Thematic Bible




1 Corinthians 14:1 (show verse)

Keep on pursuing love, and keep on desiring spiritual gifts, especially the ability to prophesy.

1 Corinthians 14:2 (show verse)

For the person who speaks in a foreign language is not actually speaking to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands him, because he is talking about secrets by the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 14:3 (show verse)

But the person who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding, encouragement, and comfort.

1 Corinthians 14:4 (show verse)

The person who speaks in a foreign language builds himself up, but the person who prophesies builds up the church.

1 Corinthians 14:5 (show verse)

Now I wish that all of you could speak in foreign languages, but especially that you could prophesy. The person who prophesies is more important than the person who speaks in a foreign language, unless he interprets it so that the church may be built up.

1 Corinthians 14:6 (show verse)

Indeed, brothers, if I come to you speaking in foreign languages, what good will I be to you unless I speak to you in some revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or teaching?

1 Corinthians 14:7 (show verse)

In the same way, lifeless instruments like the flute or harp produce sounds. But if there's no difference in the notes, how can a person tell what tune is being played?

1 Corinthians 14:8 (show verse)

For example, if a bugle doesn't sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?

1 Corinthians 14:9 (show verse)

In the same way, unless you speak an intelligible message with your language, how will anyone know what is being said? You'll be talking into the air!

1 Corinthians 14:10 (show verse)

There are, I suppose, many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.

1 Corinthians 14:11 (show verse)

If I don't know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker will be a foreigner to me.

1 Corinthians 14:12 (show verse)

In the same way, since you're so desirous of spiritual gifts, you must keep on desiring them for building up the church.

1 Corinthians 14:13 (show verse)

Therefore, the person who speaks in a foreign language should pray for the ability to interpret it.

1 Corinthians 14:14 (show verse)

For if I pray in a foreign language, my spirit prays but my mind is not productive.

1 Corinthians 14:15 (show verse)

What does this mean? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing psalms with my spirit, but I will also sing psalms with my mind.

1 Corinthians 14:16 (show verse)

Otherwise, if you say a blessing with your spirit, how can an otherwise uneducated person say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you're saying?

1 Corinthians 14:17 (show verse)

It's good for you to give thanks, but it does not build up the other person.

1 Corinthians 14:18 (show verse)

I thank God that I speak in foreign languages more than all of you.

1 Corinthians 14:19 (show verse)

But in church I would rather speak five words with my mind to instruct others than 10,000 words in a foreign language.

1 Corinthians 14:20 (show verse)

Brothers, stop being childish in your thinking. Be like infants with respect to evil, but think like adults.

1 Corinthians 14:21 (show verse)

In the Law it is written, "By means of foreign languages and through the mouths of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me," declares the Lord.

1 Corinthians 14:22 (show verse)

Foreign languages, then, are meant to be a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers, while prophecy is meant, not for unbelievers, but for believers.

1 Corinthians 14:23 (show verse)

Now if the whole church gathers in the same place and everyone is speaking in foreign languages, when uneducated people or unbelievers come in, they will say that you are out of your mind, won't they?

1 Corinthians 14:24 (show verse)

But if everyone is prophesying, when an unbeliever or an uneducated person comes in he will be convicted and examined by everything that's happening.

1 Corinthians 14:25 (show verse)

His secret, inner heart will become known, and so he will bow down to the ground and worship God, declaring, "God is truly among you!"

1 Corinthians 14:26 (show verse)

What, then, does this mean, brothers? When you gather, everyone has a psalm, teaching, revelation, foreign language, or interpretation. Everything must be done for upbuilding.

1 Corinthians 14:27 (show verse)

If anyone speaks in a foreign language, only two or three at the most should do so, one at a time, and somebody must interpret.

1 Corinthians 14:28 (show verse)

If an interpreter is not present, the speaker should remain silent in the church and speak to himself and God.

1 Corinthians 14:29 (show verse)

Two or three prophets should speak, and others should weigh carefully what is said.

1 Corinthians 14:30 (show verse)

If a revelation is made to another person who is seated, the first person should be silent.

1 Corinthians 14:31 (show verse)

For everyone can prophesy in turn, so that everyone can be instructed and everyone can be encouraged.

1 Corinthians 14:32 (show verse)

The spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets,

1 Corinthians 14:33 (show verse)

for God is not a God of disorder but of peace.

1 Corinthians 14:34 (show verse)

As in all the churches of the saints, the women must keep silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak out, but must place themselves in submission, as the oral law also says.

1 Corinthians 14:35 (show verse)

If they want to learn anything, they should ask their own husbands at home, for it is inappropriate for a woman to speak out in church.

1 Corinthians 14:36 (show verse)

Did God's word originate with you? Are you the only ones it has reached?

1 Corinthians 14:37 (show verse)

If anyone thinks he is a prophet or a spiritual person, he must acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command.

1 Corinthians 14:38 (show verse)

But if anyone ignores this, he should be ignored.

1 Corinthians 14:39 (show verse)

Therefore, my brothers, desire the ability to prophesy, and do not prevent others from speaking in foreign languages.

1 Corinthians 14:40 (show verse)

But everything must be done in a proper and orderly way.