1 Corinthians 14:31 kjv
For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
1 Corinthians 14:31 nkjv
For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.
1 Corinthians 14:31 niv
For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
1 Corinthians 14:31 esv
For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged,
1 Corinthians 14:31 nlt
In this way, all who prophesy will have a turn to speak, one after the other, so that everyone will learn and be encouraged.
1 Corinthians 14 31 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 14:31 | you may all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn | Guidance on orderly prophecy |
| 1 Thess 5:20-21 | do not despise prophecies, but test everything | Test all things |
| Acts 17:11 | they examined the scriptures daily to see if these things were so | Bereans' diligence |
| Matt 7:15-20 | by their fruits you will recognize them | Discernment by character |
| 1 John 4:1 | test the spirits to see whether they are from God | Discernment of spirits |
| Eph 4:11-14 | equipping of the saints, for the building up of the body | Purpose of spiritual gifts |
| Rom 12:6 | gifts differing according to the grace given to us | Variety of gifts |
| 1 Cor 12:7-11 | to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good | Spirit's purpose |
| Gal 5:22-23 | fruit of the Spirit | Evidence of the Spirit |
| Jer 23:16, 22 | do not listen to the prophets... if they had stood in my council | False prophecy criteria |
| Deut 18:21-22 | how are we to know the word the LORD has not spoken? | Identifying false prophecy |
| Isa 8:20 | to the testimony and to the law! | Standard of truth |
| Ps 119:105 | Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path | Scripture as guide |
| John 5:39 | you search the Scriptures | Scripture's authority |
| Rom 15:4 | whatever was written before was written for our learning | Scripture for instruction |
| 2 Tim 3:16-17 | All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching | Scripture's sufficiency |
| Col 3:16 | Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly | Christ's word within us |
| Heb 5:12-14 | for everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced in the word | Spiritual maturity needed |
| Prov 27:17 | Iron sharpens iron | Mutual refinement |
| 1 Cor 14:3-5 | prophesies edification, exhortation, and comfort | Effect of prophecy |
| 1 Cor 14:19 | five intellectual words rather than ten thousand words | Value of understanding |
| 1 Cor 14:23, 29 | unbeliever or an outsider. but all will be convicted | Impact on outsiders |
1 Corinthians 14 verses
1 Corinthians 14 31 Meaning
Every prophecy should be judged by the ability of the recipients to understand it.
1 Corinthians 14 31 Context
This verse is part of a larger discourse in 1 Corinthians 14 regarding the proper use of spiritual gifts, particularly prophecy and speaking in tongues, within the church gathering. Paul is advocating for a structured and understandable service, emphasizing that the ultimate goal is the edification of the entire congregation. He contrasts the intelligibility of prophecy with the unintelligibility of unknown tongues, unless interpreted. This specific verse is a concluding statement that encapsulates the ideal for prophetic communication: clarity and shared learning. The historical context involves the vibrant, and sometimes chaotic, worship services of the early Corinthian church, where various spiritual gifts were exercised, leading to potential disorder.
1 Corinthians 14 31 Word Analysis
you (ὑμεῖς - humeis): Second person plural pronoun, referring to all believers present.
may (δύνασθε - dunasthe): Verb "dunamai," meaning "to be able," "to have power," indicating a potential or capability.
all (πάντες - pantes): All persons, without exception within the congregation.
prophesy (προφητεύωσι - propheteuousi): Third person plural present active subjunctive of "propheteuo," meaning to speak forth God's message, to foretell, or to explain divine truth.
one by one (εἷς ἑκάστος - heis hekastos): Each one individually, in turn. Implies an orderly progression, not simultaneous speaking.
so that (ἵνα - hina): Purpose conjunction, introducing the result or aim of the action.
all (πάντες - pantes): All individuals in the assembly.
may learn (μανθάνωσιν - manthanousin): Third person plural present active subjunctive of "manthano," meaning to learn, understand, be taught.
all (καὶ - kai): and/or also, connecting to "all may be instructed."
may be instructed (καὶ πάντες - kai pantes) (followed by κατηχέω - katecheō, often translated as "instructed" or "taught"): Second part of the consequence, the people being taught. The intent is for full instruction.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "all may prophesy one by one": Emphasizes both universality (everyone having the capacity to share God's word in an orderly fashion) and distinctiveness (individual contribution, not a jumbled chorus). This counters potential abuses where uncontrolled outbursts might occur.
- "so that all may learn and all may be instructed": Highlights the dual outcome of prophecy: learning for the individual prophet and instruction/comprehension for the entire body. The repetition of "all" stresses that no one should be left out of this shared spiritual experience and understanding.
1 Corinthians 14 31 Bonus Section
The emphasis on "all may learn" implies that the prophecy is meant to be comprehensible to the entire congregation, including new believers or visitors. This standard would weed out any prophetic pronouncements that are obscure, overly personal, or beyond the common understanding of the church. The systematic structure of allowing "one by one" directly addresses potential disorder, as seen in the context of the Corinthian church's tendency towards spiritual free-for-all. The underlying principle is that spiritual gifts are given for the building up of the church (1 Cor 14:26), and their exercise must always serve this purpose of common good and clear communication.
1 Corinthians 14 31 Commentary
This verse is pivotal for understanding Paul's regulation of charismatic gifts. He asserts that prophetic utterance is intended for teaching and learning within the community. The capacity for everyone to speak sequentially, rather than simultaneously or in unintelligible utterances, ensures that the message can be received and processed by all listeners. The goal is mutual edification and spiritual growth for the whole church, not a performance or a private experience. It's about comprehensible communication that leads to shared understanding and transformation.