Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Apostles » Called by » God
PAUL, a called apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, and Sostlienes my brother,
And God has placed some in the church, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then mighty deeds; then gifts of healing; helps, governments, kinds of tongues.
Verse Concepts
ChurchAttending ChurchApostles, Function In Early ChurchAttitudes, to other peopleHealingHuman IgnoranceBeing OrganizedShepherds, As Church LeaderOrder In Pastoral CareSpiritual Gifts, Given To ChurchTeachersChristian TeachersAdministrationAnonymityPeople HelpingFirst OnesHealing Through DisciplesOther Miracles
PAUL, an apostle, (not from men, nor by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead,)
But when God, who chose me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Sou in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I at once declined all conference with flesh and blood:
Body » The body of Christ
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up what remains of my sufferings for Christ in my flesh for the sake of his body, which is the church,
For as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office, so we, the many, are one body in Christ, and members one of another. Since, then, we have gifts which differ according to the grace that is given to us, whether we have the gift of prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; read more.
or, if we have a ministry, let us be active in our ministry; if any one teaches, let him attend to his teaching; or, if any exhorts, let him attend to exhortation; if any one gives, let him do it with sincerity; he that rules, with diligence: he that shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
or, if we have a ministry, let us be active in our ministry; if any one teaches, let him attend to his teaching; or, if any exhorts, let him attend to exhortation; if any one gives, let him do it with sincerity; he that rules, with diligence: he that shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Know you not that your bodies are the members of Christ? Shall I, then, take the members of the Christ, and make them the members of a harlot? It must not be. Know you not that he that is joined to a harlot, is one body? For the two, says the scripture, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined to the Lord, is one spirit.
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the participation of the blood of the Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the participation of the body of the Christ? Because the loaf is one, we, the many, are one body, for we are all partakers of the one loaf.
For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body, so also is the Christ. For by one Spirit we all were immersed into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and we all have been made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. read more.
If the foot shall say: Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body, is it, for this reason, no part of the body? And if the ear shall say: Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body, is it, for this reason, no part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now God has placed the members, each of them, in the body, as it has pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now there are many members, but one body. The eye can not say to the hand: I have no need of you; or again, the head to the feet: I have no need of you. But much more are those members of the body necessary, which seem to be more feeble. And those members of the body, which, we think, are less honorable, around these we place the more abundant honor; and our uncomely members have the more abundant comeliness: for our comely members have no need. But God has so arranged the body, giving more abundant honor to that part which is deficient, that there may be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same anxious care, one for another; and if one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now, you are the body of Christ, and, as individuals, you are members. And God has placed some in the church, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then mighty deeds; then gifts of healing; helps, governments, kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of mighty deeds? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But seek earnestly the best gifts; and yet I show you a more excellent way.
If the foot shall say: Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body, is it, for this reason, no part of the body? And if the ear shall say: Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body, is it, for this reason, no part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now God has placed the members, each of them, in the body, as it has pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now there are many members, but one body. The eye can not say to the hand: I have no need of you; or again, the head to the feet: I have no need of you. But much more are those members of the body necessary, which seem to be more feeble. And those members of the body, which, we think, are less honorable, around these we place the more abundant honor; and our uncomely members have the more abundant comeliness: for our comely members have no need. But God has so arranged the body, giving more abundant honor to that part which is deficient, that there may be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same anxious care, one for another; and if one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now, you are the body of Christ, and, as individuals, you are members. And God has placed some in the church, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then mighty deeds; then gifts of healing; helps, governments, kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of mighty deeds? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But seek earnestly the best gifts; and yet I show you a more excellent way.
and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to ward us who believe in accordance with the energy of his mighty power, which he made active in the Christ when he raised him from the dead, and caused him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, high above every principality and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come; read more.
and subjected all things under his feet, and made him head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all his members with all things,
and subjected all things under his feet, and made him head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all his members with all things,
I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, exhort you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called; with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love, earnestly endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. read more.
There is one body and one Spirit, even as you have been called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one immersion; one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in you all. But grace has been given to each one of us, according to the measure of the gift of the Christ. For which reason, the scripture says: When he ascended on high, he led captive a multitude of captives, and gave gifts to men. But this He ascended what does it mean, but that he also descended into the lower earthly regions? He that descended is also he that ascended high above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. And he himself gave some to be apostles, and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the complete instruction of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the building up of the body of the Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to a measure of stature that fully develops the Christ; that we might no longer be children, tossed and carried about by every wind of teaching, through the artifice of men, through craftiness used by them for the deliberate planning of deceit; but speaking truthfully in love, we might grow up in all things, into him who is the head, even the Christ, from whom the whole body, compactly fitted together, and united by every helping joint, according to the energy in the measure of each part, makes increase of the body, for the building up of itself in love.
There is one body and one Spirit, even as you have been called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one immersion; one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in you all. But grace has been given to each one of us, according to the measure of the gift of the Christ. For which reason, the scripture says: When he ascended on high, he led captive a multitude of captives, and gave gifts to men. But this He ascended what does it mean, but that he also descended into the lower earthly regions? He that descended is also he that ascended high above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. And he himself gave some to be apostles, and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the complete instruction of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the building up of the body of the Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to a measure of stature that fully develops the Christ; that we might no longer be children, tossed and carried about by every wind of teaching, through the artifice of men, through craftiness used by them for the deliberate planning of deceit; but speaking truthfully in love, we might grow up in all things, into him who is the head, even the Christ, from whom the whole body, compactly fitted together, and united by every helping joint, according to the energy in the measure of each part, makes increase of the body, for the building up of itself in love.
Wives, be subject to your own husbands as to the Lord: for the husband is the head of the wife, as the Christ also is the head of the church; and he is the savior of the body. But as the church is subject to the Christ, so, also, let the wives be subject to their own husbands in every thing. read more.
Husbands, love your wives, as the Christ also loved the church, and delivered himself up for it, that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the bath of water through the word, in order that he might present it to himself a glorious church, having neither stain, nor wrinkle, nor any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their own wives as their own bodies. He that loves his wife loves himself; for no one ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Christ the church: because we are members of his body, being of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh. Great is this mystery; but I speak of Christ and of the church. But yet, let each one of you so love his wife as himself; and let the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Husbands, love your wives, as the Christ also loved the church, and delivered himself up for it, that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the bath of water through the word, in order that he might present it to himself a glorious church, having neither stain, nor wrinkle, nor any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their own wives as their own bodies. He that loves his wife loves himself; for no one ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Christ the church: because we are members of his body, being of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh. Great is this mystery; but I speak of Christ and of the church. But yet, let each one of you so love his wife as himself; and let the wife see that she reverence her husband.
And let the peace of God, to which you are called in one body, rule in your hearts, and be thankful.
Covetousness » What to covet
Cultivate love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy.
Now, you are the body of Christ, and, as individuals, you are members. And God has placed some in the church, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then mighty deeds; then gifts of healing; helps, governments, kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of mighty deeds? read more.
Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But seek earnestly the best gifts; and yet I show you a more excellent way.
Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But seek earnestly the best gifts; and yet I show you a more excellent way.
Desires » What to desire
Cultivate love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy.
Now, you are the body of Christ, and, as individuals, you are members. And God has placed some in the church, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then mighty deeds; then gifts of healing; helps, governments, kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of mighty deeds? read more.
Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But seek earnestly the best gifts; and yet I show you a more excellent way.
Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But seek earnestly the best gifts; and yet I show you a more excellent way.
as new-born babes, earnestly desire the pure spiritual milk, that you may grow by it, if; indeed, you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
Giving and gifts » Desiring spiritual gifts
Cultivate love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy.
Now, you are the body of Christ, and, as individuals, you are members. And God has placed some in the church, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then mighty deeds; then gifts of healing; helps, governments, kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of mighty deeds? read more.
Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But seek earnestly the best gifts; and yet I show you a more excellent way.
Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But seek earnestly the best gifts; and yet I show you a more excellent way.
Leaders » FALSE » Prophets in the Christian church
Now there were certain prophets and teachers in the church that was at Antioch; Barnabas, and Simeon, who is called Niger, and Lucius of Gyrene, and Manaen, who was brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
And God has placed some in the church, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then mighty deeds; then gifts of healing; helps, governments, kinds of tongues.
Verse Concepts
ChurchAttending ChurchApostles, Function In Early ChurchAttitudes, to other peopleHealingHuman IgnoranceBeing OrganizedShepherds, As Church LeaderOrder In Pastoral CareSpiritual Gifts, Given To ChurchTeachersChristian TeachersAdministrationAnonymityPeople HelpingFirst OnesHealing Through DisciplesOther Miracles
And he himself gave some to be apostles, and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge:
Miracles » Performed » Of the holy spirit
And God has placed some in the church, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then mighty deeds; then gifts of healing; helps, governments, kinds of tongues.
Verse Concepts
ChurchAttending ChurchApostles, Function In Early ChurchAttitudes, to other peopleHealingHuman IgnoranceBeing OrganizedShepherds, As Church LeaderOrder In Pastoral CareSpiritual Gifts, Given To ChurchTeachersChristian TeachersAdministrationAnonymityPeople HelpingFirst OnesHealing Through DisciplesOther Miracles
But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has already come upon you.
by the power of signs and wonders by the power of the Holy Spirit. So that from Jerusalem, and round about as far as Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of the Christ;
Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
to another, faith, by the same Spirit; to another, gifts of healing, by the same Spirit; to another, the working of mighty deeds; to another, prophecy; to another, the discerning of spirits; to another, different kinds of tongues; to another, the interpretation of tongues.
Miracles » Miraculous gifts of the holy spirit » Enumerated
And God has placed some in the church, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then mighty deeds; then gifts of healing; helps, governments, kinds of tongues.
Verse Concepts
ChurchAttending ChurchApostles, Function In Early ChurchAttitudes, to other peopleHealingHuman IgnoranceBeing OrganizedShepherds, As Church LeaderOrder In Pastoral CareSpiritual Gifts, Given To ChurchTeachersChristian TeachersAdministrationAnonymityPeople HelpingFirst OnesHealing Through DisciplesOther Miracles
For to one is given, by the Spirit, the word of wisdom; to another, the word of knowledge, by the same Spirit; to another, faith, by the same Spirit; to another, gifts of healing, by the same Spirit; to another, the working of mighty deeds; to another, prophecy; to another, the discerning of spirits; to another, different kinds of tongues; to another, the interpretation of tongues.
Prophets » Names of persons spoken of as » Prophets in the Christian church
Now there were certain prophets and teachers in the church that was at Antioch; Barnabas, and Simeon, who is called Niger, and Lucius of Gyrene, and Manaen, who was brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
And God has placed some in the church, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then mighty deeds; then gifts of healing; helps, governments, kinds of tongues.
Verse Concepts
ChurchAttending ChurchApostles, Function In Early ChurchAttitudes, to other peopleHealingHuman IgnoranceBeing OrganizedShepherds, As Church LeaderOrder In Pastoral CareSpiritual Gifts, Given To ChurchTeachersChristian TeachersAdministrationAnonymityPeople HelpingFirst OnesHealing Through DisciplesOther Miracles
And he himself gave some to be apostles, and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge:
Religious » FALSE » Prophets in the Christian church
Now there were certain prophets and teachers in the church that was at Antioch; Barnabas, and Simeon, who is called Niger, and Lucius of Gyrene, and Manaen, who was brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
And God has placed some in the church, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then mighty deeds; then gifts of healing; helps, governments, kinds of tongues.
Verse Concepts
ChurchAttending ChurchApostles, Function In Early ChurchAttitudes, to other peopleHealingHuman IgnoranceBeing OrganizedShepherds, As Church LeaderOrder In Pastoral CareSpiritual Gifts, Given To ChurchTeachersChristian TeachersAdministrationAnonymityPeople HelpingFirst OnesHealing Through DisciplesOther Miracles
And he himself gave some to be apostles, and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge:
Divine Teacher » Christian
and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass, that they met together in the church for a whole year, and taught a great multitude; and the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
Now there were certain prophets and teachers in the church that was at Antioch; Barnabas, and Simeon, who is called Niger, and Lucius of Gyrene, and Manaen, who was brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
And God has placed some in the church, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then mighty deeds; then gifts of healing; helps, governments, kinds of tongues.
Verse Concepts
ChurchAttending ChurchApostles, Function In Early ChurchAttitudes, to other peopleHealingHuman IgnoranceBeing OrganizedShepherds, As Church LeaderOrder In Pastoral CareSpiritual Gifts, Given To ChurchTeachersChristian TeachersAdministrationAnonymityPeople HelpingFirst OnesHealing Through DisciplesOther Miracles
And he himself gave some to be apostles, and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, with all boldness and without hinderance.
He was instructed in the way of the Lord; and, being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, knowing only the immersion of John.
Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching, with many others, the word of the Lord.
And he remained there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them
Tongue » Gift of
And God has placed some in the church, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then mighty deeds; then gifts of healing; helps, governments, kinds of tongues.
Verse Concepts
ChurchAttending ChurchApostles, Function In Early ChurchAttitudes, to other peopleHealingHuman IgnoranceBeing OrganizedShepherds, As Church LeaderOrder In Pastoral CareSpiritual Gifts, Given To ChurchTeachersChristian TeachersAdministrationAnonymityPeople HelpingFirst OnesHealing Through DisciplesOther Miracles
Therefore, having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from his Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this, which you now see and hear.
And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.
to another, the working of mighty deeds; to another, prophecy; to another, the discerning of spirits; to another, different kinds of tongues; to another, the interpretation of tongues.
Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
for they heard them speaking with tongues, and magnifying God. Then Peter answered:
And when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one consent in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of a rushing, violent wind, and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues like fire, which distributed them selves, and sat one on each of them. read more.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem devout Jews, from every nation under heaven. When the report of this had gone abroad, the multitude came together; and they were perplexed, for each one heard them speak in his own language. They were amazed and astonished, and said one to another: Are not all these that are speaking, Galileans? And how is it that we hear, every one in our own language in which we were born Parthians and Modes and Elamites, and we who dwell in Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya about Gyrene, Roman residents, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians we hear them speaking, in our own tongues, the wonderful works of God? And they were all in amazement and doubt, and said, one to another: What can this mean? But others deriding, said: They are full of new wine. But Peter standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and said to them: Men of Judea, and all you that dwell in Jerusalem, be this known to you, and give ear to my words. For these men are not drunk, as you suppose: for it is the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of my Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. And also on my servants and on my handmaids, I will pour out of my Spirit in those days, and they shall prophesy.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem devout Jews, from every nation under heaven. When the report of this had gone abroad, the multitude came together; and they were perplexed, for each one heard them speak in his own language. They were amazed and astonished, and said one to another: Are not all these that are speaking, Galileans? And how is it that we hear, every one in our own language in which we were born Parthians and Modes and Elamites, and we who dwell in Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya about Gyrene, Roman residents, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians we hear them speaking, in our own tongues, the wonderful works of God? And they were all in amazement and doubt, and said, one to another: What can this mean? But others deriding, said: They are full of new wine. But Peter standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and said to them: Men of Judea, and all you that dwell in Jerusalem, be this known to you, and give ear to my words. For these men are not drunk, as you suppose: for it is the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of my Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. And also on my servants and on my handmaids, I will pour out of my Spirit in those days, and they shall prophesy.
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians
And God has placed some in the church, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then mighty deeds; then gifts of healing; helps, governments, kinds of tongues.
Verse Concepts
ChurchAttending ChurchApostles, Function In Early ChurchAttitudes, to other peopleHealingHuman IgnoranceBeing OrganizedShepherds, As Church LeaderOrder In Pastoral CareSpiritual Gifts, Given To ChurchTeachersChristian TeachersAdministrationAnonymityPeople HelpingFirst OnesHealing Through DisciplesOther Miracles
Love never fails; but whether there be gifts of prophecy, they shall have an end; or tongues, they shall cease; or knowledge, it shall have an end.
to another, the working of mighty deeds; to another, prophecy; to another, the discerning of spirits; to another, different kinds of tongues; to another, the interpretation of tongues.
Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
For he that speaks in an unknown tongue, speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands him: but yet in spirit he speaks mysteries. But he that prophesies speaks to men so as to build them up, to exhort and comfort them. He that speaks in an unknown tongue, edifies himself; but he that prophesies, edifies the church. read more.
I am willing, indeed, that you should all speak in tongues, but rather that you should prophesy; for greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, in order that the church may receive instruction. Now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, in what will I profit you, unless I speak to you by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophecy, or by teaching? And even lifeless instruments, which produce sound, whether pipe or harp, unless they give a distinction in the notes, how shall that which is piped or harped be known? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle? So, also, unless you, with the tongue, utter words that are intelligible, how shall that which is spoken be known? for you will speak into the air. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without meaning. If, then, I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaks a barbarian; and he that speaks will be a barbarian to me. So, also, do you, since you greatly desire spiritual gifts, seek to excel to the building up of the church. For which reason, let him that speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, the spirit which I have prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What, then, is it? I will pray with the spirit which is given to me, and I will pray with my understanding also. I will sing with the spirit that is given to me, and I will sing with my understanding also. Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit that is given to you, how will he that occupies the place of the unlearned man say Amen, when you give thanks, since he understands not what you say? For you give thanks well, but the other is not edified. I thank God that I speak in tongues more than you all. Yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
I am willing, indeed, that you should all speak in tongues, but rather that you should prophesy; for greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, in order that the church may receive instruction. Now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, in what will I profit you, unless I speak to you by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophecy, or by teaching? And even lifeless instruments, which produce sound, whether pipe or harp, unless they give a distinction in the notes, how shall that which is piped or harped be known? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle? So, also, unless you, with the tongue, utter words that are intelligible, how shall that which is spoken be known? for you will speak into the air. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without meaning. If, then, I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaks a barbarian; and he that speaks will be a barbarian to me. So, also, do you, since you greatly desire spiritual gifts, seek to excel to the building up of the church. For which reason, let him that speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, the spirit which I have prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What, then, is it? I will pray with the spirit which is given to me, and I will pray with my understanding also. I will sing with the spirit that is given to me, and I will sing with my understanding also. Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit that is given to you, how will he that occupies the place of the unlearned man say Amen, when you give thanks, since he understands not what you say? For you give thanks well, but the other is not edified. I thank God that I speak in tongues more than you all. Yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
In the law it is written: Through men of other tongues and other lips will I speak to this people; and not even thus will they hear me, says the Lord. Therefore, tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to those who believe not: but prophecy is not for those who believe not, but for those who believe. If, then, the whole church come together into the same place, and all speak in tongues, and there come in unlearned men, or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad? read more.
But if all prophesy, and there comes in an unbeliever, or an unlearned man, he is convinced by all, he is examined by all, and the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God, and report that God is really among you. What, then, is it, brethren? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has something to teach, has an unknown tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If any speak in an unknown tongue, let two, or, at most, three, speak at each meeting, and in succession: and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church: but let him speak to himself, and to God.
But if all prophesy, and there comes in an unbeliever, or an unlearned man, he is convinced by all, he is examined by all, and the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God, and report that God is really among you. What, then, is it, brethren? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has something to teach, has an unknown tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If any speak in an unknown tongue, let two, or, at most, three, speak at each meeting, and in succession: and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church: but let him speak to himself, and to God.
Wherefore, brethren, earnestly desire to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.