American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
1 Corinthians 14
1
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy.
Reference
Love
1 Corinthians 16:14
1 Corinthians 13:13
Proverbs 15:9
Parallel theme
Hebrews 12:14
Isaiah 51:1
Prophecy
1 Corinthians 14:39
1 Timothy 4:14
1 Thessalonians 5:20
Spirit
1 Corinthians 12:1
1 Corinthians 14:37
2
For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not to men, but to God: for no man understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
Reference
Parallel theme
Mark 16:17
1 Corinthians 13:2
References God
Acts 10:46
Spirit
Acts 19:6
1 Corinthians 2:10
4
He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the church.
Reference
5
I would that you all spoke with tongues but rather that you prophesied: for greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
Reference
6
Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
Reference
7
And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
9
So likewise you, except you utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for you shall speak into the air.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Corinthians 9:26
10
There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
11
Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaks a barbarian, and he that speaks shall be a barbarian to me.
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 28:2
12
Even so you, for as much as you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that you may excel to the edifying of the church.
Reference
14
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
Reference
Spirit
1 Corinthians 14:2
15
What is it then? 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.
Reference
16
Else when you shall bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupies the room of the unlearned say Amen at your giving of thanks, seeing he understands not what you say?
Reference
Blessing
Psalm 106:48
1 Chronicles 16:36
Revelation 7:12
Nehemiah 8:6
Parallel theme
Revelation 5:14
Jeremiah 28:6
1 Corinthians 11:24
Numbers 5:22
17
For you truly give thanks well, but the other is not edified.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Corinthians 14:4
18
I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all:
19
Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Corinthians 14:4
20
Brothers, be not children in understanding: however, in malice be you children, but in understanding be men.
Reference
21
In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak to this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, said the LORD.
Reference
22
Why tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serves not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
Reference
Faith
Mark 16:17
23
If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad?
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 2:13
24
But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believes not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
25
And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
Reference
26
How is it then, brothers? when you come together, every one of you has a psalm, has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to edifying.
Reference
27
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Corinthians 14:26
28
But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29
Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
Reference
Prophecy
1 Corinthians 12:10
30
If any thing be revealed to another that sits by, let the first hold his peace.
Reference
Parallel theme
Job 32:11
31
For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Thessalonians 5:14
32
And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
Reference
Spirit
1 John 4:1
33
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Corinthians 14:40
1 Corinthians 4:17
Peace
2 Thessalonians 3:16
Galatians 5:22
Hebrews 13:20
Romans 15:33
1 Corinthians 7:15
Luke 2:14
References God
1 Corinthians 11:16
1 Corinthians 7:17
34
Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted to them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also said the law.
Reference
35
And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
Reference
Parallel theme
Ephesians 5:12
36
What? came the word of God out from you? or came it to you only?
37
If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.
Reference
39
Why, brothers, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Corinthians 12:31
1 Corinthians 14:5
1 Corinthians 14:3
Prophecy
1 Corinthians 14:1
1 Thessalonians 5:20
Summary of 1 Corinthians 14
1 Corinthians 14 explains that spiritual gifts must be used in a way that helps people understand, grow, and participate, so Paul places prophecy and clear teaching above unintelligible speech during public worship while insisting that spiritual freedom must always be balanced with order, self-control, and concern for the whole church.
Paul does not reject speaking in languages or other spiritual gifts, but he argues that a message nobody understands cannot strengthen the gathered church unless it is interpreted, whereas understandable prophecy can teach, encourage, correct, and even lead an unbeliever to recognize God's presence.
Using examples from music and military trumpets, Paul shows that communication requires recognizable meaning, because an instrument that produces random sounds cannot guide musicians and a trumpet that gives an unclear signal cannot prepare soldiers for action.
Paul therefore encourages believers to worship with both spiritual devotion and understanding, explaining that prayer, singing, teaching, prophecy, and other contributions should be meaningful to the entire congregation rather than becoming private experiences performed publicly.
The chapter also establishes practical rules for worship, including limiting the number of people speaking in languages or prophesying, requiring interpretation where necessary, allowing others to evaluate prophetic messages, and ensuring that speakers give one another room to contribute, because God is a God of peace and order rather than confusion.
Paul's instructions concerning women in verses 34–35 are among the most debated passages in the chapter, particularly because earlier in the letter he refers to women praying and prophesying, so Christians have interpreted these verses differently according to their understanding of the cultural situation, the meaning of "silence," and the specific problem Paul was correcting.
The chapter closes by emphasizing that Christians should desire spiritual gifts without allowing those gifts to create disorder, because genuine Christian worship should combine spiritual freedom with understandable communication, thoughtful participation, self-control, peace, and the building up of the entire church.
The central message of 1 Corinthians 14 is that spiritual gifts are valuable only when they are used in a way that helps other people, meaning that Christian worship should never become a competition for attention or a display of impressive spiritual experiences that leaves the congregation confused.
Paul's strongest concern is understandability.
If someone speaks in a language that nobody understands and there is no interpretation, the speaker may be experiencing something meaningful personally, but the rest of the church cannot benefit from it.
Prophecy, teaching, and understandable communication are therefore especially valuable during public worship because they allow people to learn, receive encouragement, recognize wrongdoing, and grow in faith.
The chapter also teaches that spiritual inspiration does not eliminate self-control.
A person who receives a spiritual gift is still responsible for deciding when and how to use it.
No one should interrupt constantly, dominate the meeting, or create confusion simply because they believe they have received a spiritual message.
The goal is always to build up the church.
Paul's final principle provides a simple standard for Christian gatherings: everything should be done properly and orderly, not because worship should become cold or rigid, but because good order allows more people to participate, understand, learn, and be encouraged.
The chapter therefore connects directly with chapter 13: love must control the use of spiritual gifts, because love does not ask, "How can I make myself look spiritual?" but rather, "How can what God has given me help the people around me?"
In this way, 1 Corinthians 14 teaches that Christian freedom should produce useful service, spiritual gifts should produce growth, and worship should produce peace and understanding rather than confusion and competition.
Paul does not reject speaking in languages or other spiritual gifts, but he argues that a message nobody understands cannot strengthen the gathered church unless it is interpreted, whereas understandable prophecy can teach, encourage, correct, and even lead an unbeliever to recognize God's presence.
Using examples from music and military trumpets, Paul shows that communication requires recognizable meaning, because an instrument that produces random sounds cannot guide musicians and a trumpet that gives an unclear signal cannot prepare soldiers for action.
Paul therefore encourages believers to worship with both spiritual devotion and understanding, explaining that prayer, singing, teaching, prophecy, and other contributions should be meaningful to the entire congregation rather than becoming private experiences performed publicly.
The chapter also establishes practical rules for worship, including limiting the number of people speaking in languages or prophesying, requiring interpretation where necessary, allowing others to evaluate prophetic messages, and ensuring that speakers give one another room to contribute, because God is a God of peace and order rather than confusion.
Paul's instructions concerning women in verses 34–35 are among the most debated passages in the chapter, particularly because earlier in the letter he refers to women praying and prophesying, so Christians have interpreted these verses differently according to their understanding of the cultural situation, the meaning of "silence," and the specific problem Paul was correcting.
The chapter closes by emphasizing that Christians should desire spiritual gifts without allowing those gifts to create disorder, because genuine Christian worship should combine spiritual freedom with understandable communication, thoughtful participation, self-control, peace, and the building up of the entire church.
The central message of 1 Corinthians 14 is that spiritual gifts are valuable only when they are used in a way that helps other people, meaning that Christian worship should never become a competition for attention or a display of impressive spiritual experiences that leaves the congregation confused.
Paul's strongest concern is understandability.
If someone speaks in a language that nobody understands and there is no interpretation, the speaker may be experiencing something meaningful personally, but the rest of the church cannot benefit from it.
Prophecy, teaching, and understandable communication are therefore especially valuable during public worship because they allow people to learn, receive encouragement, recognize wrongdoing, and grow in faith.
The chapter also teaches that spiritual inspiration does not eliminate self-control.
A person who receives a spiritual gift is still responsible for deciding when and how to use it.
No one should interrupt constantly, dominate the meeting, or create confusion simply because they believe they have received a spiritual message.
The goal is always to build up the church.
Paul's final principle provides a simple standard for Christian gatherings: everything should be done properly and orderly, not because worship should become cold or rigid, but because good order allows more people to participate, understand, learn, and be encouraged.
The chapter therefore connects directly with chapter 13: love must control the use of spiritual gifts, because love does not ask, "How can I make myself look spiritual?" but rather, "How can what God has given me help the people around me?"
In this way, 1 Corinthians 14 teaches that Christian freedom should produce useful service, spiritual gifts should produce growth, and worship should produce peace and understanding rather than confusion and competition.