Thematic Bible
1 Corinthians 14:1 (show verse)
Seek this Love earnestly, and strive for spiritual gifts, above all for the gift of preaching.
1 Corinthians 14:2 (show verse)
He who, when speaking, uses the gift of 'tongues' is speaking, not to men, but to God, for no one understands him; yet in spirit he is speaking of hidden truths.
1 Corinthians 14:3 (show verse)
But he who preaches is speaking to his fellow men words that will build up faith, and give them comfort and encouragement.
1 Corinthians 14:4 (show verse)
He who, when speaking, uses the gift of 'tongues' builds up his own faith, while he who preaches builds up the faith of the Church.
1 Corinthians 14:5 (show verse)
Now I want you all to speak in 'tongues,' but much more I wish that you should preach. A Preacher is of more account than he who speaks in 'tongues,' unless he interprets his words, so that the faith of the Church may be built up.
1 Corinthians 14:6 (show verse)
This being so, Brothers, what good shall I do you, if I come to you and speak in 'tongues,' unless my words convey some revelation, or knowledge, or take the form of preaching or teaching?
1 Corinthians 14:7 (show verse)
Even with inanimate things, such as a flute or a harp, though they produce sounds, yet unless the notes are quite distinct, how can the tune played on the flute or the harp be recognized?
1 Corinthians 14:8 (show verse)
If the bugle sounds a doubtful call, who will prepare for battle?
1 Corinthians 14:9 (show verse)
And so with you; unless, in using the gift of 'tongues,' you utter intelligible words, how can what you say be understood? You will be speaking to the winds!
1 Corinthians 14:10 (show verse)
There is, for instance, a certain number of different languages in the world, and not one of them fails to convey meaning.
1 Corinthians 14:11 (show verse)
If, however, I do not happen to know the language, I shall be a foreigner to those who speak it, and they will be foreigners to me.
1 Corinthians 14:12 (show verse)
And so with you; since your are striving for spiritual gifts, be eager to excel in such as will build up the faith of the Church.
1 Corinthians 14:13 (show verse)
Therefore let him who, when speaking, uses the gift of 'tongues' pray for ability to interpret them.
1 Corinthians 14:14 (show verse)
If, when praying, I use the gift of 'tongues,' my spirit indeed prays, but my mind is a blank.
1 Corinthians 14:15 (show verse)
What, then, is my conclusion? Simply this-I will pray with my spirit, but with my mind as well; I will sing with my spirit, but with my mind as well.
1 Corinthians 14:16 (show verse)
If you bless God with your spirit only, how can the man in the congregation who is without your gift say 'Amen' to your thanksgiving? He does not know what you are saying!
1 Corinthians 14:17 (show verse)
Your thanksgiving may be excellent, but the other is not helped by it.
1 Corinthians 14:18 (show verse)
Thank God, I use the gift of 'tongues' more than any of you.
1 Corinthians 14:19 (show verse)
But at a meeting of the Church I would rather speak five words with my mind, and so teach others, than ten thousand words when using the gift of 'tongues.'
1 Corinthians 14:20 (show verse)
Brothers, do not show yourselves children in understanding. In wickedness be infants, but in understanding show yourselves men.
1 Corinthians 14:21 (show verse)
It is said in the Law-'In strange tongues and by the lips of strangers will I speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.'
1 Corinthians 14:22 (show verse)
Therefore the gift of the 'tongues' is intended as a sign, not for those who believe in Christ, but for those who do not, while the gift of preaching is intended as a sign, not for those who do not believe in Christ, but for those who do.
1 Corinthians 14:23 (show verse)
So, when the whole Church meets, if all present use the gift of 'tongues,' and some men who are without the gift, or who are unbelievers, come in, will not they say that you are mad?
1 Corinthians 14:24 (show verse)
While, if all those present use the gift of preaching, and an unbeliever, or a man without the gift, comes in, he is convinced of his sinfulness by them all, he is called to account by them all;
1 Corinthians 14:25 (show verse)
The secrets of his heart are revealed, and then, throwing himself on his face, he will worship God, and declare 'God is indeed among you!'
1 Corinthians 14:26 (show verse)
What do I suggest, then, Brothers? Whenever you meet for worship, each of you comes, either with a hymn, or a lesson, or a revelation, or the gift of 'tongues,' or the interpretation of them; let everything be directed to the building up of faith.
1 Corinthians 14:27 (show verse)
If any of you use the gift of 'tongues,' not more than two, or at the most three, should do so-each speaking in his turn-and some one should interpret them.
1 Corinthians 14:28 (show verse)
If there is no one able to interpret what is said, they should remain silent at the meeting of the Church, and speak to themselves and to God.
1 Corinthians 14:29 (show verse)
Of preachers two or three should speak, and the rest should weigh well what is said.
1 Corinthians 14:30 (show verse)
But, if some revelation is made to another person as he sits there, the first speaker should stop.
1 Corinthians 14:31 (show verse)
For you can all preach in turn, so that all may learn some lesson and all receive encouragement.
1 Corinthians 14:32 (show verse)
(The spirit that moves the preachers is within the preachers' control;
1 Corinthians 14:33 (show verse)
For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace.) This custom prevails in all the Churches of Christ's People.
1 Corinthians 14:34 (show verse)
At the meetings of the Church married women should remain silent, for they are not allowed to speak in public; they should take a subordinate place, as the Law itself directs.
1 Corinthians 14:35 (show verse)
If they want information on any point, they should ask their husbands about it at home; for it is unbecoming for a married woman to speak at a meeting of the Church.
1 Corinthians 14:36 (show verse)
What! did God's Message to the world originate with you? or did it find its way to none but you?
1 Corinthians 14:37 (show verse)
If any one thinks that he has the gift of preaching or any other spiritual gift, let him recognize that what I am now saying to you is a command from the Lord.
1 Corinthians 14:38 (show verse)
Any one who ignores it may be ignored.
1 Corinthians 14:39 (show verse)
Therefore, my Brothers, strive for the gift of preaching, and yet do not forbid speaking in 'tongues.'
1 Corinthians 14:40 (show verse)
Let everything be done in a proper and orderly manner.