Thematic Bible

Themes in 1 Corinthians 14

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Themes in 1 Corinthians 14

1 Corinthians 14:1 (show verse)

You should make loving [others] your aim, yet eagerly desire [to possess] spiritual gifts, and especially [the gift of] prophecy.

Ambition » Ambition, worldly, examples of » Holy ambition, general references to
Charity » Following after charity
Covetousness » What to covet
Desires » What to desire
Following » What to follow after
Giving and gifts » Desiring spiritual gifts
Holy » General references to » Ambition
Love to man » Saints should » Follow after
Miracles » Miraculous gifts of the holy spirit » To be sought after
Miraculous gifts of the holy ghost » Enumerated
Miraculous gifts of the holy ghost » Were to be sought after
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Prophecy and prophets » Those that prophesy
Tongues » Those that speak in an unknown tongue
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying

1 Corinthians 14:2 (show verse)

For the person who speaks in a language [supernaturally] does not speak to people, but to God, for no one can understand him [i.e., unless there is an interpreter or it is the person's native language]; he speaks [previously] unrevealed truths under the influence of the Holy Spirit [or "in his spirit"]. [Note: For a correct understanding of this chapter, it must be kept in mind that Paul is addressing a misuse ofthe gift of speaking in languages supernaturally. The Corinthians were doing this in the wrong way and for the wrong purpose].

Language » Power of speaking different » Sometimes abused
Mystery » Who speaks mysteries
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Prophecy and prophets » Those that prophesy
Tongues » Those that speak in an unknown tongue
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians

1 Corinthians 14:3 (show verse)

But the person who prophesies speaks [God's message] to people to build them up [spiritually], encourage them and comfort them.

Comfort » The duty of administering
Consolation under Affliction » By ministers of the gospel
Edification » Is the object of » Ministerial gifts
Language » Power of speaking different » Sometimes abused
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Prophecy and prophets » Those that prophesy
Tongues » Those that speak in an unknown tongue
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians

1 Corinthians 14:4 (show verse)

The person who speaks in a language [supernaturally], builds up [only] himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

Church » Is edified by the word
The church » Is edified by the word
Edification » Is the object of » Ministerial gifts
Language » Power of speaking different » Sometimes abused
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Prophecy and prophets » Those that prophesy
Tongues » Those that speak in an unknown tongue
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians

1 Corinthians 14:5 (show verse)

Now I would like all of you to speak in languages [supernaturally], but I would rather have you prophecy. For the person who prophesies is more important [i.e., to the church] than those who speak in languages [supernaturally], unless that person interprets [the languages], so the church can be built up [spiritually].

Edification » Is the object of » Ministerial gifts
Interpreter » In congregations
Language » Interpretation of » Most important in the early church
Language » Power of speaking different » Sometimes abused
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Prophecy and prophets » Those that prophesy
Tongues » Gift of
Tongues » Those that speak in an unknown tongue
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians

1 Corinthians 14:6 (show verse)

But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in languages [supernaturally], how will I benefit you unless my speaking consists of a revelation [from God], or a [message of] knowledge [See 12:8], or a prophecy, or a teaching? [i.e., the message must be intelligible to be beneficial].

Language » Power of speaking different » Sometimes abused
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians

1 Corinthians 14:7 (show verse)

[This is true] even of inanimate objects which make sounds, such as a flute or harp. If they do not make distinguishable sounds, how will anyone know what tune [or signal] is being played?

Harp » Discordant
Language » Power of speaking different » Sometimes abused
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians

1 Corinthians 14:8 (show verse)

For if the trumpet gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for a battle?

Language » Power of speaking different » Sometimes abused
Music » The movements of armies regulated by
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians
Trumpet » Used in war
Trumpet » Required to give an intelligible and understood sound

1 Corinthians 14:9 (show verse)

So, unless you people also speak clearly with your tongue, how will your speaking be understood? For it will be like you were speaking into the air.

Interpretation » Of foreign tongues
Language » Power of speaking different » Sometimes abused
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians
Words » Of the teacher, should be plain

1 Corinthians 14:10 (show verse)

There are, no doubt, many kinds of sounds [i.e., languages] in the world, and none of them is meaningless.

Interpretation » Of foreign tongues
Language » Power of speaking different » Sometimes abused
Language » Great variety of, spoken by men
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians

1 Corinthians 14:11 (show verse)

So, if I do not know the meaning of the sound [i.e., language], I will [appear] as a foreigner to the person speaking [that language to me]. And the person speaking [to me] will [appear] as a foreigner to me.

Interpretation » Of foreign tongues
Language » Power of speaking different » Sometimes abused
Language » The term barbarian applied to those who spoke a strange
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians

1 Corinthians 14:12 (show verse)

So, you people also, since you are eager for [supernatural] spiritual gifts, should look for ways to excel in building up the church.

Ambition » Ambition, worldly, examples of » Holy ambition, general references to
Edification » Is the object of » Ministerial gifts
Fervour » Commands concerning
Holy » General references to » Ambition
Interpretation » Of foreign tongues
Language » Power of speaking different » Sometimes abused
Miracles » Miraculous gifts of the holy spirit » For the edification of the assembly
Miraculous gifts of the holy ghost » Communicated » For the edification of the church
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians
Zeal » The Call of Duty » Encouraged
Zeal » Holy--exemplified » Corinthians

1 Corinthians 14:13 (show verse)

Therefore, the person who speaks in a language [supernaturally] should pray [i.e., in advance] for the ability to interpret it [as well].

Church » Is edified by the word
The church » Is edified by the word
Interpretation » Of foreign tongues
Interpreter » In congregations
Language » Interpretation of » Most important in the early church
Miracles » Miraculous gifts of the holy spirit » For the edification of the assembly
Miraculous gifts of the holy ghost » Communicated » For the edification of the church
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians

1 Corinthians 14:14 (show verse)

For if I pray in a language [supernaturally], [it is] my spirit that is praying, but my mind does not understand [what I am saying]. [Note: Here Paul raises an objection to the use of a language without the person knowing what he is saying].

Interpretation » Of foreign tongues
public Prayer » Should not be made in an unknown language
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians

1 Corinthians 14:15 (show verse)

What should I do then? I will pray with my spirit [i.e. from within], and I will pray with my understanding also [i.e., with a knowledge of what I am saying]. I will sing with my spirit, and I will sing with my understanding also.

Interpretation » Of foreign tongues
Spiritual life » Should animate the services of saints
Music » Youthful » Singing » A religious duty
Praise » Should be offered » With the understanding
Prayer » Should be offered up » With the spirit and understanding
public Prayer » Should not be made in an unknown language
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Singing » A religious duty
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians

1 Corinthians 14:16 (show verse)

For if you [ask God to] bless with your spirit [i.e., in a language supernaturally], how will the person there, who does not have the gift [i.e., of interpreting the language] be able to say, "May it be so," when you offer [a prayer of] thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

Amen » Used in prayer
Interpretation » Of foreign tongues
public Prayer » Should not be made in an unknown language
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians

1 Corinthians 14:17 (show verse)

For [though] you truly offer thanksgiving acceptably, the other person is not built up.

Interpretation » Of foreign tongues
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians

1 Corinthians 14:18 (show verse)

I thank God that I speak in languages [i.e., supernaturally] more than all of you.

Apostles » Miraculous power given to
Interpretation » Of foreign tongues
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians

1 Corinthians 14:19 (show verse)

However, in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my understanding, so that I can instruct other people also, than to speak ten thousand words in a language [that people do not understand].

Church » Called church in the n. T. (K. J. V.), But congregation earlier in tyndale's translation
Interpretation » Of foreign tongues
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians
Words » Of the teacher, should be plain

1 Corinthians 14:20 (show verse)

Brothers, do not be children in the way you think, but be babies in wrongdoing; yet be mature in your thinking.

Children » Figurative
spiritual Immaturity » Inability to receive strong doctrine
Malice » Condemned
Malice » Forbidden
Maturity, spiritual » By cultivating the understanding
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Righteous » Compared with » Little children
compared to Saints » Little children
Simplicity » Childlikeness an essential element in the Christian life
Simplicity » Should be exhibited » Concerning malice
Spiritual » Immaturity » Inability to receive strong doctrine
Spiritual » Maturity how secured » By cultivating the understanding
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying

1 Corinthians 14:21 (show verse)

It is written in the law [Isa. 28:11f], "I [i.e., God] will speak to these people [i.e., the Israelites] by men with foreign languages and through the lips of strangers, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord."

Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians

1 Corinthians 14:22 (show verse)

Therefore, languages [i.e., spoken supernaturally] are for a [miraculous] sign to unbelievers, not to believers. But prophesying is for a [miraculous] sign to believers, not to unbelievers.

Language » Power of speaking different » A sign to unbelievers
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Prophecy and prophets » Who prophesying serves
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Tongues » What tongues are for
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians
Unbelief » Miracles designed to convince those in

1 Corinthians 14:23 (show verse)

Therefore, if the whole church assembles together and everyone speaks in languages [i.e., supernaturally], and outsiders [i.e., people who do not understand the language being spoken] or unbelievers come [into the assembly], will they not say that you people are crazy?

Church » For other leaders » Order
Church » Called church in the n. T. (K. J. V.), But congregation earlier in tyndale's translation
Language » Power of speaking different » Sometimes abused
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians

1 Corinthians 14:24 (show verse)

But if everyone prophesies and someone comes [into the assembly] who is an outsider or an unbeliever, he will be convicted [of his sins] by everyone [i.e., who speaks the message in an intelligible language], and judged by everyone.

Prophecy and prophets » The reward for prophesying
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians

1 Corinthians 14:25 (show verse)

The secrets of his heart will be revealed so that he will fall [to the ground] on his face and worship God, declaring that God is truly among you.

Holy spirit » As dwelling in saints
Prophecy and prophets » The reward for prophesying
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians

1 Corinthians 14:26 (show verse)

So, what is the conclusion, brothers? When you people assemble together, each one of you has a psalm [to sing], or a lesson [to teach], or a [supernatural] revelation [to give], or a language [to speak supernaturally], or an interpretation [of that language]. Everything that is done should be for the building up [of the church].

Interpreter » In congregations
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians

1 Corinthians 14:27 (show verse)

If any person speaks in a language [supernaturally], there should be [only] two, or at most three people [doing it in one meeting], and they should take turns. And [only] one person should interpret [the language spoken].

Interpreter » In congregations
Language » Interpretation of » Most important in the early church
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians

1 Corinthians 14:28 (show verse)

But if there is no interpreter present [at the meeting], the person [i.e., with the ability to speak a language supernaturally] should remain quiet in the assembly. [Note: This implies that the speaker would know before he begins speaking whether or not an interpreter is present]. [In that case], he should speak [only] to himself and to God. [See verse 2].

Church » Called church in the n. T. (K. J. V.), But congregation earlier in tyndale's translation
Interpreter » In congregations
Language » Interpretation of » Most important in the early church
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians

1 Corinthians 14:29 (show verse)

And [only] two or three prophets should speak [in one meeting], and [then] other people should determine the significance [of their messages].

Leaders » FALSE » Prophets in the Christian church
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Prophets » Names of persons spoken of as » Prophets in the Christian church
Religious » FALSE » Prophets in the Christian church
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying

1 Corinthians 14:30 (show verse)

But if something is revealed [supernaturally, at about the same time] to another person sitting nearby, the first one should finish speaking [i.e., before the second one begins].

Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying

1 Corinthians 14:31 (show verse)

For all of you [i.e., who have the gifts], can prophesy, one at a time, so that all of you may learn and be encouraged.

Comfort » The duty of administering
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying

1 Corinthians 14:32 (show verse)

And the prophets' spirits are [to be] under the prophets' control [i.e., a prophet was to determine if or when he exercised his gift],

Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying

1 Corinthians 14:33 (show verse)

because God is not a God of disorder but of peace [i.e., harmony]. As is the practice in all of the churches of the saints [i.e., God's holy people],

Church » Called church in the n. T. (K. J. V.), But congregation earlier in tyndale's translation
Confusion » God not being the author of confusion
God » What the lord God is not
Peace » Promised to believers » To be cultivated in the church
Peace » God is the author of
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying

1 Corinthians 14:34 (show verse)

the women should remain quiet in the assemblies. For they are not permitted to speak [i.e., in a language supernaturally, or to prophesy], but they are to be in subjection [i.e., to male leaders. See I Tim. 2:11-12], as the law also says. [See Gen. 3:16?].

Church » Called church in the n. T. (K. J. V.), But congregation earlier in tyndale's translation
Discipline of the church » Prohibits women preaching
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Wives » Duties of, to their husbands » To obey them
Wives » Good » Should be silent in the churches
Woman » The subjection of
Women » Characteristics of » Subjection of
Women » What women should not do
Women » Religious privileges of, among early Christians

1 Corinthians 14:35 (show verse)

And if they want to find out about something, they should ask their own husbands at home [i.e., instead of asking someone else in the assembly and thereby suggesting insubordination to their husbands]. For it is a shame for a woman to speak in the assembly. [See verse 34].

Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Wives » Should seek religious instruction from their husbands
Women » What women should not do