1 Corinthians 14

The Importance of Understanding 1 Corinthians 14:6–12

⁶Verse 6. But 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? ⁷Verse 7. Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they didn’t give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped? ⁸Verse 8. For if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war? ⁹Verse 9. So 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.

¹⁰Verse 10. There are, it may be, so many kinds of sounds in the world, and none of them is without meaning. ¹¹Verse 11. If then I don’t know the meaning of the sound, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks would be a foreigner to me. ¹²Verse 12. So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.

Praying and Singing with Understanding 1 Corinthians 14:13–19

¹³Verse 13. Therefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may interpret. ¹⁴Verse 14. For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. ¹⁵Verse 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. ¹⁶Verse 16. Otherwise 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? ¹⁷Verse 17. For you most certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up.

¹⁸Verse 18. I thank my God, I speak with other languages more than you all. ¹⁹Verse 19. However 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.

Signs for Believers and Unbelievers 1 Corinthians 14:20–25

²⁰Verse 20. Brothers, don’t be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature. ²¹Verse 21. In the law it is written, “By men of strange languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people. Not even thus will they hear me, says the Lord.” ²²Verse 22. Therefore 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. ²³Verse 23. If 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?

²⁴Verse 24. But if all prophesy, and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and he is judged by all. ²⁵Verse 25. And 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.

Orderly Worship Practices 1 Corinthians 14:26–33

²⁶Verse 26. What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up. ²⁷Verse 27. If any man speaks in another language, let it be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret. ²⁸Verse 28. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself, and to God. ²⁹Verse 29. Let the prophets speak, two or three, and let the others discern. ³⁰Verse 30. But if a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first keep silent.

³¹Verse 31. For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted. ³²Verse 32. The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets, ³³Verse 33. for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints.

Instructions Regarding Women and Prophecy 1 Corinthians 14:34–38

³⁴Verse 34. Let 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, ³⁵Verse 35. if 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.” ³⁶Verse 36. What!? Was it from you that the word of God went out? Or did it come to you alone? ³⁷Verse 37. If 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.

³⁸Verse 38. But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

Desire Prophecy and Maintain Order 1 Corinthians 14:39–40

³⁹Verse 39. Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking with other languages. ⁴⁰Verse 40. Let all things be done decently and in order.