1 Corinthians 14:13-25 Lesson 334

1 Corinthians 14:13-25
Lesson 334

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

More on speaking in tongues versus the gift of prophecy.
Christians need God's truth.

Study Tip:

Make a list of your favorite Bible verses.
Choose a verse a week to meditate on while alone in your car or enjoying some quiet time.

The First Epistle of Paul The Apostle To The Corinthians

The King James Bible

1 Corinthians 14:13-25
Ministries of two gifts

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 men.

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.

Margin notes:

"If I pray in an unknown tongue...my understanding is unfruitful." (14:14) - Means speaking in tongues does not help anyone understand the word of God.

"How shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks."(14:16) - "How will those who don't understand (you speaking in tongues) agree with what you're saying?"

"I had rather speak five words with my understand." (14:19) - Paul would rather speak five words that his audience can understand than ten thousand words in tongues.

"Be not children in understanding." (14:20) - "Don't be childish in your thinking."

"In malice be ye children, but in understanding be men." (14:20) - "In evil things be innocent children, but in intelligent things be adult (mature)."

"In the law it is written." (14:21) - The Law refers to the Mosaic Law of the Old Testament.

"With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people." (14:21) - As foretold by God in Isaiah 28:11-12.

"Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe." (14:22) - Speaking in tongues captures the attention of non-believers, so they will be amazed and listen to prophesying (preaching).

"Prophesying serveth not for them that believe not." (14:22) - Prophesying (preaching) is for those who already believe.

"Will they not say that ye are mad?" (14:23) - "Won't they say you are crazy?"

"The secrets of his heart made manifest." (14:25) - "The secrets of his heart are revealed."

"God is in you of a truth." (14:25) - "God is truly in you."

New Living Translation

1 Corinthians 14:13-25

13 So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said.

14 For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don't understand what I am saying.

15 Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand.

16 For if you praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don't understand you praise God along with you? How can they join you in giving thanks when they don't understand what you are saying?

17 You will be giving thanks very well, but it won't strengthen the people who hear you.

18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you.

19 But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language.

20 Dear brothers and sisters, don't be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind.

21 It is written in the Scriptures:

  "I will speak to my own people
      through strange languages
      and through the lips of foreigners.
   But even then, they will not listen to me,"
      says the Lord.

22 So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers.

23 Even so, if unbelievers or people who don't understand these things come into your church meeting and hear everyone speaking in an unknown language, they will think you are crazy.

24 But if all of you are prophesying, and unbelievers or people who don't understand these things come into your meeting, they will be convicted of sin and judged by what you say.

25 As they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring, "God is truly here among you."

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's question:

1. Did Corinthians have the gift of speaking in tongues?




Every Saint has a past; every sinner has a future.

Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. Yes, some Corinthians had the gift to speak in tongues. But although such a gift was proof that Jesus was the Son of God, some were misusing the gift. Paul worried that non-believers would think Christians speaking in tongues had gone "mad" (14:23).

Application thought for the day:

Spiritual gifts should be used to edify (strengthen) the church (14:12; 14:26).
Are you using your gift as a speaker, teacher, organizer, or leader to strengthen God's church?

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2022 evolke

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