1 Corinthians

Prophecy and Arcane Languages

Seek love first and pursue your passions for spiritual gifts, especially prophecy.

The one who speaks in tongues does not speak to people but to God, since no one understands him; the Spirit enables him to say things that are unintelligible.

But the prophet, on the other hand, speaks to all people to encourage, uplift, and comfort them.

The one who speaks in tongues strengthens himself, but the prophet edifies the church.

I would like all of you to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The prophet has an advantage over someone who speaks in tongues unless someone explains what was spoken so the community can benefit.

Suppose, brothers and sisters, I come to you and speak in tongues; what good will it do if I do not bring you some revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or teaching?

When someone plays the flute, harp, or any other musical instrument, if there are no melodies or notes, who will recognize the tune?

And if the bugle call isn’t clear, who will prepare for battle?

The same applies to you. If your words are not understood, who will know what you are saying? You’ll be talking to the moon!

There are many languages in the world, and each one has meaning,

but if I can’t find any meaning in what is said, I become a stranger to the speaker and the speaker becomes a stranger to me.

As you desire spiritual gifts, be eager to build the Church, and you will receive generously.

Because of this, those who speak in tongues should ask God for the ability to explain what they say.

When I pray in tongues, my spirit prays, but my mind remains inactive. What should I do then? I will pray with the spirit and also with my understanding.

I will sing with the spirit and also with my mind.

If you praise God only with your spirit, how can an ordinary person say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they don’t understand what you are saying?

Your thanksgiving may be beautiful, but it is meaningless to others.

I thank God because I speak in tongues more than all of you.

However, when I gather with the church, I prefer to say five clear words from my mind to teach others rather than ten thousand words in tongues.

Brothers and sisters, do not think like children. Be infants in evil, but be mature in your thinking.

God says in the law:

I will speak to this people

through those speaking in tongues

and through the lips of foreigners,

but still, they will not listen to me.

So, speaking in tongues is a sign for those who refuse to believe, not for those who believe; while prophecy is a sign for those who believe, not for those who refuse to believe.

Imagine the whole church gathering and everyone is speaking in tongues when unbelievers and uninformed people walk in. What would they think? That you are crazy.

Instead, imagine each of you speaks as a prophet; as soon as an unbeliever or someone uninformed enters, all of you call him to account and reveal his deepest thoughts.

Then, falling on his face, he would be encouraged to worship God and declare that God’s presence is among you.

What then shall we conclude, brothers and sisters? When you gather, each of you can participate with a song, a teaching, or a revelation, by speaking in tongues or interpreting what has been said in tongues. But let all of these things edify the Church.

Are you going to speak in tongues? Let two or three people at most speak, each in turn, and let someone interpret what has been said.

If there is no interpreter, keep quiet in the assembly and speak to God quietly.

Regarding the prophets, let two or three speak, and the others comment on what has been said.

If a revelation comes to one of those sitting nearby, let the first remain silent.

Even all of you could prophesy, one by one, for the instruction and encouragement of everyone.

The spirits, speaking through prophets, are submitted to prophets

because God is not a God of confusion, but of peace.As in all the churches of the saints

let women remain silent in the gatherings. They are not allowed to speak. Let them be submissive, as the law instructs.

If they want to learn something, let them ask their husbands at home, for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.

Did the word of God perhaps come from you? Or did it come only to you?

Anyone among you claiming to be a prophet or a spiritual person should recognize that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.

Anyone who does not recognize this is not to be recognized.

So, my friends, pursue the gift of prophecy and do not prohibit speaking in tongues. However, everything should be done properly and in an orderly manner.