1 Corinthians 14:13 kjv
Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
1 Corinthians 14:13 nkjv
Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
1 Corinthians 14:13 niv
For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.
1 Corinthians 14:13 esv
Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.
1 Corinthians 14:13 nlt
So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said.
1 Corinthians 14 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 14:5 | ...except he interpret, that the church might receive edifying. | For mutual building |
| 1 Cor 14:19 | Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding... | For intelligibility |
| 1 Cor 14:26 | ...all things are to be done unto edifying. | Purpose of spiritual gifts |
| 1 Cor 14:27-28 | If any man speak with tongues... let one interpret. | Orderly use of tongues |
| Eph 4:29 | Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouth, but only such as is good... | Edifying speech |
| Col 4:6 | Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt... | Edifying communication |
| 1 Thess 5:11 | Therefore encourage one another and build one another up... | Mutual edification |
| Heb 10:24-25 | ...let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works... | Mutual exhortation |
| 1 Pet 4:10 | As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another... | Service through gifts |
| Rom 12:6-8 | Having gifts that differ... he who prophesies, in proportion to his faith. | Diversity of gifts and purpose |
| Matt 18:20 | For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. | God's presence in the church |
| John 14:13 | Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do... | Efficacy of prayer |
| Luke 11:13 | If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! | God granting gifts by asking |
| Mark 11:24 | Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. | Faith in prayer |
| Acts 2:4 | And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. | Baptism of the Holy Spirit |
| Acts 2:41 | So those who gladly received his word were baptized, and there were added to them that day about three thousand souls. | Response to preaching |
| 1 Cor 12:8-10 | ...to another interpretation of tongues... | Mention of interpretation gift |
| 1 Cor 14:2-4 | For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God... | Nature of speaking in tongues |
| 1 Cor 14:16-17 | ...for how can anyone join in your thanksgiving if he is not present for your unlearned words but for your meaning... | Need for understanding |
| Rom 1:11-12 | For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith... | Spiritual gifting for strengthening |
| Phil 2:3-4 | Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. | Humility and consideration of others |
1 Corinthians 14 verses
1 Corinthians 14 13 Meaning
This verse encourages believers to pray for the gift of interpretation when speaking in tongues. It emphasizes that the primary purpose of this spiritual gift, as outlined in this chapter, is the edification of the church. Speaking intelligibly is essential for building up others in their faith.
1 Corinthians 14 13 Context
In 1 Corinthians chapter 14, the Apostle Paul is addressing issues within the Corinthian church regarding the exercise of spiritual gifts, particularly speaking in tongues and prophecy. The Corinthian believers seemed to be overemphasizing ecstatic utterances (tongues) without ensuring they benefited the assembly. Paul aims to bring order and edification to their worship services. He contrasts the unintelligibility of uninterpreted tongues with the intelligibility and constructive power of prophecy. This verse specifically highlights the practical application of spiritual gifts within the communal worship setting, emphasizing the need for clarity and understanding for the building up of the entire body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 14 13 Word Analysis
- εὰν (ean): "If". A conditional particle introducing a hypothetical situation.
- εὔχηται (euchētai): "prays" or "makes a wish". From the verb εὔχομαι (euchomai), meaning to wish, to pray, or to vow. It suggests a heartfelt plea.
- ἑρμηνείαν (hermēneian): "interpretation". The accusative form of ἑρμηνεία (hermēneia), meaning explanation, understanding, or rendering. This refers to the gift of interpretation of tongues.
- διδῷ (didō): "may give" or "gives". From the verb δίδωμι (didōmi), a common verb for giving. In this context, it signifies God granting the ability.
- ὄψται (opsētai): "he will see" or "he shall see". Future middle indicative of ὁράω (horaō), meaning to see, behold, perceive, or understand. It implies the outcome or result of praying for interpretation.
- ἵνα (hina): "that". A particle of purpose, introducing the reason or goal for praying for interpretation.
- ἐν (en): "in". A preposition indicating within or by means of.
- τῇ (tē): "the". The feminine definite article.
- ἐκκλησίᾳ (ekklēsia): "church". Referring to the congregation of believers, the assembly.
- οἰκοδομὴν (oikodomēn): "edification" or "building up". The accusative form of οἰκοδομή (oikodomē), a noun denoting construction, building, or spiritual upbuilding.
Word-Group Analysis:
- "εὰν εὔχηται ἑρμηνείαν διδῷ" (ean euchētai hermēneian didō): "if he prays that [God] may give interpretation." This phrase emphasizes proactive prayer for the specific gift of understanding and conveying the message of tongues. It is a call to ask God for this enablement.
- "ὄψται ἵνα ἐκκλησίᾳ οἰκοδομὴν διδῷ" (opsētai hina ekklēsia oikodomēn didō): "he will see that he may give edification to the church." This highlights the direct link between the gift of interpretation and the purpose of church worship—the building up of the community. The result of seeking interpretation is the ability to impart spiritual strengthening.
1 Corinthians 14 13 Bonus Section
This verse underscores the principle that spiritual gifts, while diverse and supernatural, are intended to be intelligible and constructive within the context of corporate worship. The emphasis on "edification" reflects the ultimate goal of all spiritual manifestations in the church, which is the strengthening of believers and the corporate growth of the body of Christ. The Greek word for interpretation (hermēneia) implies bringing meaning out into the open, making the hidden manifest. This echoes the Old Testament concept of prophecy, which was intended to declare God's truth clearly. By praying for interpretation, the speaker of tongues aligns themselves with this core purpose of intelligible communication in worship. This verse is crucial in guiding the church in the orderly use of the charismatic gifts for the upbuilding of all its members.
1 Corinthians 14 13 Commentary
The essence of this verse is that spiritual gifts are given for the mutual benefit of the church. When someone speaks in tongues, the primary obstacle to its usefulness for others is its incomprehensibility. Therefore, Paul instructs believers who exercise this gift to earnestly pray for the accompanying gift of interpretation. This prayer should be with the express purpose that what is spoken in tongues can be understood by the assembly and contribute to their spiritual growth (edification). This doesn't mean one has to "earn" the gift, but rather, actively seek it through prayer. The future tense "he will see" implies a definite outcome if this instruction is followed. It assures the believer that when they pray for interpretation, they will be enabled to edify the church. It reinforces the idea that gifts are operationalized through humble reliance on God and a desire to serve others rather than self-display.