CHAPTER 14
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts,
but rather that ye may prophesy. 2 For he that speaketh in an unknown
tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandetha
him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3 But he
that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and
comfort. 4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth
himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5 †
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.
6 † 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? 7
And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they
give a distinction in the soundsb, how shall it be known what is piped
or harped? 8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who
shall prepare himself to the battle? 9 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. 10 † There are, it
may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is
without signification. 11 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. 12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are
zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of
the church. 13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown
tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in an unknown
tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 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. 16 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? 17
For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. 18
I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19 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. 20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in
malice be ye children, but in understanding be menc.
21 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. 22 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. 23 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? 24 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: 25 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.
26 How 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. 27 If any man
speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by twod, or at the most by
three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But
if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him
speak to himself, and to God. 29 † Let the prophets speak
two or three, and let the other judge. 30 If any thing be
revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31
For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be
comforted. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the
prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusione,
but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
34 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. 35 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.
36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto
you only? 37 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. 38 But if any man be ignorant, let him
be ignorant. 39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid
not to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and
in order.
The
Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems,
Inc.
a understandeth:
Gr. heareth
† A
Greek word occurs that is not directly translated in the King James Version.
b sounds:
or, tunes
† A
Greek word occurs that is not directly translated in the King James Version.
c men:
Gr. perfect, or, of a ripe age
d two...:
by two or three sentences separately
† A
Greek word occurs that is not directly translated in the King James Version.
e confusion:
Gr. tumult, or, unquietness
COMMENTARIES:
A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible
The People’s New Testament
A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
