1 Corinthians 14:19 kjv
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.
1 Corinthians 14:19 nkjv
yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
1 Corinthians 14:19 niv
But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
1 Corinthians 14:19 esv
Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
1 Corinthians 14:19 nlt
But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language.
1 Corinthians 14 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 14:2 | "For no one understands a person speaking in tongues. He speaks mysteries in the Spirit." | Clarifies the nature of speaking in tongues in contrast to prophecy. |
| 1 Cor 14:4 | "The one who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds up the church." | Contrasts personal edification with corporate edification. |
| 1 Cor 14:5 | "Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified." | Establishes the superiority of prophecy for church edification without interpretation. |
| 1 Cor 14:6 | "Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what good will I do you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophecy, or of teaching?" | Highlights the need for intelligible communication. |
| 1 Cor 14:9 | "So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church." | Directs the desire for spiritual gifts towards corporate edification. |
| 1 Cor 14:12 | "So also you, since you are eager for spiritual gifts, strive to excel in building up the church." | Repeats the importance of church edification. |
| 1 Cor 14:16 | "If you bless with the spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say the 'Amen' to your thanksgiving, since he does not understand what you are saying?" | Illustrates the lack of corporate participation when language is not understood. |
| 1 Cor 14:23 | "If, therefore, the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?" | Shows the negative impression unintelligible speech makes on outsiders. |
| Eph 4:29 | "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." | Echoes the principle of edifying speech. |
| Col 4:6 | "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." | Emphasizes the need for thoughtful and gracious communication. |
| Heb 10:24 | "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works," | The purpose of spiritual communication is to incite good deeds. |
| Phil 2:4 | "Let each of you look not to his own interests, but each of you to the interests of the others." | Underlines the selfless focus in communication, preferring the benefit of others. |
| Prov 10:21 | "The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense." | Connects righteous speech with nourishment and life for others. |
| Isa 40:26 | "Lift up your eyes and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing." | Points to God's ordered power, a contrast to disorder in speech. |
| Acts 2:4 | "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit was giving them utterance." | The origin of tongues is the Spirit, but their use must be regulated. |
| 1 Thess 5:11 | "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." | Reinforces the mutual encouragement in the church. |
| Gal 5:22-23 | "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." | Self-control and order are fruits of the Spirit, applicable to communication. |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | "For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints." | Paul's overarching principle for order in worship. |
| John 13:34 | "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." | The mandate for Christian love which should guide all interactions. |
| Rom 15:2 | "Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up." | Another call to prioritize the edification of others. |
1 Corinthians 14 verses
1 Corinthians 14 19 Meaning
In the church assembly, it is more beneficial to speak five intelligible words that edify others than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue that are not understood. The goal is mutual spiritual building up.
1 Corinthians 14 19 Context
This verse is part of Paul's extended discussion on spiritual gifts, specifically speaking in tongues and prophecy, within the context of public worship in the Corinthian church. The Corinthian believers were particularly zealous for the gift of speaking in tongues, often to the detriment of orderly worship and the edification of the congregation. Paul aims to correct their misunderstandings and misplaced enthusiasm. He argues that while tongues have a place, especially when accompanied by interpretation, intelligibility and mutual edification are paramount in corporate worship. This particular verse serves to underscore the principle that clear communication for the building up of the church is vastly superior to ecstatic utterance that remains unintelligible to the assembly. He is addressing a situation where some were valuing spiritual experiences over practical application and the benefit of the whole body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 14 19 Word Analysis
- Else (Ἢ, ē): A conjunction, often meaning "or" or "than," introducing an alternative or comparison. Here, it functions as "than" to establish a comparison between speaking unintelligible words and speaking intelligible words.
- Speak (λαλήσω, lalesō): Future indicative of λαλέω (laleō), meaning "to speak," "to talk," "to converse." It refers to the act of vocal utterance.
- In (ἐν, en): A preposition often translated as "in," "on," or "with." Here it indicates the sphere or manner of speaking, specifically "in the church" or "in the midst of the church."
- The church (ἐκκλησίᾳ, ekklēsia): The assembly, congregation, or body of believers. It emphasizes the corporate nature of the worship setting being discussed.
- Five (πέντε, pente): The number five.
- Words (λόγους, logous): Accusative plural of λόγος (logos), meaning "word," "speech," "saying," "message," or "reason." These are intelligible words carrying meaning.
- Understand (νοῶ, noō): Present indicative of νοέω (noeō), meaning "to perceive," "to understand," "to apprehend," "to think." The focus is on comprehension and making sense of the utterance.
- Than (Ἢ, ē): As explained above, the comparative conjunction.
- In (ἐν, en): As explained above, indicating the sphere or manner.
- The church (ἐκκλησίᾳ, ekklēsia): As explained above, the congregation.
- Ten thousand ( μυρίοις, muriois): Dative plural of μύριος (murios), literally meaning "ten thousand," but often used idiomatically to mean "countless," "innumerable," or "many." This signifies a large, overwhelming quantity of unintelligible speech.
- Words (λόγοις, logois): Dative plural of λόγος (logos). These are unintelligible words or utterances.
- In (λαλιᾷ, lalia): A different form of the Greek word for speaking. This particular word (λαλία, lalia) often refers to "speech," "talk," or "babbling," sometimes suggesting less structured or more continuous speech, potentially like babbling in a tongue. Here, it signifies speech in an unknown tongue.
- An unknown (γλῶσσῃ, glōssē): Dative singular of γλῶσσα (glōssa), meaning "tongue" or "language." It refers to a language not known or understood by the listeners.
- Rather (μᾶλλον, mallon): Adverb meaning "more," "rather," or "exceedingly." It indicates preference or a higher degree.
Words Group Analysis:
- "five words that I may teach others rather than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue": This contrasts quantity and intelligibility. The value is placed not on the sheer volume of speech but on its understandability and purpose for teaching. The "five words" represent a small, yet comprehensible, unit of teaching, deemed more valuable than a vast quantity of unintelligible utterance.
- "Understand in the church": This phrase encapsulates the core issue: comprehension by the corporate body during worship. Paul emphasizes that true communication in the church must be such that the assembly can grasp and benefit from it.
1 Corinthians 14 19 Bonus Section
This verse is a cornerstone in Paul's argument for the primacy of prophecy over uninterpreted tongues in public worship, as evidenced by the subsequent verses and the entire chapter's thrust. The concept of "building up" (οἰκοδομή, oikodomē) is central to Paul's ministry and his understanding of church life, reflecting the Old Testament idea of God's people being built up in faith and unity. The contrast between the small number of understandable words and the large number of unintelligible words highlights a pragmatic principle: effectiveness in communication is measured by reception and assimilation by the audience, not by the volume or the perceived spiritual intensity of the speaker. The ultimate purpose of spiritual gifts is to serve the body, which requires clear communication rooted in love.
1 Corinthians 14 19 Commentary
The verse unequivocally states the superiority of intelligible communication for the building up of the church. Speaking five understandable words that impart knowledge or exhortation to others is far more valuable in a congregational setting than speaking ten thousand words in a language that the listeners cannot comprehend. The Corinthian church needed this correction because their enthusiasm for ecstatic utterances (tongues) often led to disorder and failed to edify the community. Paul's aim is not to suppress spiritual gifts but to regulate their exercise according to the principle of edification and intelligibility for the benefit of all, ensuring that worship is a communal experience of building one another up in faith and knowledge. This verse also subtly contrasts the nature of God, who communicates clearly and expects orderly worship, against the potential chaos that uncontrolled speaking in tongues could introduce.