📖 1 Corinthians — Chapter 14 (KJV)
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Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
1 Corinthians 14:1 RFollow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
1 Corinthians 14:2 For Rhe 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.
1 Corinthians 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to Redification, and exhortation, and comfort.
1 Corinthians 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth Redifieth the church.
1 Corinthians 14:5 I Rwould 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.
1 Corinthians 14:6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, Rwhat shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
1 Corinthians 14:7 And even Rthings 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?
1 Corinthians 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
1 Corinthians 14:9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? Rfor ye shall speak into the air.
1 Corinthians 14:10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
1 Corinthians 14:11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, RI shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
1 Corinthians 14:12 Even so ye, Rforasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
1 Corinthians 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue Rpray that he may interpret.
1 Corinthians 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, Rmy spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
1 Corinthians 14:15 RWhat 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.
1 Corinthians 14:16 Else when thou shalt Rbless 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?
1 Corinthians 14:17 For thou verily givest thanks well, Rbut the other is not edified.
1 Corinthians 14:18 RI thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
1 Corinthians 14:19 Yet Rin 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.
1 Corinthians 14:20 Brethren, be Rnot children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
1 Corinthians 14:21 In Rthe 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.
1 Corinthians 14:22 Wherefore tongues are Rfor 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.
1 Corinthians 14:23 If therefore Rthe 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?
1 Corinthians 14:24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, Rhe is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
1 Corinthians 14:25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so Rfalling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
1 Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, Revery 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.
1 Corinthians 14:27 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.
1 Corinthians 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
1 Corinthians 14:29 Let Rthe prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
1 Corinthians 14:30 If any thing be Rrevealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
1 Corinthians 14:31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that Rall may learn, and all may be comforted.
1 Corinthians 14:32 RAnd the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, Rbut of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
1 Corinthians 14:34 Let your Rwomen 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.
1 Corinthians 14:35 And if they will learn any thing, Rlet them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
1 Corinthians 14:36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
1 Corinthians 14:37 If Rany 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.
1 Corinthians 14:38 RBut if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
1 Corinthians 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, Rcovet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
1 Corinthians 14:40 RLet all things be done decently and in order.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Corinthians 14:1–12 — Gifts should build the church
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Paul contrasts tongues and prophecy in gathered worship, seeking intelligible speech that strengthens hearers rather than leaving them uninstructed.
Key Truth: Aim to build up those who hear.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Follow after ____ , and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may …” (1 Corinthians 14:1)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 14:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And even things without ____ giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a …” (1 Corinthians 14:7)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 14:7 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “Even so ye, ____ as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye …” (1 Corinthians 14:12)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 14:12 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Corinthians 14:13–25 — Understanding and conviction
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Prayer, praise, and teaching should involve understanding. Paul considers how different speech affects visitors and brings hidden things to light.
Key Truth: Communicate truth with concern for its hearers.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown ____ pray that he may interpret.” (1 Corinthians 14:13)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 14:13 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “Yet in the church I had rather speak five ____ with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach …” (1 Corinthians 14:19)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 14:19 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And thus are the secrets of his ____ made manifest; and so falling down on his face he …” (1 Corinthians 14:25)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 14:25 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Corinthians 14:26–40 — Peaceful and orderly gathering
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Paul gives instructions for orderly contributions, discernment, and conduct, concluding that all things should be done decently and in order.
Key Truth: Let shared worship express peace and thoughtful order.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “If any man speak in an unknown ____ , let it be by two, or at the most …” (1 Corinthians 14:27)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 14:27 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his ____ .” (1 Corinthians 14:30)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 14:30 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “Let all ____ be done decently and in order.” (1 Corinthians 14:40)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 14:40 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Romans 14:19 — Edification and peace also guide Paul's teaching in Romans.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How can your contribution make worship clearer and more helpful?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes 1 Corinthians 14:1–12 (Gifts should build the church) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes 1 Corinthians 14:13–25 (Understanding and conviction) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes 1 Corinthians 14:26–40 (Peaceful and orderly gathering) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. What shared purpose should govern the varied contributions when believers gather?
5. What standard qualifies the exercise of the chapter's instructions?
Notes
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