1 Corinthians Chapter 14 in Simple English

Read 1 Corinthians Chapter 14

1Follow after love, and desire spiritual gifts, but most of all that you may prophesy.

2For the one who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to people, but to God. No one understands him; yet in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

3But the one who prophesies speaks to people, to build them up, to urge them on, and to comfort them.

4The one who speaks in an unknown tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

5I would like you all to speak with tongues, but I would rather you prophesied. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be built up.

6Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what good will I do you? None, unless I speak to you by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by teaching.

7Even lifeless things that make a sound, such as a pipe or a harp, must give a difference in their notes. Otherwise, how will anyone know what tune is being played on the pipe or the harp?

8For if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will get himself ready for the battle?

9So it is with you. Unless you speak words with your tongue that are easy to understand, how will anyone know what is said? You will be speaking into the air.

10There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and not one of them is without meaning.

11So if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the one who speaks, and the one who speaks will be a foreigner to me.

12So it is with you. Since you are eager for spiritual gifts, seek to have plenty of them for the building up of the church.

13So let the one who speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

14For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding bears no fruit.

15What then shall I do? 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.

16Otherwise, when you bless with the spirit, how will the one who sits in the place of the unlearned say Amen at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?

17You truly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up.

18I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than all of you.

19Yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, so that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

20Brothers and sisters, do not be children in understanding. In evil be like children, but in understanding be grown men.

21In the law it is written, "With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord."

22So tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to those who do not believe. But prophesying is not for those who do not believe; it is for those who believe.

23So if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and people come in who are unlearned or who do not believe, will they not say that you are mad?

24But if all prophesy, and someone comes in who does not believe, or someone unlearned, he is convinced by all, he is judged by all.

25And so the secrets of his heart are made plain. He will fall down on his face and worship God, and say that God is truly among you.

26What is to be done then, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let everything be done to build people up.

27If anyone speaks in an unknown tongue, let there be two, or at the most three, and each in turn; and let one interpret.

28But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the church. Let him speak to himself and to God.

29Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.

30If something is revealed to another who is sitting by, let the first one stop speaking.

31For you may all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be comforted.

32And the spirits of the prophets are under the control of the prophets.

33For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

34Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not allowed to speak. They are commanded to be under obedience, as the law also says.

35And if they want to learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home; for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

36What? Did the word of God come out from you? Or did it come to you only?

37If anyone thinks he is a prophet, or spiritual, let him recognise that the things I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

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

39So, brothers and sisters, long to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking with tongues.

40Let everything be done in a fitting way, and in order.

Explanation

1 Corinthians 14

In short

Paul compares two spiritual gifts used in church: speaking in unknown tongues and prophesying. He argues that prophecy, because others understand it, builds up the whole church, while uninterpreted tongues build up only the speaker and confuse visitors. He then sets rules for orderly worship.

Context

This letter addresses problems in the Corinthian church's worship. Earlier chapters discussed spiritual gifts. The Corinthians apparently value speaking in tongues highly and practice it often in their gatherings. Paul writes to redirect their priorities and bring order to their meetings. He is speaking to the whole church community about how they should conduct themselves when they gather.

What the text says

Paul urges the Corinthians to "desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy" (verse 1). His reasoning: someone speaking in an unknown tongue speaks only to God, not to others, and remains incomprehensible (verses 2-3). Prophecy, by contrast, speaks to people in ways they understand, offering edification, exhortation, and comfort (verse 3). Uninterpreted tongues benefit only the speaker; prophecy benefits the church (verse 4). Paul would have everyone speak in tongues, but prefers prophecy (verse 5). He illustrates with everyday examples: a musical instrument or trumpet that gives unclear sounds cannot be understood (verses 7-8). Similarly, unclear speech just goes into the air with no effect (verse 9). If Paul came speaking only in tongues without interpretation, revelation, knowledge, prophecy or teaching, he would profit them nothing (verse 6).

Paul instructs that those speaking in tongues should pray for the ability to interpret (verse 13). When praying in an unknown tongue, the spirit prays but the understanding produces nothing (verse 14). Better to pray with both spirit and understanding (verse 15). If someone blesses God in a tongue others do not understand, how can others say Amen (verse 16)? Paul himself speaks in tongues more than all of them (verse 18), yet he would rather speak five understandable words than ten thousand in an unknown tongue (verse 19).

Verses 20-25 use the Old Testament about "men of other tongues" (verse 21) to explain that tongues serve as a sign, but for unbelievers, not believers. Prophecy, conversely, serves believers. An unbeliever entering a church where everyone speaks in tongues will think they are mad (verse 23), but one hearing prophecy will be convicted and worship God (verses 24-25).

For order in worship (verses 26-40): at most two or three should speak in tongues, in turn, and with interpretation (verse 27). With no interpreter, the person must be silent (verse 28). Two or three prophets may speak, with others judging (verse 29). If something is revealed to another sitting nearby, the first must stop (verse 30). All may prophesy one by one so all learn and are comforted (verse 31). The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets themselves (verse 32). God is not the author of confusion but of peace (verse 33). Women must keep silence in churches (verse 34), and if they wish to learn, ask their husbands at home (verse 35). Verse 39 concludes the main point: "covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues." Finally, "let all things be done decently and in order" (verse 40).

Takeaways

Prophecy builds up the church assembly while uninterpreted tongues do not, making prophecy preferable in worship.
Speaking in a tongue without interpretation excludes others from understanding and benefits only the speaker.
Worship must be orderly and comprehensible so that visitors and believers are edified rather than confused.

1 Corinthians 14 - Simple English