge, Bloomfield, and Locke, understand it. It is probable that many were endowed with the gift of tongues; and it is certain that they were disposed to exercise the gift even when it could be of no real advantage, and when it was done only for ostentation.

Albert Barnes· Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)evangelical

He forbids women speaking in the church; and closes this subject by requiring them to perform every thing in the public worship with order and decency,

Matthew Henry· Commentary on the Whole Bible, 1710puritan

Voices on this verse

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Rabbinic commentary

How the Hebraic tradition has read this verse — and Marcus Brown’s own reading of it.

Cross-references

3 linked verses

The verses this one reaches3

1 Corinthians 14:26
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.
1 Corinthians 14:13
Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.
1 Corinthians 14:2
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.

Cross-references

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The quotation web

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Around this verse

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread — the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

Featured studyThe Gifts of the Spirit — 1 Corinthians 12–14This study walks through this verse.

The Crucifixion — 'Christ crucified' (1 Cor 2:2) — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)

1 Corinthians — A pastoral letter answering a long list of questions and problems — unity, ethics, worship, and the resurrection — written to a gifted but divided church.

Canon: New Testament
Author: Paul, with Sosthenes (1:1)
Date: c. AD 55, from Ephesus

The walk5

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first — the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
1 Corinthians 14:26
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…
leads to
- Ephesians 5:19
  Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord,
- 1 Corinthians 12:7–10
  Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
- Romans 14:19
  So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11
  Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.
- Ephesians 4:16
  From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part.

The whole web at once: see the Arc.

Where the connections lead

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