1 Corinthians 14
1 Corinthians 14 is part of “Spiritual Gifts and Love” (12–14) in the outline of 1 Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 14 summary
In this chapter the apostle directs them about the use of their spiritual gifts, preferring those that are best and fitted to do the greatest good. I. He begins with advising them of all spiritual gifts to prefer prophesying, and shows that this is much better than speaking with tongues (Co1 14:1-5). II.
Read the full introduction
In this chapter the apostle directs them about the use of their spiritual gifts, preferring those that are best and fitted to do the greatest good. I. He begins with advising them of all spiritual gifts to prefer prophesying, and shows that this is much better than speaking with tongues (Co1 14:1-5). II. He goes on to show them how unprofitable the speaking of foreign languages is, and useless to the church; it is like piping in one tone, like sounding a trumpet without any certain note, like talking gibberish; whereas gifts should be used for the good of the church (Co1 14:6-14). III. He advises that worship should be celebrated so that the most ignorant might understand, and join in prayer and praise, and presses the advice by his own example (Co1 14:15-20). IV. He informs them that tongues were a sign for unbelievers rather than those that believe; and represents the advantage of prophecy above speaking with tongues, from the different suggestions they would give to the mind of an unbeliever coming into their assemblies (Co1 14:21-25). V. He blames them for the disorder and confusion they had brought into the assembly, by their vanity and ostentation of their gifts; and directs them in using the gifts both of tongues and prophecy (Co1 14:26-33). VI. 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 (Co1 14:34 to the end).
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
1 Corinthians 14 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
Prophecy and Tongues
1Followe after loue, and couet spirituall giftes, and rather that ye may prophecie. 2For hee that speaketh a strange tongue, speaketh not vnto men, but vnto God: for no man heareth him: howbeit in the spirit he speaketh secret things. 3But he that prophecieth, speaketh vnto me to edifying, and to exhortation, and to comfort. 4He that speaketh strange language, edifieth himselfe: but hee that prophecieth, edifieth the Church. 5I would that ye all spake strange languages, but rather that ye prophecied: for greater is hee that prophecieth, then hee that speaketh diuers tongues, except hee expound it, that the Church may receiue edification. 6And nowe, brethren, if I come vnto you speaking diuers tongues, what shall I profite you, except I speake to you, either by reuelation, or by knowledge, or by prophecying, or by doctrine? 7Moreouer things without life which giue a sounde, whether it be a pipe or an harpe, except they make a distinction in the soundes, how shall it be knowen what is piped or harped? 8And also if the trumpet giue an vncertaine sound, who shall prepare himselfe to battell? 9So likewise you, by the tongue, except yee vtter wordes that haue signification, howe shall it be vnderstand what is spoken? for ye shall speake in the ayre. 10There are so many kindes of voyces (as it commeth to passe) in the world, and none of them is dumme. 11Except I know then the power of ye voyce, I shall be vnto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh, shalbe a barbarian vnto me. 12Euen so, forasmuch as ye couet spirituall giftes, seeke that ye may excell vnto the edifying of the Church. 13Wherefore, let him that speaketh a strange tongue, pray, that he may interprete. 14For if I pray in a strange togue, my spirit prayeth: but mine vnderstading is without fruite. 15What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, but I wil pray with the vnderstanding also: I wil sing with the spirite, but I will sing with the vnderstanding also. 16Else, when thou blessest with the spirit, howe shall hee that occupieth the roome of the vnlearned, say Amen, at thy giuing of thankes, seeing he knoweth not what thou sayest? 17For thou verely giuest thankes well, but the other is not edified. 18I thanke my God, I speake languages more then ye all. 19Yet had I rather in the Church to speake fiue wordes with mine vnderstanding, that I might also instruct others, then ten thousande wordes in a strange tongue.
Orderly Worship
20Brethren, be not children in vnderstanding, but as concerning maliciousnes be children, but in vnderstanding be of a ripe age. 21In the Lawe it is written, By men of other tongues, and by other languages will I speake vnto this people: yet so shall they not heare me, sayth the Lord. 22Wherefore strange tongues are for a signe, not to them that beleeue, but to them that beleeue not: but prophecying serueth not for them that beleeue not, but for them which beleeue. 23If therefore when the whole Church is come together in one, and all speake strange tongues, there come in they that are vnlearned, or they which beleeue not, will they not say, that ye are out of your wittes? 24But if all prophecie, and there come in one that beleeueth not, or one vnlearned, hee is rebuked of all men, and is iudged of all, 25And so are the secrets of his heart made manifest, and so he will fall downe on his face and worship God, and say plainely that God is in you in deede.
Orderly Worship
26What is to be done then, brethren? when ye come together, according as euery one of you hath a Psalme, or hath doctrine, or hath a tongue, or hath reuelation, or hath interpretation, let all things be done vnto edifying. 27If any man speake a strange tongue, let it be by two, or at the most, by three, and that by course, and let one interprete. 28But if there be no interpreter, let him keepe silence in the Church, which speaketh languages, and let him speake to himselfe, and to God. 29Let the Prophets speake two, or three, and let the other iudge. 30And if any thing be reueiled to another that sitteth by, let the first holde his peace. 31For ye may all prophecie one by one, that all may learne, and all may haue comfort. 32And the spirits of the Prophets are subiect to the Prophets. 33For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as we see in all ye Churches of the Saints. 34Let your women keepe silence in the Churches: for it is not permitted vnto them to speake: but they ought to be subiect, as also the Lawe sayth. 35And if they will learne any thing, let them aske their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speake in the Church. 36Came the worde of God out from you? either came it vnto you onely? 37If any man thinke him selfe to be a Prophet, or spirituall, let him acknowledge, that the things, that I write vnto you, are the commandements of the Lord. 38And if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39Wherefore, brethren, couet to prophecie, and forbid not to speake languages. 40Let all things be done honestly, and by order.