1 Corinthians 14 :: Amplified Bible (AMP)

Prophecy a Superior Gift

Pursue [this] love [with eagerness, make it your goal], yet earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual gifts [to be used by believers for the benefit of the church], but especially that you may [fn]prophesy [to foretell the future, to speak a new message from God to the people].

1Co 14:2

1Co 14:2For one who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to people but to God; for no one understands him or catches his meaning, but by the Spirit he speaks mysteries [secret truths, hidden things].

1Co 14:3

1Co 14:3But [on the other hand] the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification [to promote their spiritual growth] and [speaks words of] encouragement [to uphold and advise them concerning the matters of God] and [speaks words of] consolation [to compassionately comfort them].

1Co 14:4

1Co 14:4One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church [promotes growth in spiritual wisdom, devotion, holiness, and joy].

1Co 14:5

1Co 14:5Now I wish that all of you spoke in unknown tongues, but even more [I wish] that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater [and more useful] than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he translates or explains [what he says], so that the church may [fn]be edified [instructed, improved, strengthened].

1Co 14:6

Now, believers, if I come to you speaking in unknown tongues, how will I benefit you unless I also speak to you [clearly] either by revelation [revealing God’s mystery], or by knowledge [teaching about God], or by prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people], or by instruction [teaching precepts that develop spiritual maturity]?

1Co 14:7

1Co 14:7Yet even lifeless things, whether flute or harp, when producing a sound, if they do not produce distinct [musical] tones, how will anyone [listening] know what is piped or played?

1Co 14:8

1Co 14:8And if the [war] bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?

1Co 14:9

1Co 14:9So it is with you, if you speak words [in an unknown tongue] that are not intelligible and clear, how will anyone understand what you are saying? You will be talking into the air [wasting your breath]!

1Co 14:10

1Co 14:10There are, I suppose, a great many kinds of languages in the world [unknown to us], and none is lacking in meaning.

1Co 14:11

1Co 14:11But if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will [appear to] be a [fn]foreigner to the one who is speaking [since he knows exactly what he is saying], and the one who is speaking will [appear to] be a foreigner to me.

1Co 14:12

1Co 14:12So it is with you, since you are so very eager to have spiritual gifts and manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in ways that will build up the church [spiritually].

1Co 14:13

Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may [be gifted to] translate or explain [what he says].

1Co 14:14

1Co 14:14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive [because it does not understand what my spirit is praying].

1Co 14:15

1Co 14:15Then what am I to do? I will pray with the [fn]spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me] and I will pray with the mind [using words I understand]; I will sing with the spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me] and I will sing with the mind [using words I understand].

1Co 14:16

1Co 14:16Otherwise if you bless [and give thanks to God] in the spirit only, how will any outsider or someone who is not gifted [in spiritual matters] say the “Amen” [of agreement] to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

1Co 14:17

1Co 14:17You are giving thanks well enough [in a way that God is glorified], but the other person [who does not understand you] is not edified [and spiritually strengthened since he cannot join in your thanksgiving].

1Co 14:18

1Co 14:18I thank God that I speak in [unknown] tongues more than all of you;

1Co 14:19

1Co 14:19nevertheless, in public worship I would rather say five understandable words in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue [which others cannot understand].

Instruction for the Church

1Co 14:20

Brothers and sisters, do not be children [immature, childlike] in your thinking; be infants in [matters of] evil [completely innocent and inexperienced], but in your minds be mature [adults].

1Co 14:21

1Co 14:21It is written in the Law, “BY MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS OF FOREIGNERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND NOT EVEN THEN WILL THEY LISTEN TO ME,” says the Lord.

1Co 14:22

1Co 14:22Therefore, [unknown] tongues are [meant] for a [supernatural] sign, not to believers but to unbelievers [who might be receptive]; while prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people] is not for unbelievers but for believers.

1Co 14:23

1Co 14:23So then, if the whole church gathers together and all of you speak in [unknown] tongues, and outsiders or those who are not gifted [in spiritual matters] or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?

1Co 14:24

1Co 14:24But if all prophesy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people], and an unbeliever or outsider comes in, he is convicted [of his sins] by all, and he is called to account by all [because he can understand what is being said];

1Co 14:25

1Co 14:25the secrets of his heart are laid bare. And so, falling on his face, he will worship God, declaring that God is really among you.

1Co 14:26

What then is the right course, believers? When you meet together, each one has a psalm, a teaching, a revelation (disclosure of special knowledge), a tongue, or an interpretation. Let everything be constructive and edifying and done for the good of all the church.

1Co 14:27

1Co 14:27If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be limited to two or at the most three, and each one speaking in turn, and one must interpret [what is said].

1Co 14:28

1Co 14:28But if there is no one to interpret, the one [who wishes to speak in a tongue] must keep silent in church; let him speak to himself and to God.

1Co 14:29

1Co 14:29Let two or three prophets speak [as inspired by the Holy Spirit], while the rest pay attention and weigh carefully what is said.

1Co 14:30

1Co 14:30But if an inspired revelation is made to another who is seated, then the first one must be silent.

1Co 14:31

1Co 14:31For [in this way] you can all prophesy one by one, so that everyone may be instructed and everyone may be encouraged;

1Co 14:32

1Co 14:32for the spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets [the prophecy is under the speaker’s control, and he can stop speaking];

1Co 14:33

1Co 14:33for God [who is the source of their prophesying] is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order.

As [is the practice] in all the churches of the saints (God’s people),

1Co 14:34

the [fn]women should be silent in the churches, for they are not authorized to speak, but are to take a subordinate place, as the Law says.

1Co 14:35

1Co 14:35If there is anything they want to learn [that is, if they have questions about anything being said or taught], they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a [fn]woman to talk in church.

1Co 14:36

1Co 14:36Did the word of the Lord originate from you [Corinthians], or has it come to you only [so that you know best what God requires]?

1Co 14:37

If anyone thinks and claims that he is a prophet [a true spokesman for God] or spiritually astute [filled with and energized by the Holy Spirit], let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.

1Co 14:38

1Co 14:38If anyone does not recognize this [that it is a command of the Lord], he is not recognized [by God].

1Co 14:39

Therefore, believers, desire earnestly to prophesy [to foretell the future, to speak a new message from God to the people], and do not forbid speaking in unknown tongues.

1Co 14:40

1Co 14:40But all things must be done appropriately and in an orderly manner.

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AMP Footnotes

(14:1)

In both the Old and the New Testaments, prophets are divinely inspired to foretell the future in the process of delivering God’s word to the people. Paul is saying to the Corinthians that all gifts are worthy and necessary (cf 12:11, 18, 29, 30), but that they should give the gift of prophecy the highest priority (cf Deut 18).

(14:5)

Lit receive edification.

(14:11)

Lit barbarian, i.e. one who did not speak Greek; especially a person from an uncivilized region whose speech could not be readily translated.

(14:15)

May refer to Paul’s spirit, the Holy Spirit, or the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

(14:34)

When used elsewhere in the New Testament, in specific reference to a woman (cf Eph 5:22; Col 3:18; Titus 2:4, 5; 1 Peter 3:1, 5), this word refers to a married woman, so these admonitions (vv 34, 35) may be directed primarily to the wives of believing husbands.

(14:35)

Paul does not comment on unmarried women; they probably have to abide by the prohibition against speaking out in church as well, and ask questions outside the service.

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1 Corinthians Chapter 14 — Additional Translations:

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1 Corinthians 14 :: Amplified Bible (AMP)

Prophecy a Superior Gift

Instruction for the Church

AMP Footnotes

1 Corinthians Chapter 14 — Additional Translations:

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