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1 Corinthians 14

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

For 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.

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

I 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.

Now, 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?

And 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?

For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

So 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.

There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

Therefore 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.

Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

What 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.

Else 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?

For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

Yet 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.

Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

In 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.

Wherefore 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.

If 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?

But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

And 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.

How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, everyone of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

If 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.

But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

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

If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

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

Let 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.

And 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.

What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

If 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.

But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

Let all things be done decently and in order.

What does 1 Corinthians 14:15 mean?

Explanation

1 Corinthians 14:15 emphasizes the importance of both spiritual and intellectual engagement in worship practices. The apostle Paul points out that prayer and singing should be done with both the spirit and with understanding.

This suggests a balance between emotional expression and intellectual comprehension.

Paul implies that the use of spiritual gifts, like speaking in tongues (which is speaking in a spiritual language, according to Christian belief), should not override the need for clarity and edification in the church.

He argues that engaging both heart and mind in worship leads to a more edifying experience for the individual and the congregation.

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Historical Context

This verse is contained within Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, written to the church in Corinth around AD 53-54.

The church was troubled with divisions, moral issues, and disorderly worship practices.

Specifically, in chapter 14, Paul is addressing issues related to the use of spiritual gifts, especially the gift of tongues, in public worship.

In the Greco-Roman world, ecstatic experiences were common in pagan worship, and some believers may have been influenced by this cultural background, emphasizing ecstatic expressions over orderly conduct and mutual edification in the church setting.

Theological Insights

The verse has given rise to various theological views:

Pentecostal and Charismatic Perspectives: These traditions may emphasize the role of the Holy Spirit ('pray with the spirit'), valuing the experiential aspect of worship.
Reformed and Evangelical Perspectives: Such groups might focus on 'pray with the understanding also', highlighting the need for intelligibility and doctrine in worship.
Liturgical Traditions: In liturgical denominations, there is often a stress on structured forms of worship that balance both spirit and understanding.

The overall theological takeaway is that Christian worship should be an experience that is both spiritually vibrant and intellectually sound.

Practical Applications

The call to pray and sing with both spirit and understanding can be applied in configuring worship services to engage both the heart and the mind.

It signals to believers the importance of being emotionally present in their relationship with God while also seeking to understand and meditate on the content of their prayers and songs.

Cross-References

Ephesians 5:19: "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;"
Colossians 3:16: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."
Acts 2:4: "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

Language Study

In the original Greek text:

"Pray" translates from "proseuchomai," which means to offer prayers, to supplicate, or engage in prayerful communication with God.
"Spirit" ("pneuma") often refers to the non-material aspect of a person, or the Holy Spirit in a Christian context.
"Understanding" ("nous") denotes the mind or intellect.

Paul's choice of words underscores his emphasis on both the internal, unseen aspects of worship (spirit) and the external, cognitive elements (understanding).

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparisons to ancient religions reveal that the practice of ecstatic speech was not unique to early Christianity. For instance, in ancient Greek religion, the oracle of Delphi is known to have delivered prophecies in an ecstatic state.

However, Paul is advocating for a practice that is distinct from pagan worship by including intelligibility and orderliness.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the balance between emotional (spirit) and cognitive (understanding) aspects in worship resonates with findings in psychology. Studies suggest that human well-being is often enhanced when there is harmony between emotional experience and cognitive processes.

Commentaries

Various Bible commentaries highlight different aspects of 1 Corinthians 14:15:

The Matthew Henry Commentary emphasizes that the gift of tongues is not as beneficial in public worship if it doesn't lead to the edification of the church and must be accompanied by understanding.
The ESV Study Bible notes discuss the importance of order in worship services and the need for everything to be done for the building up of the congregation.
The NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible speaks to the practice of glossolalia (speaking in tongues) and how it should be balanced with edifying communication
John Gill's Exposition of the Bible discusses Paul's emphasis on the use of gifts such as prophecy over speaking in tongues because it is more understandable to those listening.

1 Corinthians 14

1 Corinthians 14

What does 1 Corinthians 14:15 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated 1 Corinthians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does 1 Corinthians 14:15 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated 1 Corinthians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?