New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
1 Corinthians 14
1
Follow the way of love. You should also want the gifts the Holy Spirit gives. Most of all, you should want the gift of prophecy.
Reference
Love
1 Corinthians 16:14
1 Corinthians 13:13
Proverbs 15:9
Parallel theme
Hebrews 12:14
Isaiah 51:1
Prophecy
1 Corinthians 14:39
1 Timothy 4:14
1 Thessalonians 5:20
Spirit
1 Corinthians 12:1
1 Corinthians 14:37
2
Anyone who speaks in a language he had not known before doesn't speak to people. He speaks only to God. In fact, no one understands that person. What he says with his spirit remains a mystery.
Reference
Parallel theme
Mark 16:17
1 Corinthians 13:2
References God
Acts 10:46
Spirit
Acts 19:6
1 Corinthians 2:10
3
But anyone who prophesies speaks to people. He says things to make them stronger, to give them hope and to comfort them.
Reference
4
Those who speak in other languages build themselves up. But those who prophesy build up the church.
Reference
5
I would like all of you to speak in other languages. But I would rather have you prophesy. Those who prophesy are more helpful than those who speak in other languages. But that is not the case if those who speak in other languages explain what they have said. Then the whole church can be built up.
Reference
6
Brothers and sisters, suppose I were to come to you and speak in other languages. What good would I be to you? None! I would need to come with new truth or knowledge, or a prophecy or a teaching.
Reference
7
Here are some examples. Certain objects make sounds. Take a flute or a harp. No one will know what the tune is unless different notes are played.
9
It's the same with you. You must speak words that people understand. If you don't, no one will know what you are saying. You will just be speaking into the air.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Corinthians 9:26
10
It is true that there are all kinds of languages in the world. And they all have meaning.
11
But if I don't understand what someone is saying, I am a stranger to that person. And that person is a stranger to me.
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 28:2
12
It's the same with you. You want to have gifts of the Spirit. So try to do your best in using gifts that build up the church.
Reference
13
For that reason, those who speak in languages they had not known before should pray that they can explain what they say.
Reference
14
If I pray in another language, my spirit prays. But my mind does not pray.
Reference
Spirit
1 Corinthians 14:2
15
So what should I do? I will pray with my spirit. But I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit. But I will also sing with my mind.
Reference
16
Suppose you are praising God with your spirit. And suppose there are visitors among you who don't understand what's going on. How can they say "Amen" when you give thanks? They don't know what you are saying.
Reference
Blessing
Psalm 106:48
1 Chronicles 16:36
Revelation 7:12
Nehemiah 8:6
Parallel theme
Revelation 5:14
Jeremiah 28:6
1 Corinthians 11:24
Numbers 5:22
17
You might be giving thanks well enough. But the others are not being built up.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Corinthians 14:4
18
I thank God that I speak in other languages more than all of you do.
19
But in the church I would rather speak five words that people can understand than 10,000 words in another language. Then I would be teaching others.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Corinthians 14:4
20
Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. Be like babies as far as evil is concerned. But be grown up in your thinking.
Reference
21
In the Law it is written, "Through people who speak unfamiliar languages and through the lips of strangers I will speak to these people. But even then they will not listen to me." --(Isaiah 28:11,12) That is what the Lord says.
Reference
22
So speaking in other languages is a sign for those who don't believe. It is not a sign for those who do believe. But prophecy is for believers. It is not for those who don't believe.
Reference
Faith
Mark 16:17
23
Suppose the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in other languages. And suppose visitors or unbelievers come in. Won't they say you are out of your minds?
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 2:13
24
But suppose unbelievers or visitors come in while everyone is prophesying. Then they will be shown by all who speak that they are sinners. They will be judged by all.
25
The secrets of their hearts will be brought out into the open. They will fall down and worship God. They will exclaim, "God is really here among you!"
Reference
26
Brothers and sisters, what should we say then? When you come together, every one of you brings something. You bring a hymn or a teaching or a word from God. You bring a message in another language or explain what was said. All of those things must be done to make the church strong.
Reference
27
No more than two or three people should speak in another language. And they should speak one at a time. Then someone must explain what was said.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Corinthians 14:26
28
If there is no one to explain, the speakers should keep quiet in the church. They can speak to themselves and to God.
29
Only two or three prophets are supposed to speak. Others should decide if what is being said is true.
Reference
Prophecy
1 Corinthians 12:10
30
What if a message from God comes to someone else who is sitting there? Then the one who is speaking should stop.
Reference
Parallel theme
Job 32:11
31
Those who prophesy can all take turns. In that way, everyone can be taught and be given hope.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Thessalonians 5:14
32
Those who prophesy should control their speaking.
Reference
Spirit
1 John 4:1
33
God is not a God of disorder. He is a God of peace. As in all the churches of God's people,
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Corinthians 14:40
1 Corinthians 4:17
Peace
2 Thessalonians 3:16
Galatians 5:22
Hebrews 13:20
Romans 15:33
1 Corinthians 7:15
Luke 2:14
References God
1 Corinthians 11:16
1 Corinthians 7:17
34
women should remain silent in the meetings. They are not allowed to speak. They must follow the lead of those who are in authority, as the Law says.
Reference
35
If they have a question about something, they should ask their own husbands at home. It is shameful for women to speak in church meetings.
Reference
Parallel theme
Ephesians 5:12
36
Did the word of God begin with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?
37
Suppose some think they are prophets or have gifts of the Holy Spirit. They should agree that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command.
Reference
39
Brothers and sisters, you should want to prophesy. And don't stop people from speaking in languages they had not known before.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Corinthians 12:31
1 Corinthians 14:5
1 Corinthians 14:3
Prophecy
1 Corinthians 14:1
1 Thessalonians 5:20
Summary of 1 Corinthians 14
1 Corinthians 14 explains that spiritual gifts must be used in a way that helps people understand, grow, and participate, so Paul places prophecy and clear teaching above unintelligible speech during public worship while insisting that spiritual freedom must always be balanced with order, self-control, and concern for the whole church.
Paul does not reject speaking in languages or other spiritual gifts, but he argues that a message nobody understands cannot strengthen the gathered church unless it is interpreted, whereas understandable prophecy can teach, encourage, correct, and even lead an unbeliever to recognize God's presence.
Using examples from music and military trumpets, Paul shows that communication requires recognizable meaning, because an instrument that produces random sounds cannot guide musicians and a trumpet that gives an unclear signal cannot prepare soldiers for action.
Paul therefore encourages believers to worship with both spiritual devotion and understanding, explaining that prayer, singing, teaching, prophecy, and other contributions should be meaningful to the entire congregation rather than becoming private experiences performed publicly.
The chapter also establishes practical rules for worship, including limiting the number of people speaking in languages or prophesying, requiring interpretation where necessary, allowing others to evaluate prophetic messages, and ensuring that speakers give one another room to contribute, because God is a God of peace and order rather than confusion.
Paul's instructions concerning women in verses 34–35 are among the most debated passages in the chapter, particularly because earlier in the letter he refers to women praying and prophesying, so Christians have interpreted these verses differently according to their understanding of the cultural situation, the meaning of "silence," and the specific problem Paul was correcting.
The chapter closes by emphasizing that Christians should desire spiritual gifts without allowing those gifts to create disorder, because genuine Christian worship should combine spiritual freedom with understandable communication, thoughtful participation, self-control, peace, and the building up of the entire church.
The central message of 1 Corinthians 14 is that spiritual gifts are valuable only when they are used in a way that helps other people, meaning that Christian worship should never become a competition for attention or a display of impressive spiritual experiences that leaves the congregation confused.
Paul's strongest concern is understandability.
If someone speaks in a language that nobody understands and there is no interpretation, the speaker may be experiencing something meaningful personally, but the rest of the church cannot benefit from it.
Prophecy, teaching, and understandable communication are therefore especially valuable during public worship because they allow people to learn, receive encouragement, recognize wrongdoing, and grow in faith.
The chapter also teaches that spiritual inspiration does not eliminate self-control.
A person who receives a spiritual gift is still responsible for deciding when and how to use it.
No one should interrupt constantly, dominate the meeting, or create confusion simply because they believe they have received a spiritual message.
The goal is always to build up the church.
Paul's final principle provides a simple standard for Christian gatherings: everything should be done properly and orderly, not because worship should become cold or rigid, but because good order allows more people to participate, understand, learn, and be encouraged.
The chapter therefore connects directly with chapter 13: love must control the use of spiritual gifts, because love does not ask, "How can I make myself look spiritual?" but rather, "How can what God has given me help the people around me?"
In this way, 1 Corinthians 14 teaches that Christian freedom should produce useful service, spiritual gifts should produce growth, and worship should produce peace and understanding rather than confusion and competition.
Paul does not reject speaking in languages or other spiritual gifts, but he argues that a message nobody understands cannot strengthen the gathered church unless it is interpreted, whereas understandable prophecy can teach, encourage, correct, and even lead an unbeliever to recognize God's presence.
Using examples from music and military trumpets, Paul shows that communication requires recognizable meaning, because an instrument that produces random sounds cannot guide musicians and a trumpet that gives an unclear signal cannot prepare soldiers for action.
Paul therefore encourages believers to worship with both spiritual devotion and understanding, explaining that prayer, singing, teaching, prophecy, and other contributions should be meaningful to the entire congregation rather than becoming private experiences performed publicly.
The chapter also establishes practical rules for worship, including limiting the number of people speaking in languages or prophesying, requiring interpretation where necessary, allowing others to evaluate prophetic messages, and ensuring that speakers give one another room to contribute, because God is a God of peace and order rather than confusion.
Paul's instructions concerning women in verses 34–35 are among the most debated passages in the chapter, particularly because earlier in the letter he refers to women praying and prophesying, so Christians have interpreted these verses differently according to their understanding of the cultural situation, the meaning of "silence," and the specific problem Paul was correcting.
The chapter closes by emphasizing that Christians should desire spiritual gifts without allowing those gifts to create disorder, because genuine Christian worship should combine spiritual freedom with understandable communication, thoughtful participation, self-control, peace, and the building up of the entire church.
The central message of 1 Corinthians 14 is that spiritual gifts are valuable only when they are used in a way that helps other people, meaning that Christian worship should never become a competition for attention or a display of impressive spiritual experiences that leaves the congregation confused.
Paul's strongest concern is understandability.
If someone speaks in a language that nobody understands and there is no interpretation, the speaker may be experiencing something meaningful personally, but the rest of the church cannot benefit from it.
Prophecy, teaching, and understandable communication are therefore especially valuable during public worship because they allow people to learn, receive encouragement, recognize wrongdoing, and grow in faith.
The chapter also teaches that spiritual inspiration does not eliminate self-control.
A person who receives a spiritual gift is still responsible for deciding when and how to use it.
No one should interrupt constantly, dominate the meeting, or create confusion simply because they believe they have received a spiritual message.
The goal is always to build up the church.
Paul's final principle provides a simple standard for Christian gatherings: everything should be done properly and orderly, not because worship should become cold or rigid, but because good order allows more people to participate, understand, learn, and be encouraged.
The chapter therefore connects directly with chapter 13: love must control the use of spiritual gifts, because love does not ask, "How can I make myself look spiritual?" but rather, "How can what God has given me help the people around me?"
In this way, 1 Corinthians 14 teaches that Christian freedom should produce useful service, spiritual gifts should produce growth, and worship should produce peace and understanding rather than confusion and competition.