1 Corinthians 14
1 Corinthians 14 contains Paul’s teaching about the gifts of speaking in tongues and prophecy. Paul emphasizes that the purpose of every gift is to build up the church, and he provides practical guidance on how tongues and prophecy should be used within the Corinthian church.
1verseFollow after love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
2verseFor he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God, for no one understands, but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries.
3verseBut he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation.
4verseHe who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly.
5verseNow 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.
6verseBut 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?
7verseEven 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?
8verseFor if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war?
9verseSo 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.
10verseThere are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without meaning.
11verseIf 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.
12verseSo also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.
13verseTherefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may interpret.
14verseFor if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15verseWhat 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.
16verseOtherwise, 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?
17verseFor you most certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up.
18verseI thank my God, I speak with other languages more than you all.
19verseHowever, 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.
20verseBrothers, don’t be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature.
21verseIn 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.”
22verseTherefore 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.
23verseIf 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?
24verseBut if all prophesy, and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and he is judged by all.
25verseAnd 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.
26verseWhat 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.
27verseIf any man speaks in another language, let there be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret.
28verseBut if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself and to God.
29verseLet two or three of the prophets speak, and let the others discern.
30verseBut if a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first keep silent.
31verseFor you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be exhorted.
32verseThe spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets,
33versefor God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints.
34verseLet 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,
35verseif 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.”
36verseWhat!? Was it from you that the word of God went out? Or did it come to you alone?
37verseIf 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.
38verseBut if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39verseTherefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking with other languages.
40verseLet all things be done decently and in order.
The Meaning and Role of Prophecy and Tongues
Paul says that prophecy plays a major role in building up the faith community, encouraging, and comforting (verse 3). Tongues are speaking mysteries to God, but he explains that without interpretation they cannot benefit those who are listening (verses 4–5).
Building Up the Church Comes First
Paul sets the standard for everything as “building up the church.” In other words, he makes it clear that no matter what gift it may be, it is more important that it be beneficial to the community than one’s personal spiritual experience or the gift itself (verse 12).
Order in the Use of Tongues and Interpretation
Paul emphasizes that the use of tongues is edifying to the church only when there is interpretation. If there is no interpreter, he advises believers to refrain from speaking in tongues or to speak directly to God quietly (verses 27–28).
The Order of Prophecy and Wise Worship Conduct
Paul also says that with prophecy, people should not all speak at once; they must keep order and follow the right sequence (verses 29–33). This aligns with Paul’s advice that there should be peace, not confusion. He says that worship of God must always take place in order and peace.
A Counsel Regarding Women’s Conduct
In the latter part of chapter 14, Paul provides guidance concerning women’s worship conduct within the Corinthian church (verses 34–35). This section may be understood in various ways and has been discussed widely, but in the overall context it can be seen as a guideline for maintaining worship order and unity in the community.
Closing and Summary
As Paul concludes chapter 14, he emphasizes that all gifts should be grounded in the principle that “everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way” (verse 40). This is an important guideline that applies to every community of faith.
Meditation Points
- Consider how gifts can benefit the community
- Reflect on whether my language, actions, and worship attitude are helping to build up the community
- Reflect on what my role is for the sake of order and peace
Apply It to Yourself
- Consider specifically how the talents or gifts I have can be beneficial to the community (home, church, workplace)
- Start with even small practical steps to build peace and order in the community I belong to
