1 Corinthians 14:13

KJV

Wherefore let him that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue pray that he may interpret.

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore {G1355} let him that speaketh {G2980} in an unknown tongue {G1100} pray {G4336} that {G2443} he may interpret {G1329}.

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.

Commentary

### 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
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the heart of Paul's extended discourse on spiritual gifts in [1 Corinthians chapters 12-14](/1_corinthians/12 "1 Corinthians 12-14 - Spiritual Gifts and Orderly Worship"). Chapters 12 and 13 lay the theological foundation, emphasizing the unity of the Spirit in diverse gifts and the supremacy of love as the motivation for their exercise. Chapter 14 then applies these principles to the practical conduct of worship in the Corinthian church, which was experiencing disorder due to an overemphasis on speaking in tongues without accompanying interpretation. Paul consistently prioritizes gifts that edify the whole church, contrasting uninterpreted tongues (which speak only to God, as noted in [1 Corinthians 14:2](/1_corinthians/14-2 "1 Corinthians 14:2 - Speaking to God in Tongues")) with prophecy, which is directly understandable and builds up the community. Verse 13 directly follows Paul's argument that speaking in tongues without interpretation is unfruitful for the listener, leading him to command the speaker to pray for the ability to interpret. This command reinforces his call for clarity and mutual edification, echoing his point about making speech understandable in [1 Corinthians 14:9](/1_corinthians/14-9 "1 Corinthians 14:9 - Making Speech Clear").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The church in Corinth was a vibrant but problematic community, characterized by internal divisions, moral laxity, and spiritual immaturity, despite being rich in spiritual gifts ([1 Corinthians 1:7](/1_corinthians/1-7 "1 Corinthians 1:7 - Rich in Every Gift")). In the Greco-Roman world, ecstatic utterances were common in pagan cults, often leading to confusion rather than clarity. The Corinthian believers, perhaps influenced by their cultural background or an immature understanding of spiritual power, were apparently valuing the spectacular nature of tongues over its edifying purpose, leading to chaotic worship services where multiple individuals might speak in tongues simultaneously without anyone understanding the message. Paul's letters, particularly [1 Corinthians](/1_corinthians/1 "1 Corinthians - Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians"), address these specific issues, providing apostolic instruction to bring order, love, and spiritual maturity to their gatherings, ensuring that worship truly honored God and built up His people.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme in [1 Corinthians 14](/1_corinthians/14 "1 Corinthians 14 - Order in Worship") is the **edification of the church**. Paul consistently argues that all spiritual gifts, when exercised in public worship, must contribute to the collective spiritual growth, understanding, and instruction of the believers. Uninterpreted tongues, while potentially edifying to the individual speaker, fail to edify the congregation, thus violating this primary principle. This leads to the related theme of **intelligibility and clarity in worship**. Paul insists that if a spiritual utterance cannot be understood, it cannot instruct, encourage, or comfort the listeners ([1 Corinthians 14:6-12](/1_corinthians/14-6-12 "1 Corinthians 14:6-12 - The Importance of Understanding")). Finally, the verse highlights the **responsibility of the speaker**. It places the onus on the individual speaking in tongues to actively pray for the gift of interpretation, demonstrating a personal commitment to ensuring their spiritual expression is beneficial and understandable to the wider community. This theme underscores the importance of exercising gifts with love and consideration for others, as emphasized in [1 Corinthians 13](/1_corinthians/13 "1 Corinthians 13 - The Superiority of Love").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **speaketh (Greek, _laléō'_):** This verb, a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb, means "to talk," "utter words," or "to speak." In the context of spiritual gifts, it refers to the act of uttering divinely inspired words, whether in a known language or, as here, in an unacquired "tongue." Paul uses this term broadly to cover various forms of vocal expression in worship.
* **tongue (Greek, _glōssa'_):** Of uncertain affinity, this noun literally means "the tongue" (the organ of speech). By implication, it refers to a "language," specifically one naturally unacquired. In the context of 1 Corinthians 14, it denotes a supernatural utterance, a divinely given language or sound that is not understood by the hearers without interpretation.
* **interpret (Greek, _diermēneúō'_):** Derived from *dia* (through) and *hermēneuō* (to interpret), this verb means "to explain thoroughly" or "to translate." In this context, it signifies making clear the meaning and message of the utterance in tongues, rendering it understandable to the congregation. It implies not just a literal translation but a full exposition of the spiritual message conveyed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore":** The Greek word *dióper* (G1355) functions as a strong logical connector, meaning "on which very account" or "for this very reason." It signals that what follows is a direct consequence or conclusion drawn from Paul's preceding arguments (especially 1 Corinthians 14:6-12) about the futility of uninterpreted tongues in corporate worship. It underscores the imperative nature of the command that follows.
* **"let him that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue":** This phrase identifies the specific individual to whom the command is directed: a believer exercising the spiritual gift of *glōssa* (tongues). The KJV's bracketed "unknown" clarifies that this is not a known human language to the listeners, necessitating interpretation. Paul's focus is on the public exercise of this gift, where its incomprehensibility would hinder corporate edification.
* **"pray that he may interpret":** This is the core command. The speaker in tongues is enjoined to *proseúchomai* (to pray to God, supplicate) for the ability to *diermēneúō* (to interpret or explain thoroughly) their own utterance. This implies that the gift of tongues and the gift of interpretation are distinct, though they can reside in the same person. It places the responsibility on the speaker to seek the means by which their gift can become beneficial to the entire assembly, demonstrating a Spirit-led desire for order and edification.

#### 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](/1_corinthians/14 "1 Corinthians 14 - Order in Worship") 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.

* [1 Corinthians 12:7](/1_corinthians/12-7 "1 Corinthians 12:7 - Gifts for the Common Good"): "But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."
* [1 Corinthians 14:5](/1_corinthians/14-5 "1 Corinthians 14:5 - Prophecy is Greater than Tongues Without Interpretation"): "I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified."
* [Ephesians 4:11-12](/ephesians/4-11-12 "Ephesians 4:11-12 - Equipping the Saints for Ministry"): "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ."

### 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
* **In what ways might I be exercising my spiritual gifts or communicating my faith in a manner that is not fully understandable or edifying to others?**
* **How can I actively pray for and seek greater clarity and effectiveness in my spiritual contributions to my local church or community?**
* **What steps can our church take to ensure that all public expressions of faith prioritize intelligibility and corporate edification, in line with Paul's teaching?**

### 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](/acts/2 "Acts 2 - The Day of Pentecost")), 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](/1_corinthians/14-13 "1 Corinthians 14:13 - Pray to Interpret"), 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](/1_corinthians/14-28 "1 Corinthians 14:28 - Silence Without Interpreter")). 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](/john/1-1-18 "John 1:1-18 - The Word Became Flesh"), [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")). 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](/ephesians/4-7-8 "Ephesians 4:7-8 - Christ Gives Gifts to His Church")) for the purpose of building up His body until it reaches maturity in Him ([Ephesians 4:13](/ephesians/4-13 "Ephesians 4:13 - Unity in the Faith")). 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.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 12:30

Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

Mark 11:24

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive [them], and ye shall have [them].

1 Corinthians 14:27

If any man speak in an [unknown] tongue, [let it be] by two, or at the most [by] three, and [that] by course; and let one interpret.

1 Corinthians 14:28

But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

Acts 1:14

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Acts 8:15

Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

1 Corinthians 12:10

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: