1 Corinthians 14

1 Corinthians · Chapter 14

1 Corinthians 14:26

1Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.2For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.3But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.4He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.5I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.6Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?7And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?8For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?9So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.10There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.11Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.12Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.13Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.14For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.15What 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.16Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?17For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.18I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:19Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.20Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.21In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the LORD.22Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.23If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?24But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:25And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.26How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.27If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.28But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.29Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.30If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.31For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.32And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.33For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.34Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.35And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.36What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?37If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.38But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.39Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.40Let all things be done decently and in order.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
26How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

In context

Who is speaking and to whom, what is happening, when and where, and why it matters, each with its sources. Coming with the context cards.

Original Greek words

EnglishGreekSay itStrong'sMeaning
WhatΤίTiG5101
which?

τίς (tis) τίς, neut., τί, genitive, τίνος, interrog. pron., [in LXX for מָה ,מִי ;] in masc. and fem., who, which, what?; in neut., which, what?, used both in direct and in indirect questions. I. I. As subst., 1. 1. masc., fem.: τίς; who, what?, Mat.3:7 26:68; Mrk.11:28, Luk.9:9, al. mult.; with genitive partit., Act.7:52, Heb.1:5, al; before ἐκ (= genitive partit.), Mat.6:27, Luk.14:28, Jhn.8:46; = ποῖος, Mrk.4:41 6:2, Luk.19:3, Act.17:19, al.; = πότερος (M, Pr., 77), Mat.21:31 27:17, Luk.22:27, al.; = ὅς or ὅστις (rare in cl.; cf. Bl., §50, 5; M, Pr., 93), Act.13:25. …

thenοὖνounG3767
therefore/then

οὖν (oun) οὖν, particle expressing consequence or simple sequence (never standing first in a sentence), wherefore, therefore, then: Mat.3:10, Luk.3:9, Jhn.8:38, Act.1:21, Rom.5:9, al.; in exhortations, Mat.3:8, Luk.11:35, Act.3:19, Rom.6:12, al.; in questions, Mat.13:28, Mrk.15:12, Jhn.8:[5], Rom.6:1, al.; continuing a narrative or resuming it after a digression, Mat.1:17, Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:22 2:18 (and very frequently in this Gospel), Act.26:22, al.; ἄρα οὖν (see: ἄρα); ἐπεὶ οὖν, Heb.2:14; οὖν with ptcp. (= ἐπεὶ οὖν), Act.2:30, Rom.5:1, al.; ἐὰν οὖν (where οὖν rather in sense belongs to the apodosis), …

is it,ἐστιν,estinG1510
you are

εἶ (ei) εἰμί, with various uses and significations, like the English verb to be. I. As substantive verb. 1. Of persons and things, to be, exist: Act.17:28, Jhn.1:1, 8:58, 17:5, al; ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν (for past ptcp.), Rev.1:4, 8, 4:8, 11:17, 16:5 (see Swete, Ap., 5; M, Pr., 228); τὰ (μὴ) ὄντα, Rom.4:17, 1Co.1:28. 2. Of times, events, etc., to be, happen, take place: Mat.24:3, Mrk.14:2, 15:42, Luk.21:23, Jhn.4:6, 23, 5:10, al. …

brothers?ἀδελφοί;adelphoiG0080
brother

ἀδελφός (adelphos) ἀδελφός, -οῦ, ὁ (ἀ- copul., δελφύς, womb), in cl., a brother, born of the same parent or parents. [In LXX (Hort, Ja., 102f.), for אָח ;] 1. lit. of a brother (Gen.4:2, al.). 2. Of a neighbour (Lev.19:17). 3. Of a member of the same nation (Exo.2:14, Deu.15:3). In NT in each of these senses (1. Mat.1:2, al.; 2. Mat.7:3; 3. Rom.9:3) and also, …

WhenὅτανhotanG3752
when(-ever)

ὅταν (hotan) ὅταν (for ὅτ᾽ ἄν = ὅτε ἄν), temporal particle, with a conditional sense, usually of things expected to occur in an indefinite future; 1. prop., whenever; (a) (a) with subjc. praes.: Mat.6:2, 5 Mrk.14:7, Luk.11:36, Jhn.7:27, Act.23:35, 1Co.3:4, al.; ἕως τ. ἡμέρας ἐκείνης, ὅ., Mat.26:29, Mrk.14:25; before τότε, 1Th.5:3; (b) with subjc. aor. (M, Pr., 185): Mat.5:11, Mrk.4:15, Luk.6:22, Jhn.2:10 8:28 (Field, Notes, 94), 10:4, al. …

you may come together,συνέρχησθε,sunerchēstheG4905
to assemble

συνέρχομαι (sunerchomai) συν-έρχομαι [in LXX for הָלַךְ, בּוֹא, אָסַף ni., etc. ;] 1. (cl.) to come together, assemble: Mrk.3:20 14:53, T, WH, txt., Act.1:6 2:6 10:27 16:13 19:32 21:22 22:30 28:17, 1Co.14:26; before εἰς, with accusative loc., Act.5:16; ἐπὶ τ. αὐτό, 1Co.11:20 14:23; with dative of person(s), Mrk.14:53, WH, mg., R (πρὸς αὐτόν, see Field, Notes, 40), Jhn.11:33; ἐν ἐκκλησίᾳ, 1Co.11:18; ἐνθάδε, Act.25:17; Mrk.6:33, WH, mg. (cf. WH, Intr., 95 ff.); ὅπου, Jhn.18:20; with inf., Luk.5:15; εἰς τ. φαγεῖν, 1Co.11:33; εἰς τ. ἧσσον, 1Co.11:17 11:34; of sexual intercourse (Xen., al.; γυναικί or absol.), Mat.1:18. …

eachἕκαστοςhekastosG1538
each

ἕκαστος (hekastos) 1. every, every one, each, each one , Lat. quisque, (Homer), etc.; the singular is often joined with a pl. Verb, ἔβαν οἴκονδε ἕκαστος they went home every one of them , (Iliad by Homer); ἕκαστος ἐπίστασθε (Xenophon Historicus):—;the singular is also put in apposition with a pl. Noun, Τρῶας ἕκαστον ὑπήλυθε τρόμος (for Τρώων ἕκαστον)) fear seized them every one , (Iliad by Homer) 2. in plural all and each one , (Homer) 3. more definitely, εἷς ἕκαστος, Lat. unusquisque, every single one, (Herdotus Historicus), etc.:—; καθ᾽ ἕκαστον singly, by itself , Lat. singulatim, (Plato Philosophus), etc. …

of youὑμῶνhumōnG4771
you

σέ (se) αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). 1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); (1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; …

a psalmψαλμὸνpsalmonG5568
psalm

ψαλμός (psalmos) ψαλμός, -οῦ, ὁ (ψάλλω), [in LXX chiefly for מִזְמוֹר ;] 1. a striking, twitching with the fingers (Eur., al.), hence, a striking of musical strings (Æsch., a1.), and hence in later writers, 2. a sacred song sung to musical accompaniment, a psalm (LXX): 1Co.14:26, Eph.5:19, Col.3:16; of OT psalms, Luk.24:44, Act.13:33; βίβλος ψαλμῶν, Luk.20:42, Act.1:20.† SYN.: see: ὕμνος (AS)

has,ἔχει,echeiG2192
to have/be

ἔχω (echō) ἔχω, [in LXX for אָצֵל (ἐχόμενος), יֵשׁ,בַּעַל, etc., 59 words in all ;] (on the Aktionsart of the various tenses, see M, Pr., 110, 145, 150, 183), to have, as in cl., in various senses and constructions. I. Trans.; 1. 1. to have, hold, hold fast, etc.; (a) to hold, as, in the hand: Rev.5:8 14:6, al.; ἐν τ. χειρί, Rev.1:16 10:2, al.; (b) of arms and clothing, = φέρω, φορέω, to bear, wear: Mat.3:4 22:12, al.; so frequently present ptcp. (LS, see word, A, I, 6; Bl., 74, 2), Mrk.11:13, Jhn.18:10, Rev.9:17, al.; (with) of a woman, ἐν γαστρὶ ἔ, to be with child: Mrk.13:17, Rom.9:10; …

a teachingδιδαχὴνdidachēnG1322
teaching

διδαχή (didachē) διδαχή, -ῆς, ἡ (διδάσκω), [in LXX: Psa.60:1-12 title. (לָמַד pi.); Sm.: Deu.33:8 * ;] 1. objectively, teaching, doctrine, that which is taught: Mrk.1:27, Jhn.7:16, Act.17:19, Rom.6:7 16:17, 2Jn.10, Rev.2:24; with genitive poss., Mat.7:28 16:12 22:33, Mrk.1:22 11:18, Luk.4:32, Jhn.18:19, Act.5:28, Rev.2:14-15; ἡ δ., of Christ, Jhn.7:17, Act.13:12, 2Jn.9; of. τὴν δ., Tit.1:9; with genitive obj., βαπτισμῶν δ., Heb.6:2; pl., Heb.13:9. …

has,ἔχει,echeiG2192
to have/be

ἔχω (echō) ἔχω, [in LXX for אָצֵל (ἐχόμενος), יֵשׁ,בַּעַל, etc., 59 words in all ;] (on the Aktionsart of the various tenses, see M, Pr., 110, 145, 150, 183), to have, as in cl., in various senses and constructions. I. Trans.; 1. 1. to have, hold, hold fast, etc.; (a) to hold, as, in the hand: Rev.5:8 14:6, al.; ἐν τ. χειρί, Rev.1:16 10:2, al.; (b) of arms and clothing, = φέρω, φορέω, to bear, wear: Mat.3:4 22:12, al.; so frequently present ptcp. (LS, see word, A, I, 6; Bl., 74, 2), Mrk.11:13, Jhn.18:10, Rev.9:17, al.; (with) of a woman, ἐν γαστρὶ ἔ, to be with child: Mrk.13:17, Rom.9:10; …

a revelationἀποκάλυψινapokalupsinG0602
revelation

ἀποκάλυψις (apokalupsis) ἀπο-κάλυψις, -εως, ἡ (ἀποκαλύπτω), [in LXX: 1Ki.20:30 (עֶרְוָה), Sir.11:27 22:22 42:1 * ;] an uncovering, laying bare (Plut.). Metaphorical, a reveal­ing, revelation: a disclosure of divine truth, or a manifestion from God: Luk.2:32 Rom.2:5 8:19 16:25, 1Co.1:7 14:6 14:26, 2Co.12:1 12:7, Gal.1:12 2:2, Eph.1:17 3:3 2Th.1:7 1Pe.1:7 1:13 4:13, Rev.1:1.† SYN.: ἐπιφάνεια, παρουσία, φανέρωσις (see Tr., Syn., xciv; Lft., Notes, 102, 178; Westc, Eph., 178 f.; M, Th., 145 ff.; Cremer, 343) (AS)

has,ἔχει,echeiG2192
to have/be

ἔχω (echō) ἔχω, [in LXX for אָצֵל (ἐχόμενος), יֵשׁ,בַּעַל, etc., 59 words in all ;] (on the Aktionsart of the various tenses, see M, Pr., 110, 145, 150, 183), to have, as in cl., in various senses and constructions. I. Trans.; 1. 1. to have, hold, hold fast, etc.; (a) to hold, as, in the hand: Rev.5:8 14:6, al.; ἐν τ. χειρί, Rev.1:16 10:2, al.; (b) of arms and clothing, = φέρω, φορέω, to bear, wear: Mat.3:4 22:12, al.; so frequently present ptcp. (LS, see word, A, I, 6; Bl., 74, 2), Mrk.11:13, Jhn.18:10, Rev.9:17, al.; (with) of a woman, ἐν γαστρὶ ἔ, to be with child: Mrk.13:17, Rom.9:10; …

a tongueγλῶσσανglōssanG1100
tongue

γλῶσσα (glōssa) γλῶσσα, -ης, ἡ, [in LXX chiefly for לָשׁוֹן ;] 1. the tongue, as the organ of speech: Mrk.7:33, 35 Luk.1:64 16:24, Act.2:26" (LXX), Rom.3:13 (LXX) 14:11 (LXX), 1Co.14:9, Php.2:11, Jas.1:26 3:5, 6 8, 1Pe.3:10" (LXX), 1Jo.3:18, Rev.16:10; of a tongue-like object, Act.2:3. …

has,ἔχει,echeiG2192
to have/be

ἔχω (echō) ἔχω, [in LXX for אָצֵל (ἐχόμενος), יֵשׁ,בַּעַל, etc., 59 words in all ;] (on the Aktionsart of the various tenses, see M, Pr., 110, 145, 150, 183), to have, as in cl., in various senses and constructions. I. Trans.; 1. 1. to have, hold, hold fast, etc.; (a) to hold, as, in the hand: Rev.5:8 14:6, al.; ἐν τ. χειρί, Rev.1:16 10:2, al.; (b) of arms and clothing, = φέρω, φορέω, to bear, wear: Mat.3:4 22:12, al.; so frequently present ptcp. (LS, see word, A, I, 6; Bl., 74, 2), Mrk.11:13, Jhn.18:10, Rev.9:17, al.; (with) of a woman, ἐν γαστρὶ ἔ, to be with child: Mrk.13:17, Rom.9:10; …

an interpretationἑρμηνείανhermēneianG2058
interpretation

ἑρμηνεία (hermēneia) ἑρμηνεία, see: ἑρμηνία. ἑρμηνία (T, cl., -εία), -ας, ἡ, (ἑρμηνεύω), [in LXX (-εία), Sir, prol. 14 Sir.47:17, from LXX Sir.5:1 * ;] interpretation: 1Co.12:10 14:26.† (AS)

has;ἔχει·echeiG2192
to have/be

ἔχω (echō) ἔχω, [in LXX for אָצֵל (ἐχόμενος), יֵשׁ,בַּעַל, etc., 59 words in all ;] (on the Aktionsart of the various tenses, see M, Pr., 110, 145, 150, 183), to have, as in cl., in various senses and constructions. I. Trans.; 1. 1. to have, hold, hold fast, etc.; (a) to hold, as, in the hand: Rev.5:8 14:6, al.; ἐν τ. χειρί, Rev.1:16 10:2, al.; (b) of arms and clothing, = φέρω, φορέω, to bear, wear: Mat.3:4 22:12, al.; so frequently present ptcp. (LS, see word, A, I, 6; Bl., 74, 2), Mrk.11:13, Jhn.18:10, Rev.9:17, al.; (with) of a woman, ἐν γαστρὶ ἔ, to be with child: Mrk.13:17, Rom.9:10; …

All thingsπάνταpantaG3956
all

πᾶς (pas) πᾶς, πᾶσα, πᾶν, genitive, παντός, πάσης, παντός, [in LXX chiefly for כֹּל ;] all, every. I. As adj., 1. with subst. anarth., all, every, of every kind: Mat.3:10 4:23, Mrk.9:49, Luk.4:37, Jhn.2:1o, Act.27:20, Rom.7:8, Rev.18:17, al. mult.; pl., all, Act.22:15, Rom.5:12, Heb.1:6, al.; of the highest degree, π. ἐξουσία (προθυμία, χαρά), Mat.28:18, Act.17:11, Phi 2:29, al.; also the whole (though in this sense more frequently with art.), Mat.2:3, Act.2:36, Rom.11:26. …

forπρὸςprosG4314
to/with

πρός (pros) πρός, prep. with genitive, dative, accusative I. I. C. genitive, of motion from a place, from the side of, hence metaphorically, in the interests of, Act.27:34 (cf. Page, in l.). II. II. C. dative, of local proximity, hard by, near, at: Mrk.5:11, Luk.19:37, Jhn.18:16 20:11, 12 Rev.1:13. III. C. accusative, of motion or direction towards a place or object, to, towards. 1. Of place, …

edificationοἰκοδομὴνoikodomēnG3619
building

οἰκοδομή (oikodomē) οἰκοδομή, -ῆς, ἡ (οἶκος, + δέμω, to build), [in LXX: 1Ch.29:1 A (בִּירָה), Eze.17:17 40:2 (בָּנָה, מִבְנֶה), Sir.22:16 40:19, al. ;] = cl. οἰκοδομία (which see), -δόμησις (Thuc., Plat.), 1. the act of building; in NT always metaphorically, building up, edifying: Rom.14:19 15:2, 1Co.14:26, 2Co.10:8 13:10, Eph.4:29; with genitive obj., 1Co.14:12, 2Co.12:19, Eph.4:12, 16; λαλεῖν, λαβεῖν, οἰ., 1Co.14:3. 2. = οἰκοδόμημα, a building: Mat.24:1, Mrk.13:1-2; metaphorically, 1Co.3:9, 2Co.5:1, Eph.2:21.† (AS)

should be.γινέσθω.ginesthōG1096
to be

γίνομαι (ginomai) γίνομαι, Ion. and κοινή for Att. γίγν- (M. Pr., 47; Bl., §6, 8 Mayser, 166 f.), [in LXX chiefly for היה ;] 1. of persons, things occurrences, to come into being, be born, arise, come on: Jhn.1:15 8:58, 1Co.15:37; a first appearance in public, Mrk.1:4, Jhn.1:6, al.; before ἐκ (of birth), Rom.1:3, Gal.4:4; διά, Jhn.1:3; βροντή, Jhn.12:29; σεισμός, Rev.6:12; γογγυσμός, Act.6:1; χαρά, Act.8:8, many other similar exx.; ἡμέρα, Luk.22:66, al.; ὀψέ, Mrk.11:19; πρωΐα, Mat.27:1; νύξ, Act.27:27. …

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.