TRV
Translation
King James Version
Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
Complete Jewish Bible
Therefore someone who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret.
Berean Standard Bible
Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.
American Standard Version
Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
World English Bible Messianic
Therefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may interpret.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Wherefore, let him that speaketh a strange tongue, pray, that he may interprete.
Young's Literal Translation
wherefore he who is speaking in an unknown tongue--let him pray that he may interpret;
See also
See on the biblical-era map
In the KJVVerse 28,692 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14 verses 6–14
6 ¶ Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
In this paragraph he goes on to show how vain a thing the ostentation of speaking unknown and unintelligible language must be. It was altogether unedifying and unprofitable (Co1 14:6): If I come to you speaking with tongues, what will it profit you, unless I speak to you by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? It would signify nothing to utter any of these in an unknown tongue. An apostle, with all his furniture, could not edify, unless he spoke to the capacity of his hearers. New revelations, the most clear explications of old ones, the most instructive discourses in themselves, would be unprofitable in a language not understood. Nay, interpretations of scripture made in an unknown tongue would need to be interpreted over again, before they could be of any use.
I. He illustrates this by several allusions. 1. To a pipe and a harp playing always in one tone. Of what use can this be to those who are dancing? If there be no distinction of sounds, how should they order their steps or motions? Unintelligible language is like piping or harping without distinction of sounds: it gives no more direction how a man should order his conversation than a pipe with but one stop or a harp with but one string can direct a dancer how he should order his steps, Co1 14:7. 2. To a trumpet giving an uncertain sound, adēlon phōnēn, a sound not manifest; either not the proper sound for the purpose, or not distinct enough to be discerned from every other sound. If, instead of sounding on onset, it sounded a retreat, or sounded one knew not what, who would prepare for the battle? To talk in an unknown language in a Christian assembly is altogether as vain and to no purpose as for a trumpet to give no certain sound in the field or day of battle. The army in one case, and the congregation in the other, must be all in suspense, and at a perfect nonplus. To speak words that have no significancy to those who hear them is to leave them ignorant of what is spoken; it is speaking to the air, Co1 14:9. Words without a meaning can convey no notion nor instruction to the mind; and words not understood have no meaning with those who do not understand them: to talk to them in such language is to waste our breath. 3. He compares the speaking in an unknown tongue to the gibberish of barbarians. There are, as he says (Co1 14:10), many kinds of voices in the world, none of which is without its proper signification. This is true of the several languages spoken by different nations. All of them have their proper signification. Without this they would be phōnai aphōnoi - a voice, and no voice. For that is no language, nor can it answer the end of speaking, which has no meaning. But whatever proper signification the words of any language may have in themselves, and to those who understand them, they are perfect gibberish to men of another language, who understand them not. In this case, speaker and hearers are barbarians to each other (Co1 14:11), they talk and hear only sounds without sense; for this is to be a barbarian. For thus says the polite Ovid, when banished into Pontus,
Barbarus hic ego sum, quia non intelligor ulli,
I am a barbarian here, none understand me.
To speak in the church in an unknown tongue is to talk gibberish; it is to play the barbarian; it is to confound the audience, instead of instructing them; and for this reason is utterly vain and unprofitable.
II. Having thus established his point, in the two next verses he applies, 1. By advising them to be chiefly desirous of those gifts that were most for the church's edification, Co1 14:12. "Forasmuch as you are zealous of spiritual gifts, this way it will become commendable zeal, be zealous to edify the church, to promote Christian knowledge and practice, and covet those gifts most that will do the best service to men's souls." This is the great rule he gives, which, 2. He applies to the matter in hand, that, if they did speak a foreign language, they should beg of God the gift of interpreting it, Co1 14:13. That these were different gifts, see Co1 12:10. Those might speak and understand a foreign language who could not readily translate it into their own: and yet was this necessary to the church's edification; for the church must understand, that it might be edified, which yet it could not do till the foreign language was translated into its own. Let him therefore pray for the gift of interpreting what he speaks in an unknown tongue; or rather covet and ask of God the gift of interpreting than of speaking in a language that needs interpretation, this being most for the church's benefit, and therefore among the gifts that excel; vide Co1 14:12. Some understand it, "Let him pray so as to interpret what he utters in prayer in a language unintelligible without it." The sum is that they should perform all religious exercises in their assemblies so that all might join in them and profit by them. 3. He enforces this advice with a proper reason, that, if he prayed in an unknown tongue, his spirit might pray, that is, a spiritual gift might be exercised in prayer, or his own mind might be devoutly engaged, but his understanding would be unfruitful (Co1 14:14), that is, the sense and meaning of his words would be unfruitful, he would not be understood, nor therefore would others join with him in his devotions. Note, It should be the concern of such as pray in public to pray intelligibly, not in a foreign language, nor in a language that, if it be not foreign, is above the level of his audience. Language that is most obvious and easy to be understood is the most proper for public devotion and other religious exercises.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 6–14. Public domain.
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Clement of AlexandriaAD 215
The Stromata Book 1
The apostle thus speaks: "So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue a word easy to be understood, how shall ye know what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. There are, it may be, so many kind of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me." And, "Let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret."
Origen of AlexandriaAD 253
COMMENTARY ON 1 CORINTHIANS 4.61-62
If the one who speaks in tongues does not have the power to interpret them, others will not understand, but he will know what he was moved by the Spirit to say. When this is understood by others as well, there will be fruit from it. Here as elsewhere, we are taught to seek the common good of the church.
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily on 1 Corinthians 35
"Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may interpret."
Here he shows that it is in their power to obtain the gift. For, "let him pray," saith he, i.e., "let him contribute his own part," since if thou ask diligently, thou wilt surely receive. Ask accordingly not to have the gift of tongue only, but also of interpretation, that thou mayest become useful unto all, and not shut up thy gift in thyself alone.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
First Corinthians 14:13 is a crucial directive within Paul's broader discussion on spiritual gifts, particularly emphasizing the necessity of intelligibility and corporate edification in the Christian assembly. It instructs believers who possess the gift of speaking in tongues to actively seek and pray for the complementary gift of interpretation, thereby ensuring that their divinely inspired utterances can be understood and benefit the entire congregation, aligning with the overarching purpose of all spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Paul employs Imperative Mood in this verse ("let him... pray"), issuing a direct command that underscores the urgency and necessity of interpretation for the proper exercise of the gift of tongues in public worship. This command functions as a Corrective Instruction, addressing the disorder and lack of edification prevalent in the Corinthian church. There is an implied Contrast throughout 1 Corinthians 14 between the private benefit of uninterpreted tongues and the public benefit of prophecy or interpreted tongues, highlighting Paul's consistent emphasis on the latter for corporate growth. The use of "tongue" (Greek, glōssa) itself functions as Metonymy, where the physical organ of speech stands for the supernatural utterance or language produced.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The theological thrust of 1 Corinthians 14:13 is deeply rooted in the New Testament's understanding of the church as the body of Christ, where diverse gifts are given by the Spirit for the common good and mutual edification. Paul's directive underscores that spiritual manifestations in public worship are not merely for individual experience or display, but primarily for the building up of the community. This principle extends beyond the specific gift of tongues to all forms of ministry and communication within the church, emphasizing that clarity, understanding, and love must govern all expressions of faith. When gifts are exercised intelligibly, they foster unity, instruct believers, and bear witness effectively to outsiders, reflecting God's nature as a God of order, not confusion.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
First Corinthians 14:13 serves as a timeless principle for all Christian communication and ministry. It challenges us to consider the impact of our spiritual expressions on others, urging us to prioritize clarity and edification over personal experience or display. Whether we are teaching, preaching, leading worship, or simply sharing our faith, the question should always be: "Is this understandable and beneficial to those who are listening?" This verse calls us to a humble and selfless exercise of our gifts, seeking to serve the body of Christ effectively. It encourages us to pray not just for the gifts themselves, but for the wisdom and means to use them in a way that truly builds up, instructs, and encourages fellow believers, fostering a worship environment where all can grow in knowledge and devotion.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "unknown tongue" mean in this context?
Answer: The KJV's addition of "unknown" in brackets clarifies that the "tongue" (Greek: glōssa) referred to here is a supernatural utterance, a divinely inspired language or sound that is not naturally acquired or understood by the hearers without divine interpretation. It is distinct from speaking in a foreign language that is known to some in the audience (as seen in Acts 2), but rather refers to an ecstatic utterance that requires a special spiritual gift of interpretation to be made intelligible to the congregation. Paul's concern is that without interpretation, such utterances do not edify the church.
Is the gift of interpretation always necessary for speaking in tongues?
Answer: According to 1 Corinthians 14:13, for the public exercise of the gift of tongues in a church gathering, interpretation is absolutely necessary for the utterance to be beneficial and edifying to the congregation. Paul states that if there is no interpreter, the one who speaks in a tongue should keep silent in the church and speak only to himself and to God (1 Corinthians 14:28). This highlights that while individual edification through speaking in tongues may occur privately, corporate edification requires intelligibility.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
First Corinthians 14:13, though addressing a specific spiritual gift, points to the broader Christ-centered reality of God's desire for clear communication and the edification of His people. Christ Himself is the ultimate interpreter and revealer of God's truth, the Logos through whom God speaks to humanity (John 1:1-18, Hebrews 1:1-2). He came to make known the Father, to interpret divine mysteries in human terms, so that all might understand and be saved. The gifts of the Spirit, including tongues and interpretation, are given by the ascended Christ to His church (Ephesians 4:7-8) for the purpose of building up His body until it reaches maturity in Him (Ephesians 4:13). Thus, the call for interpretation in 1 Corinthians 14:13 reflects Christ's own mission to bring clarity, understanding, and unity to His people, ensuring that His divine message is not obscured but powerfully proclaimed and comprehended for the glory of God and the growth of His church.