1 Corinthians 14 30

1 Corinthians 14:30 kjv

If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

1 Corinthians 14:30 nkjv

But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent.

1 Corinthians 14:30 niv

And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.

1 Corinthians 14:30 esv

If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent.

1 Corinthians 14:30 nlt

But if someone is prophesying and another person receives a revelation from the Lord, the one who is speaking must stop.

1 Corinthians 14 verses

1 Corinthians 14 30 meaning

1 Corinthians 14:30 provides a practical instruction for prophetic ministry within Christian communal gatherings: if someone is already delivering a prophecy, and a fresh, divinely-sourced revelation is given to another person present, the first speaker is to cease speaking and yield their turn. This ensures that new insights from God are prioritized for the congregation's benefit and maintains an orderly and respectful flow of communication, reflecting God's character as a God of peace, not confusion.

1 Corinthians 14 30 Context

The immediate context of 1 Corinthians 14:30 is Paul's comprehensive instruction to the church in Corinth regarding the proper use of spiritual gifts, especially tongues and prophecy, during their communal worship services. The Corinthians were facing disorder, largely due to an unregulated and self-focused exercise of these gifts, particularly a strong emphasis on speaking in tongues without interpretation. Paul aims to correct these abuses, stressing that while all gifts are valuable, they must be exercised in a way that builds up the entire body of Christ (edification) and maintains an atmosphere of peace and order (v. 26, 33). This verse specifically addresses the sequence of prophetic utterances, ensuring that multiple voices do not speak simultaneously and that a fresh, divinely-given revelation is appropriately honored by requiring the current speaker to yield. The broader historical context reveals a young church in a pagan, Greco-Roman city, grappling with integrating powerful spiritual manifestations with corporate unity and sound doctrine, and learning to apply Christian principles of love, humility, and self-control to their charismatic experiences.

1 Corinthians 14 30 Word analysis

• If (Ἐάν - Ean): This conditional conjunction introduces a potential scenario, signifying that the giving of fresh revelation to someone in the assembly, while another is prophesying, is a real and expected possibility in a Spirit-led gathering, necessitating a prescribed response.
• a revelation (ἀποκαλυφθῇ - apokalyphthē): From the Greek apokalyptō, meaning "to uncover," "disclose," or "make known." This is a passive aorist subjunctive, emphasizing that the revelation originates from God, not from the human agent. It signifies a direct, often sudden, divine communication or insight specifically given by the Holy Spirit. It differentiates this spiritual utterance from prepared messages or general wisdom.
• is made: This highlights the divine initiation and delivery of the message; the individual receives the revelation rather than producing it themselves.
• to another (ἄλλῳ - allō): Dative case, specifying "to another person," distinct from the one currently speaking. This underscores the shared, diverse nature of spiritual gifting and emphasizes that God can speak through multiple individuals sequentially, promoting communal participation rather than single-person dominance.
• sitting by (καθημένῳ - kathēmenō): This is a present participle, literally "to the one sitting." It describes an individual who is currently present, listening, and observing within the assembly, not actively delivering a message. This posture emphasizes that revelation can come to anyone in the congregation, not exclusively to those already prophesying or in official leadership, reinforcing God's accessibility to all members.
• let the first (ὁ πρῶτος - ho prōtos): This refers to the prophet who is presently speaking or prophesying when the new revelation is given to "another." The definite article "ὁ" ("the") specifically identifies this individual as the current speaker.
• keep silent (σιγάτω - sigatō): This is a direct, imperative verb, meaning "let him be silent" or "be quiet." It is a strong command from Paul, indicating an immediate and required cessation of speech. This command demonstrates a profound respect for a fresh divine word and is crucial for maintaining order, demonstrating humility, and allowing the assembly to receive new, Spirit-breathed communication.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "If a revelation is made to another sitting by": This phrase articulates the specific circumstance for the instruction. It portrays the Holy Spirit as active and dynamic, able to give new divine insight to different individuals at any given moment during a service, even when someone else is already ministering. This underlines the spontaneous and sovereign nature of God's communication and the expectation that the church be responsive to His ongoing activity.
• "let the first keep silent": This imperative clause mandates the specific response to the aforementioned condition. It prioritizes the fresh revelation for the edification of the assembly over the continuation of the previous message, even if incomplete. This command requires humility, self-control, and a corporate understanding of worship, demonstrating that prophets, under the influence of the Spirit (as stated in 1 Cor 14:32), are capable of controlling their spiritual expressions to maintain order and respect the move of God through another.

1 Corinthians 14 30 Bonus section

• This instruction is often cited alongside 1 Corinthians 14:32 ("For the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets") to argue against the idea that prophetic utterances are uncontrollable bursts of divine inspiration. Paul clearly implies that prophets have self-control and can choose when to speak and when to be silent.
• The scenario envisioned by Paul suggests a congregational expectation that prophecy is a spontaneous, real-time engagement with God, where the community is collectively attuned to the Spirit's unfolding communication rather than passively listening to a single speaker.
• The phrase "another sitting by" indicates that revelation isn't exclusive to those standing or 'in the pulpit'; God can speak through any member of the gathered assembly, regardless of their role or position, provided they are open and responsive.
• This verse counters any form of spiritual pride or insistence on personal expression, demanding that individual prophets prioritize the flow of the Spirit for the assembly's edification over the completion of their own message.

1 Corinthians 14 30 Commentary

1 Corinthians 14:30 provides a vital, practical directive for fostering an orderly yet dynamic prophetic environment within the church. It instructs that prophets should not speak over one another, nor should an ongoing prophecy overshadow a fresh, divinely-given word. Paul's emphasis is on humility and responsiveness to the Holy Spirit's immediate leading for the collective good of the congregation. The command for the first speaker to "keep silent" illustrates that reverence for God's fresh word and a commitment to communal edification outweigh any personal desire to complete one's utterance. This principle underscores that God is a God of order and peace, and therefore, all spiritual expressions, including spontaneous prophecy, must be exercised with discipline and consideration for the entire body, allowing a diverse yet coherent flow of His Spirit. This rule is not designed to quench the Spirit but to channel His gifts effectively for building up all present.