I Corinthians 14
1 Be pursuing agape-love, but be being zealous for the spiritual [things], but more that you may be prophesying. 2 For the [one] speaking in [a] tongue does not speak to men but to God. For no one hears1, but he speaks [a] mystery to the spirit. 3 But the [one] prophesying speaks upbuilding and exhortation and consolation to men. 4 The [one] speaking in [a] tongue builds himself, but the [one] prophesying builds up [the] church. 5 So I want you all to be speaking in tongues, but more that you prophesy; for the [one] prophesying is greater than the [one] speaking in tongues, unless he interpret, in order that the church receive upbuilding. 6 But now brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will it profit you, unless I will speak to you either in revelation or in knowledge or in prophecy or teaching? 7 Likewise the psyche-life-less2 [things] giving sound, whether flute or lyre, unless it give distinction of sound, how will the [thing] being fluted or lyred be known? 8 And if [a] trumpet give [an] uncertain sound, who will prepare for war? 9 Thus you also, unless you through the tongue give clear word, how will the [thing] being spoken be known? For you will be speaking into air. 10 Perhaps there are so many kinds of voices in the world, and none is meaningless. 11 If therefore I do not know the power3 of the voice, I will be to the [one] speaking [a] barbarian, and the [one] speaking [will be a] barbarian to me. 12 Thus you also, since you are zealots of spiritual [things], be being zealous for the upbuilding of the assembly4 in order that you be abounding. 13 Therefore let5 the [one] speaking in [a] tongue be praying in order that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in [a] tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What is it therefore? I will pray with the spirit, but I will also pray with the mind. I will sing with the spirit, but I will also sing with the mind. 16 Since, if you bless with the spirit, how will the [one] filling the place of the ungifted [person] say—Amen—at your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you say? 17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not built up. 18 I give thanks to God, I speak in tongues more than all [of you]. 19 But in [the] assembly4 I want to speak five words with my mind, in order that I also inform others, than ten thousand words in [a] tongue. 20 Brothers, do not become children in thinking, but be being [a] child in evil, and in thinking become complete. 21 In the law it is written that:With speaking other tongues
And with other lips will I speak to this people,
And neither thusly will they hear me, says the Lord.
22 So that the tongues for today are not for the believing but for the non-believing, and prophecy is not for the non-believing, but for the believing. 23 If therefore the whole assembly4 come together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted or non-believing [ones] come in, won't they say that you are insane? 24 But if all be prophesying, and some non-believing or ungifted [one] come in, he is convicted by everyone, he is discerned by everyone, 25 the secret [things] of his heart become manifest, and thus having fallen upon [his] face he will worship God, proclaiming that God is really among you. 26 What is it therefore, brothers? When you be coming together, each has [a] song, has [a] teaching, has [a] revelation, has [a] tongue, has [an] interpretation. Let5 everything become for upbuilding. 27 and if anyone speaks in [a] tongue, [let it be] by two or at most three, and in turn, and let5 one interpret. 28 But if there not be [an] interpreter, let5 him be silent in [the] assembly4, let5 him be speaking to himself and to God. 29 Let5 [the] prophets be speaking two or three, and let5 the others judge6. 30 But if there be revelation to another sitting, let5 the first be being silent. 31 For you are all able to be prophesying [one] by one, in order that all learn and all be exhorted. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets, 33 for he is not the God of chaos but of peace. As in all the assemblies4 of the holy [ones], 34 7 Let the women be being silent in the assemblies4, for it is not permitted for them to be speaking, but let5 them be being subject, just as the law says. 35 But if they want to learn something, let5 them be asking their own husbands at home, for it is disgraceful for women to be speaking in the assembly4. 36 Or has the word of God gone out from you [only], or has it come to you only? 37 If anyone supposes he is [a] prophet or spiritual, let5 him know8 that what I write to you is [a] commandment of the Lord. 38 But anyone is ignorant, let5 him be being ignorant9. 39 Therefore, my brothers, be zealous to be prophesying, and be not hindering to be speaking in tongues. 40 But let5 everything come to pass properly and according to order.
1or "understands"
2from PSYCHE (ψυχη): an individual manifestation of life/consciousness. Animals have PSYCHEs as well as humans. Contrast ZOE (ζωη)—Life 'collectively', interdependent, interconnected.
3i.e. meaning
4EKKLESIA (εκκλησια) from "called out". Appears 114 times in the N.T., but only in two places in the Gospels ( Matt.16:18 (twice) and Matt.18:17 (twice)). It's worth noting that when Jesus uses the term EKKLESIA, Christian community as we know it didn't yet exist—there were only the disciples. EKKLESIA is apparently different from 'synagogue' (SYNAGOGE (συναγωγη) which occurs 56 times in the N.T.) EKKLESIA is used in secular Greek literature of a popular assembly 'called to assemble', and also of those 'called' to a cult. EKKLESIA is used frequently in the N.T. outside of the Gospels to refer to Christian communities, but in Acts.7:38 it is used of the people of Israel led through the desert by Moses, and in Acts.19:32 ff. of a secular assembly. Thus, all told, the common translation of EKKLESIA as 'church' doesn't really reflect 1st century usage—it seems to mean more like 'a group of people assembled for some specific purpose'.
5imperative
6or "be judging"
7put vs. 34 & 35 after vs 40: D; txt: p46 ℵB KH
8or "decide"
9"let him be being ignorant" p46B K; "he will be ignored" ℵA