1 Corinthians 14:22-39

Prophecy and Tongues

22 Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign 1 not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, m will they not say that you are out of your minds? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 25 n the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, o falling on his face, he will worship God and p declare that God is really among you.

Orderly Worship

26 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has q a hymn, r a lesson, r a revelation, s a tongue, or t an interpretation. u Let all things be done for building up. 27 If any speak in s a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others v weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, w let the first be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.

33 For God is not a God of x confusion but of peace. As in y all the churches of the saints, 34 z the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but a should be in submission, as b the Law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.

36 Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37 c If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. 38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 So, my brothers, d earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

  1. Cross References
    Acts 2:13
    But others mocking said, "They are filled with new wine.
  2. Cross References
    Hebrews 4:12
    For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
  3. Cross References
    Luke 17:16
    And he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.
  4. Cross References
    Isaiah 45:14
    Thus says the Lord : "The wealth of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, and the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over to you and be yours; they shall follow you; they shall come over in chains and bow down to you. They will plead with you, saying: 'Surely God is in you, and there is no other, no god besides him.'
    Zechariah 8:23
    Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, 'Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.'
  5. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:19
    Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.
  6. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 14:6
    Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?
  7. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 14:6
    Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?
  8. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 14:18
    I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
  9. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 14:5
    Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
    1 Corinthians 14:13
    Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret.
    1 Corinthians 14:27 - 28
    If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret.
    1 Corinthians 12:10
    To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
    1 Corinthians 12:30
    Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
  10. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 12:19
    Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved.
    2 Corinthians 13:10
    For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.
    1 Corinthians 12:7
    To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
  11. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 14:26
    What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.
  12. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 12:10
    To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
    Job 12:11
    Does not the ear test words as the palate tastes food?
    1 John 4:1
    Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
  13. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 5:19 - 20
    Do not quench the Spirit.
  14. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 14:40
    But all things should be done decently and in order.
  15. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:17
    Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.
  16. Cross References
    1 Timothy 2:11 - 12
    Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness.
  17. Cross References
    1 Peter 3:1
    Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives.
  18. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 14:21
    In the Law it is written, "By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.
  19. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 10:7
    Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ's, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ's, so also are we.
    1 John 4:6
    We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
  20. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 12:31
    But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.