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1 Corinthians · Catholic Public Domain Version

1 Corinthians 14 Catholic Public Domain Version

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  • Catholic
  • OT: Latin Vulgate
  • NT: Latin Vulgate
  • Catholic (73 books)
  • Formal (word for word)
  • 2009
  • Public domain

Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings

Notes on this text (3)
CPDV Catholic Public Domain Version
PT1904 Patriarchal Text 1904 (accented, eBible edition)
1 Pursue charity. Be zealous for spiritual things, but only so that you may prophesy.
1 Διώκετε τὴν ἀγάπην· ζηλοῦτε δὲ τὰ πνευματικά, μᾶλλον δὲ ἵνα προφητεύητε.
2 For whoever speaks in tongues, speaks not to men, but to God. For no one understands. Yet by the Spirit, he speaks mysteries.
2 ὁ γὰρ λαλῶν γλώσσῃ οὐκ ἀνθρώποις λαλεῖ, ἀλλὰ τῷ Θεῷ· οὐδεὶς γὰρ ἀκούει, πνεύματι δὲ λαλεῖ μυστήρια·
3 But whoever prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.
3 ὁ δὲ προφητεύων ἀνθρώποις λαλεῖ οἰκοδομὴν καὶ παράκλησιν καὶ παραμυθίαν.
4 Whoever speaks in tongues edifies himself. But whoever prophesies edifies the Church.
4 ὁ λαλῶν γλώσσῃ ἑαυτὸν οἰκοδομεῖ, ὁ δὲ προφητεύων ἐκκλησίαν οἰκοδομεῖ.
5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but more so to prophesy. For he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks in tongues, unless perhaps he interprets, so that the Church may receive edification.
5 θέλω δὲ πάντας ὑμᾶς λαλεῖν γλώσσαις, μᾶλλον δὲ ἵνα προφητεύητε· μείζων γὰρ ὁ προφητεύων ἢ ὁ λαλῶν γλώσσαις, ἐκτὸς εἰ μὴ διερμηνεύει, ἵνα ἡ ἐκκλησία οἰκοδομὴν λάβῃ.
6 But now, brothers, if I were to come to you speaking in tongues, how would it benefit you, unless instead I speak to you in revelation, or in knowledge, or in prophecy, or in doctrine?
6 νυνὶ δέ, ἀδελφοί, ἐὰν ἔλθω πρὸς ὑμᾶς γλώσσαις λαλῶν, τί ὑμᾶς ὠφελήσω, ἐὰν μὴ ὑμῖν λαλήσω ἢ ἐν ἀποκαλύψει ἢ ἐν γνώσει ἢ ἐν προφητείᾳ ἢ ἐν διδαχῇ;
7 Even those things that are without a soul can make sounds, whether it is a wind or a stringed instrument. But unless they present a distinction within the sounds, how will it be known which is from the pipe and which is from the string?
7 ὅμως τὰ ἄψυχα φωνὴν διδόντα, εἴτε αὐλὸς εἴτε κιθάρα, ἐὰν διαστολὴν τοῖς φθόγγοις μὴ διδῷ, πῶς γνωσθήσεται τὸ αὐλούμενον ἢ τὸ κιθαριζόμενον;
8 For example, if the trumpet made an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for battle?
8 καὶ γὰρ ἐὰν ἄδηλον φωνὴν σάλπιγξ δῷ, τίς παρασκευάσεται εἰς πόλεμον;
9 So it is with you also, for unless you utter with the tongue in plain speech, how will it be known what is said? For then you would be speaking into the air.
9 οὕτω καὶ ὑμεῖς διὰ τῆς γλώσσης ἐὰν μὴ εὔσημον λόγον δῶτε, πῶς γνωσθήσεται τὸ λαλούμενον; ἔσεσθε γὰρ εἰς ἀέρα λαλοῦντες.
10 Consider that there are so many different kinds of languages in this world, and yet none is without a voice.
10 τοσαῦτα εἰ τύχοι γένη φωνῶν ἐστιν ἐν κόσμῳ, καὶ οὐδὲν αὐτῶν ἄφωνον·
11 Therefore, if I do not understand the nature of the voice, then I shall be like a foreigner to the one with whom I am speaking; and he who is speaking will be like a foreigner to me.
11 ἐὰν οὖν μὴ εἰδῶ τὴν δύναμιν τῆς φωνῆς, ἔσομαι τῷ λαλοῦντι βάρβαρος καὶ ὁ λαλῶν ἐν ἐμοὶ βάρβαρος.
12 So it is with you also. And since you are zealous for what is spiritual, seek the edification of the Church, so that you may abound.
12 οὕτω καὶ ὑμεῖς ἐπεὶ ζηλωταί ἐστε πνευμάτων, πρὸς τὴν οἰκοδομὴν τῆς ἐκκλησίας ζητεῖτε ἵνα περισσεύητε.
13 For this reason, too, whoever speaks in tongues, let him pray for the interpretation.
13 Διόπερ ὁ λαλῶν γλώσσῃ προσευχέσθω ἵνα διερμηνεύῃ.
14 So, if I pray in tongues, my spirit prays, but my mind is without fruit.
14 ἐὰν γὰρ προσεύχωμαι γλώσσῃ, τὸ πνεῦμά μου προσεύχεται, ὁ δὲ νοῦς μου ἄκαρπός ἐστι.
15 What is next? I should pray with the spirit, and also pray with the mind. I should sing psalms with the spirit, and also recite psalms with the mind.
15 τί οὖν ἐστι; προσεύξομαι τῷ πνεύματι, προσεύξομαι δὲ καὶ τῷ νοΐ· ψαλῶ τῷ πνεύματι, ψαλῶ δὲ καὶ τῷ νοΐ.
16 Otherwise, if you have blessed only with the spirit, how can someone, in a state of ignorance, add an “Amen” to your blessing? For he does not know what you are saying.
16 ἐπεὶ ἐὰν εὐλογήσῃς τῷ πνεύματι, ὁ ἀναπληρῶν τὸν τόπον τοῦ ἰδιώτου πῶς ἐρεῖ τὸ ἀμὴν ἐπὶ τῇ σῇ εὐχαριστίᾳ; ἐπειδὴ τί λέγεις οὐκ οἶδε·
17 In this case, certainly, you give thanks well, but the other person is not edified.
17 σὺ μὲν γὰρ καλῶς εὐχαριστεῖς, ἀλλ᾽ ὁ ἕτερος οὐκ οἰκοδομεῖται.
18 I thank my God that I speak in tongues for all of you.
18 εὐχαριστῶ τῷ Θεῷ μου πάντων ὑμῶν μᾶλλον γλώσσαις λαλῶν·
19 But in the Church, I prefer to speak five words from my mind, so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in tongues.
19 ἀλλ᾽ ἐν ἐκκλησίᾳ θέλω πέντε λόγους διὰ τοῦ νοός μου λαλῆσαι, ἵνα καὶ ἄλλους κατηχήσω, ἢ μυρίους λόγους ἐν γλώσσῃ.
20 Brothers, do not choose to have the minds of children. Instead, be free of malice like infants, but be mature in your minds.
20 Ἀδελφοί, μὴ παιδία γίνεσθε ταῖς φρεσίν, ἀλλὰ τῇ κακίᾳ νηπιάζετε, ταῖς δὲ φρεσὶ τέλειοι γίνεσθε.
21 It is written in the law: “I will speak to this people with other tongues and other lips, and even so, they will not heed me, says the Lord.”
21 ἐν τῷ νόμῳ γέγραπται ὅτι ἐν ἑτερογλώσσοις καὶ ἐν χείλεσιν ἑτέροις λαλήσω τῷ λαῷ τούτῳ, καὶ οὐδ᾽ οὕτως εἰσακούσονταί μου λέγει Κύριος.
22 And so, tongues are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers; and prophecies are not for unbelievers, but for believers.
22 ὥστε αἱ γλῶσσαι εἰς σημεῖόν εἰσιν οὐ τοῖς πιστεύουσιν, ἀλλὰ τοῖς ἀπίστοις, ἡ δὲ προφητεία οὐ τοῖς ἀπίστοις, ἀλλὰ τοῖς πιστεύουσιν.
23 If then, the entire Church were to gather together as one, and if all were to speak in tongues, and then ignorant or unbelieving persons were to enter, would they not say that you were insane?
23 Ἐὰν οὖν συνέλθῃ ἡ ἐκκλησία ὅλη ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ καὶ πάντες γλώσσαις λαλῶσιν, εἰσέλθωσι δὲ ἰδιῶται ἢ ἄπιστοι, οὐκ ἐροῦσιν ὅτι μαίνεσθε;
24 But if everyone prophesies, and one who is ignorant or unbelieving enters, he may be convinced by it all, because he understands it all.
24 ἐὰν δὲ πάντες προφητεύωσιν, εἰσέλθῃ δέ τις ἄπιστος ἢ ἰδιώτης, ἐλέγχεται ὑπὸ πάντων, ἀνακρίνεται ὑπὸ πάντων,
25 The secrets of his heart are then made manifest. And so, falling to his face, he would adore God, proclaiming that God is truly among you.
25 καὶ οὕτω τὰ κρυπτὰ τῆς καρδίας αὐτοῦ φανερὰ γίνεται· καὶ οὕτω πεσὼν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον προσκυνήσει τῷ Θεῷ, ἀπαγγέλλων ὅτι ὁ Θεὸς ὄντως ἐν ὑμῖν ἐστι.
26 What is next, brothers? When you gather together, each one of you may have a psalm, or a doctrine, or a revelation, or a language, or an interpretation, but let everything be done for edification.
26 Τί οὖν ἐστιν, ἀδελφοί; ὅταν συνέρχησθε, ἕκαστος ὑμῶν ψαλμὸν ἔχει, διδαχὴν ἔχει, γλῶσσαν ἔχει, ἀποκάλυψιν ἔχει, ἑρμηνείαν ἔχει· πάντα πρὸς οἰκοδομὴν γινέσθω.
27 If anyone is speaking in tongues, let there be only two, or at most three, and then in turn, and let someone interpret.
27 εἴτε γλώσσῃ τις λαλεῖ, κατὰ δύο ἢ τὸ πλεῖστον τρεῖς, καὶ ἀνὰ μέρος, καὶ εἷς διερμηνευέτω·
28 But if there is no one to interpret, he should remain silent in the church, then he may speak when he is alone with God.
28 ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ᾖ διερμηνευτής, σιγάτω ἐν ἐκκλησίᾳ, ἑαυτῷ δὲ λαλείτω καὶ τῷ Θεῷ.
29 And let the prophets speak, two or three, and let the others discern.
29 προφῆται δὲ δύο ἢ τρεῖς λαλείτωσαν, καὶ οἱ ἄλλοι διακρινέτωσαν·
30 But then, if something is revealed to another who is sitting, let the first one become silent.
30 ἐὰν δὲ ἄλλῳ ἀποκαλυφθῇ καθημένῳ, ὁ πρῶτος σιγάτω.
31 For you are all able to prophesy one at a time, so that all may learn and all may be encouraged.
31 δύνασθε γὰρ καθ᾽ ἕνα πάντες προφητεύειν, ἵνα πάντες μανθάνωσι καὶ πάντες παρακαλῶνται·
32 For the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
32 καὶ πνεύματα προφητῶν προφήταις ὑποτάσσεται·
33 And God is not of dissension, but of peace, just as I also teach in all the churches of the saints.
33 οὐ γάρ ἐστιν ἀκαταστασίας ὁ Θεός, ἀλλὰ εἰρήνης.
34 Women should be silent in the churches. For it is not permitted for them to speak; but instead, they should be subordinate, as the law also says.
34 Ὡς ἐν πάσαις ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις τῶν ἁγίων, αἱ γυναῖκες ὑμῶν ἐν ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις σιγάτωσαν· οὐ γὰρ ἐπιτέτραπται αὐταῖς λαλεῖν, ἀλλ᾽ ὑποτάσσεσθαι, καθὼς καὶ ὁ νόμος λέγει.
35 And if they want to learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in church.
35 εἰ δέ τι μαθεῖν θέλουσιν, ἐν οἴκῳ τοὺς ἰδίους ἄνδρας ἐπερωτάτωσαν· αἰσχρὸν γάρ ἐστι γυναιξὶν ἐν ἐκκλησίᾳ λαλεῖν.
36 So now, did the Word of God proceed from you? Or was it sent to you alone?
36 ἢ ἀφ᾽ ὑμῶν ὁ λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐξῆλθεν, ἢ εἰς ὑμᾶς μόνους κατήντησεν;
37 If anyone seems to be a prophet or a spiritual person, he should understand these things which I am writing to you, that these things are the commandments of the Lord.
37 Εἴ τις δοκεῖ προφήτης εἶναι ἢ πνευματικός, ἐπιγινωσκέτω ἃ γράφω ὑμῖν, ὅτι τοῦ Κυρίου εἰσὶν ἐντολαί·
38 If anyone does not recognize these things, he should not be recognized.
38 εἰ δέ τις ἀγνοεῖ, ἀγνοείτω.
39 And so, brothers, be zealous to prophesy, and do not prohibit speaking in tongues.
39 Ὥστε, ἀδελφοί, ζηλοῦτε τὸ προφητεύειν, καὶ τὸ λαλεῖν γλώσσαις μὴ κωλύετε·
40 But let everything be done respectfully and according to proper order.
40 πάντα εὐσχημόνως καὶ κατὰ τάξιν γινέσθω.
Cross references (38)

Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.

  1. 1 1 Timothy 4:14; 1 Corinthians 14:39; 1 Corinthians 16:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:20; 1 Corinthians 12:1
  2. 2 Mark 16:17; Acts 19:6; Acts 10:46; Acts 2:4–11; 1 Corinthians 13:2
  3. 3 1 Timothy 4:13; 1 Corinthians 14:12; Jude 20; 2 Timothy 4:2; Ephesians 6:22
  4. 4 1 Corinthians 14:22; 1 Corinthians 14:26; Mark 16:17; 1 Corinthians 14:17–19; 1 Corinthians 14:3
  5. 5 1 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Corinthians 12:28–30; 1 Corinthians 13:1; Numbers 11:28–29; Mark 16:17
  6. 6 Ephesians 1:17; 2 Timothy 3:16; Romans 6:17; 1 Corinthians 14:1; 2 John 9
  7. 7 1 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Corinthians 14:8; Numbers 10:2–10; Matthew 11:17; Luke 7:32
  8. 8 Numbers 10:9; Ezekiel 33:3–6; Jeremiah 4:19; Joel 2:1; Amos 3:6
  9. 9 1 Corinthians 9:26
  10. 11 Acts 28:2; Romans 1:14; Acts 28:4; 1 Corinthians 14:21; Colossians 3:11
  11. 12 1 Corinthians 14:26; 1 Corinthians 12:31; 1 Corinthians 14:3–4; 1 Corinthians 14:1; 1 Corinthians 12:7
  12. 13 Mark 11:24; John 14:13–14; 1 Corinthians 12:30; Acts 1:14; 1 Corinthians 14:27–28
  13. 14 1 Corinthians 14:2; 1 Corinthians 14:15–16; 1 Corinthians 14:19
  14. 15 Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 6:18; John 4:23–24; Ephesians 5:17–20; Jude 20
  15. 16 1 Chronicles 16:36; Psalm 106:48; Revelation 5:14; Deuteronomy 27:15–26; Nehemiah 8:6
  16. 17 1 Corinthians 14:4; 1 Corinthians 14:6
  17. 18 1 Corinthians 1:4–6; 1 Corinthians 4:7
  18. 19 1 Corinthians 14:21–22; 1 Corinthians 14:4
  19. 20 1 Peter 2:2; 1 Corinthians 13:11; Romans 16:19; Matthew 18:3; 2 Peter 3:18
  20. 21 Isaiah 28:11–12; Jeremiah 5:15; Deuteronomy 28:49
  21. 22 Acts 2:6–12; Mark 16:17; 1 Timothy 1:9; 1 Corinthians 14:1; Acts 2:32–36
  22. 23 Acts 2:13; 1 Corinthians 11:18; John 10:20; Acts 26:24; Hosea 9:7
  23. 24 Hebrews 4:12–13; Acts 2:37; 1 Corinthians 2:15; John 4:29; John 1:47–49
  24. 25 Isaiah 45:14; Zechariah 8:23; Psalm 72:11; Luke 17:16; Revelation 5:8
  25. 26 Ephesians 5:19; Romans 14:19; 1 Corinthians 12:7–10; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Ephesians 4:16
  26. 27 1 Corinthians 14:26
  27. 29 1 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:19–21; 1 John 4:1–3; 1 Corinthians 14:39
  28. 30 1 Thessalonians 5:19–20; Job 33:31–33; Job 32:11; 1 Corinthians 14:26; Job 32:15–20
  29. 31 1 Corinthians 14:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Proverbs 1:5; 1 Corinthians 14:35
  30. 32 1 John 4:1; Acts 4:19–20; 1 Corinthians 14:29–30; 2 Kings 2:5; 1 Samuel 10:10–13
  31. 33 James 3:17–18; 1 Corinthians 14:40; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Galatians 5:22; 1 Corinthians 11:16
  32. 34 1 Timothy 2:11–12; Genesis 3:16; Numbers 30:3–13; Colossians 3:18; 1 Corinthians 14:35
  33. 35 1 Peter 3:7; Ephesians 5:12; Ephesians 5:25–27; 1 Corinthians 11:14; 1 Corinthians 11:6
  34. 36 Zechariah 14:8; Acts 18:1–17; 1 Thessalonians 1:8; Isaiah 2:3; Acts 17:1
  35. 37 1 John 4:6; 2 Corinthians 10:7; 2 Peter 3:2; Jude 17; 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8
  36. 38 2 Timothy 4:3–4; 1 Timothy 6:3–5; Matthew 7:6; Revelation 22:11–12; Hosea 4:17
  37. 39 1 Corinthians 12:31; 1 Corinthians 14:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:20; 1 Corinthians 14:24–25; 1 Corinthians 14:5
  38. 40 Colossians 2:5; Titus 1:5; 1 Corinthians 14:26–33; 1 Corinthians 11:34; Romans 13:13

Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences

Articles and answers on this site that cite 1 Corinthians 14.

What the Fathers said

Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).

How these were chosen

“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).

  1. Commentary 14:1 John Chrysostom, Homilies on First Corinthians (Homily XXXV)

    Thus, inasmuch as he had with exactness rehearsed unto them all the excellence of love, he exhorts them in what follows, with alacrity to lay hold of it.

    Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 12 (1889)

  2. Quotes verse 14:20 Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies (Book IV, Chapters XXV–XXVI)

    Is it not those who love God, and who believe His promises, and who "in malice have become as little children?"

    Read in context · Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1 (1885)

  3. Quotes verse 14:20 Augustine of Hippo, Confessions (Book XIII, Chapters XII–XV)

    … is from heaven;" and calleth upon this lower deep, saying, "Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." And, "Be not children in understanding, howbeit in malice be ye children," that in "understanding ye may be perfect;" and "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you?" But now not in his own voice, …

    Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 1 (1886)

  4. Quotes verse 14:22 John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew (Homily XII)

    For signs are "not for them that believe, but for them that believe not." But why in the fashion of a dove?

    Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)

  5. Quotes verse 14:29 Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures (Lecture XIII)

    For the clouds which are the Prophets were removed from them, and are for the future in the Church; as Paul says, Let the Prophets speak two or three, and let the others judge; and again, God gave in the Church, some, Apostles, and some, Prophets.

    Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)