1 Corinthians 14:1-40

Prophecy and Tongues

1 s Pursue love, and t earnestly desire the u spiritual gifts, especially that you may v prophesy. 2 For w one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but x 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.

6 Now, brothers, 1 if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some y revelation or knowledge or prophecy or z teaching? 7 If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? 8 And a if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? 9 So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be b speaking into the air. 10 There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, 11 but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be c a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. 12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.

13 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; d I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will e sing with my mind also. 16 Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider 2 say f "Amen" to g your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up. 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20 Brothers, h do not be children in your thinking. i Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be j mature. 21 k In the Law it is written, l "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." 22 Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign 3 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. 40 e But all things should be done decently and f in order.

  1. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 16:14
    Let all that you do be done in love.
  2. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 12:31
    But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
  3. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 12:1
    Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.
  4. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 11:4
    Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.
    1 Corinthians 13:2
    And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
  5. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 14:18 - 23
    I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
    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.
  6. Cross References
    Numbers 11:29
    But Moses said to him, "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord 's people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!
  7. 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.
    Ephesians 1:17
    That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him.
  8. 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.
    Acts 2:42
    And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
    Romans 6:17
    But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed.
  9. Cross References
    Numbers 10:9
    And when you go to war in your land against the adversary who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, that you may be remembered before the Lord your God, and you shall be saved from your enemies.
    Isaiah 58:1
    Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins.
    Jeremiah 4:19
    My anguish, my anguish! I writhe in pain! Oh the walls of my heart! My heart is beating wildly; I cannot keep silent, for I hear the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.
    Ezekiel 33:3 - 6
    And if he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows the trumpet and warns the people.
    Joel 2:1
    Blow a trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming; it is near.
  10. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 9:26
    So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.
  11. Cross References
    Acts 28:2
    The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold.
  12. 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.
    Colossians 3:16
    Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
    James 5:13
    Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
  13. Cross References
    Psalms 47:7
    For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!
  14. Cross References
    1 Chronicles 16:36
    Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from ev...
    Nehemiah 5:13
    I also shook out the fold of my garment and sai...
    Nehemiah 8:6
    And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and a...
    Psalms 106:48
    Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from ev...
    Jeremiah 11:5
    That I may confirm the oath that I swore to you...
    Jeremiah 28:6
    And the prophet Jeremiah said, "Amen! May the L...
    Revelation 5:14
    And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" and...
    Revelation 7:12
    Saying, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom an...
    Revelation 19:4
    And the twenty-four elders and the four living ...
    2 Corinthians 1:20
    For all the promises of God find their Yes in h...
  15. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 11:24
    And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.
  16. Cross References
    Ephesians 4:14
    So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
    Hebrews 5:12 - 13
    For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food.
  17. Cross References
    Psalms 131:2
    But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
    Isaiah 28:9
    To whom will he teach knowledge, and to whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, those taken from the breast?
    Romans 16:19
    For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.
    Matthew 18:3
    And said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
  18. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 2:6
    Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.
  19. Cross References
    John 10:34
    Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I said, you are gods'?
  20. Cross References
    Isaiah 28:11 - 12
    For by people of strange lips and with a foreign tongue the Lord will speak to this people.
    Deuteronomy 28:49
    The Lord will bring a nation against you from far away, from the end of the earth, swooping down like the eagle, a nation whose language you do not understand.
  21. Cross References
    Isaiah 28:11 - 12
    For by people of strange lips and with a foreign tongue the Lord will speak to this people.
  22. Cross References
    Acts 2:13
    But others mocking said, "They are filled with new wine.
  23. 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.
  24. Cross References
    Luke 17:16
    And he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.
  25. 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.'
  26. 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.
  27. 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?
  28. 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?
  29. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 14:18
    I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
  30. 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?
  31. 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.
  32. 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.
  33. 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.
  34. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 5:19 - 20
    Do not quench the Spirit.
  35. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 14:40
    But all things should be done decently and in order.
  36. 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.
  37. Cross References
    1 Timothy 2:11 - 12
    Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness.
  38. 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.
  39. 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.
  40. 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.
  41. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 12:31
    But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
  42. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 14:31
    For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged.
    1 Corinthians 14:33
    For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints.
  43. Cross References
    Colossians 2:5
    For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.