1 Corinthians 14 2

1 Corinthians 14:2 kjv

For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

1 Corinthians 14:2 nkjv

For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

1 Corinthians 14:2 niv

For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 14:2 esv

For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 14:2 nlt

For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won't be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious.

1 Corinthians 14 verses

1 Corinthians 14 2 meaning

This verse explains the primary nature and purpose of speaking in tongues without an interpreter: it is direct communication between an individual and God, not a message intended for human understanding. The person speaking utters spiritual truths, or "mysteries," under the influence of the Holy Spirit, which remain incomprehensible to human hearers. It emphasizes a vertical communication channel rather than a horizontal one for congregational edification, highlighting the intimate, private aspect of this gift unless an interpretation is provided.

1 Corinthians 14 2 Context

1 Corinthians 14 addresses the chaotic state of public worship in the Corinthian church, specifically concerning the use of spiritual gifts, especially prophecy and speaking in tongues. Paul aims to restore order and emphasize the primary purpose of spiritual gifts: the edification of the church. Chapters 12-14 form a unit discussing spiritual gifts, their diversity, unity, and proper exercise. Chapter 13, on love, is nestled between these, signifying that love must be the motive behind all gift usage. Verse 2 specifically clarifies that uninterpreted tongues are a communication to God, thus making them unintelligible and unedifying to other people present, laying the groundwork for Paul's subsequent instructions on prioritizing gifts that build up the entire community (like prophecy) over those that only benefit the individual unless interpreted. Culturally, Corinth was a cosmopolitan city where ecstatic speech and mystery religions were known, and some Corinthian believers may have confused these practices with true Spirit-inspired gifts, using them for personal show rather than corporate benefit. Paul's correction here implicitly addresses such potential misuse.

1 Corinthians 14 2 Word analysis

• For anyone who speaks (γλώσσῃ λαλῶν, glōssē lalōn): glōssē (tongue) can refer to the physical organ, a language, or a divinely imparted, unlearned language. Here, it denotes a spiritual utterance distinct from common speech. lalōn (speaking) is present participle, implying continuous action. This establishes the subject of the verse as one engaging in the gift of speaking in tongues.
• in a tongue (γλώσσῃ, glōssē): Refers to glossolalia, a spiritual gift (1 Cor 12:10, 30). This particular "tongue" is explicitly stated not to be understood by humans in the subsequent clause, contrasting with the intelligible languages heard at Pentecost (Acts 2:4-11). It's an unearthly language or one not understood by human hearers.
• does not speak to people (οὐκ ἀνθρώποις λαλεῖ, ouk anthrōpois lalei): anthrōpois (people) indicates humanity in general. The negative ouk firmly states the direct audience is not other humans. This immediately establishes the fundamental boundary for the gift: its communicative direction is vertical.
• but to God (ἀλλὰ Θεῷ, alla Theō): Theō (God) is in the dative case, marking Him as the recipient. This is the positive counter-statement, specifying the true audience. The communication is exclusively with God when uninterpreted, making it a form of personal prayer or praise.
• Indeed, no one understands them (οὐδεὶς γὰρ ἀκούει, oudeis gar akouei): oudeis (no one) is absolute. akouei (hears, understands, comprehends) further clarifies the lack of human comprehension. This reinforces why it is not directed to people; they cannot grasp its meaning. This confirms the incomprehensibility aspect of this specific manifestation of tongues in the Corinthian context.
• they utter mysteries (μυστήρια λαλεῖ, mystēria lalei): mystēria (mysteries) refers to divinely hidden truths now being revealed or expressed through the Spirit, often in ways human minds cannot fully process. The plural suggests diverse spiritual truths. The person is speaking things hidden from human intellect.
• by the Spirit (πνεύματι, pneumati): pneumati (Spirit) is dative, indicating the Holy Spirit as the instrument, means, or sphere of utterance. This confirms the divine origin of the communication, even though it bypasses human understanding. The gift is genuinely from God, not an earthly language or mere gibberish.

1 Corinthians 14 2 Bonus section

The concept of "mysteries" (μυστήρια) in the New Testament generally refers to truths previously hidden by God but now revealed, especially concerning the plan of salvation in Christ (Col 1:26; Eph 3:3-5). When Paul says one utters "mysteries by the Spirit" in tongues, it implies that profound divine truths are indeed being expressed, even if the human speaker's mind (and all hearers) doesn't understand them. This elevates tongues beyond mere unintelligible sounds, affirming its divine origin and content, even as it underscores its limitation for public instruction. This highlights a dimension where the spirit of the individual connects directly with the divine mind, a form of spiritual communion beyond rational comprehension, similar to the Spirit interceding for us with inexpressible groanings (Rom 8:26-27). This distinguishes biblical glossolalia from the often frenzied or ritualistic ecstatic speech found in various mystery religions of the ancient world, which were typically viewed as a direct message from a deity to the participants, but which Paul states here is to God.

1 Corinthians 14 2 Commentary

1 Corinthians 14:2 clarifies the fundamental nature of speaking in tongues without an interpreter: it is direct, vertical communication with God. The speaker, empowered by the Holy Spirit, utters profound spiritual "mysteries" that are incomprehensible to other human beings. Paul explicitly contrasts this with speaking to people (which prophecy accomplishes in the next verse). While an authentic spiritual gift, its uninterpreted use in a congregational setting does not edify others, as no one understands what is being said. Its primary value in this form is for personal communication with God, leading to self-edification (1 Cor 14:4) or functioning as a spiritual language for prayer (1 Cor 14:14-15) and praise (Acts 10:46). Therefore, it serves an individual, rather than corporate, function when interpretation is absent, thus setting up Paul's argument for prioritizing gifts that build up the collective body of believers.