


1 Corinthians 14:15
Bible Versions
¶ What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
So, what about it? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.
What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
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Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. -
Ephesians 6:18
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; -
John 4:23
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. -
John 4:24
God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth. -
Ephesians 5:17
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord [is]. -
Ephesians 5:20
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; -
Jude 1:20
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
1 Corinthians 14:15 KJV offers profound insight into the nature of spiritual worship, emphasizing the critical balance between spiritual inspiration and rational understanding. Paul, addressing the Corinthian church's practices regarding spiritual gifts, particularly speaking in tongues, advocates for a worship that engages both the heart and the mind.
Context
This verse is situated within a broader discussion in 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14 concerning spiritual gifts, their proper use, and their purpose within the Christian community. The Corinthian believers were eager for spiritual manifestations, but often lacked order and an understanding of how these gifts should serve to edify the church. Paul previously highlights the supremacy of love in 1 Corinthians 13, setting the stage for how gifts should be exercised. Here, he moves to practical application, stressing that public worship must be intelligible and beneficial to all present, not just the individual.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
Practical Application
For believers today, 1 Corinthians 14:15 serves as a timeless guide for engaging in worship. It encourages us to:
This verse reminds us that genuine spiritual expression, when combined with thoughtful comprehension, leads to powerful and unifying worship that truly glorifies God and builds up His people.