1 Corinthians 14:18

KJV

I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

KJV (with Strong's)

I thank {G2168} my {G3450} God {G2316}, I speak {G2980} with tongues {G1100} more than {G3123} ye {G5216} all {G3956}:

Complete Jewish Bible

I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you,

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

I thank God, I speak with tongues more than you all:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 14:18, the Apostle Paul makes a deeply personal declaration regarding his own extensive experience with the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues. This statement serves as a strategic and authoritative preface to his detailed instructions concerning the proper use and regulation of spiritual gifts within the chaotic Corinthian church, establishing his credibility as one who intimately understands the very phenomena he is seeking to order.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Paul's profound and practical discourse on spiritual gifts in [1 Corinthians 12-14](/1_corinthians/12-14 "1 Corinthians 12-14 - Spiritual Gifts, Love, and Order"). Having established the unity of the Spirit in the diversity of gifts in [1 Corinthians 12](/1_corinthians/12 "1 Corinthians 12 - Unity and Diversity of Gifts") and exalted love as the "most excellent way" in the pivotal [1 Corinthians 13](/1_corinthians/13 "1 Corinthians 13 - The Way of Love"), Paul transitions in [1 Corinthians 14](/1_corinthians/14 "1 Corinthians 14 - Order in Worship") to the practical application and regulation of these gifts within the corporate gathering. The Corinthian church was experiencing significant disorder, particularly regarding the public exercise of tongues without interpretation, leading to confusion and a lack of edification. Paul's personal testimony in verse 18 immediately precedes his detailed instructions on prioritizing prophecy (which is understandable and edifying) over uninterpreted tongues in public worship, underscoring that his guidance comes from a place of personal experience, not ignorance or opposition to the gift itself.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan hub known for its diverse religious practices, including various forms of ecstatic utterances associated with pagan cults. This environment likely influenced the Corinthian believers, who may have brought pre-Christian understandings of spiritual experiences into the church, leading to an emphasis on sensational or individualistic displays of gifts, particularly tongues. There was a strong cultural emphasis on public display and personal status, which could have contributed to the misuse of spiritual gifts for self-aggrandizement rather than communal benefit. Paul's letter addresses a church struggling with internal divisions, moral laxity, and a misunderstanding of Christian liberty and corporate worship. His instructions are designed to bring order, promote genuine spiritual growth, and distinguish Christian charismatic expression from pagan ecstatic practices, ensuring that all activities contribute to the [edification of the body of Christ](/ephesians/4-12 "Ephesians 4:12 - Building Up the Body of Christ").
* **Key Themes:** Paul's statement in [1 Corinthians 14:18](/1_corinthians/14-18 "1 Corinthians 14:18 - Paul's Proficiency in Tongues") contributes to several overarching themes in 1 Corinthians. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **legitimacy and authenticity of spiritual gifts**, affirming that tongues, when properly understood and exercised, are indeed a divine endowment. Secondly, it lays the groundwork for the theme of **order and edification in corporate worship**, as Paul's personal proficiency allows him to speak authoritatively about the necessity of regulating the gift for the common good, as articulated in [1 Corinthians 14:26](/1_corinthians/14-26 "1 Corinthians 14:26 - Everything for Edification"). Thirdly, it subtly highlights the theme of **humility and self-control** in the exercise of powerful spiritual gifts, contrasting his personal practice with the Corinthians' potentially disorderly public displays. Paul models that even profound spiritual experiences should be submitted to the principles of love and order, ensuring that all things are done "decently and in order" as he concludes in [1 Corinthians 14:40](/1_corinthians/14-40 "1 Corinthians 14:40 - Let All Things Be Done Decently and in Order").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **thank (Greek, _eucharistéō'_):** This verb (G2168) means "to be grateful" or "to express gratitude." Paul's opening "I thank my God" indicates a profound sense of divine enablement and blessing for his gift of tongues. It frames his subsequent statement not as a boast, but as an expression of gratitude to God for the spiritual endowment he possesses.
* **speak (Greek, _laléō'_):** The verb (G2980) means "to talk" or "to utter words." In the context of spiritual gifts, it refers to the act of vocalizing inspired utterances. Here, it specifically denotes the act of speaking in tongues, emphasizing the verbal and audible nature of the gift Paul is describing.
* **tongues (Greek, _glōssa'_):** This noun (G1100) literally means "tongue," but in this context, it refers to a language, specifically one naturally unacquired by the speaker. This can denote either a known human language (as seen at [Pentecost in Acts 2:4](/acts/2-4 "Acts 2:4 - Speaking in Tongues at Pentecost")) or a divinely inspired, non-human utterance, often referred to as "heavenly languages" or "angelic tongues" (cf. [1 Corinthians 13:1](/1_corinthians/13-1 "1 Corinthians 13:1 - Speaking with Tongues of Men and of Angels")). Paul's usage throughout 1 Corinthians 14 suggests he is primarily referring to utterances not naturally understood by the hearers without interpretation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I thank my God":** Paul begins with an expression of profound gratitude to God. This opening phrase immediately sets a humble and reverent tone, indicating that his ability to speak in tongues is a divine gift, not a personal achievement. It also preempts any accusation of boasting, framing his subsequent statement as a testimony to God's grace.
* **"I speak with tongues":** This clause is a direct and unequivocal personal affirmation. Paul declares his active and ongoing practice of the spiritual gift of glossolalia. This statement is crucial for establishing his credibility and authority to address the Corinthian church's issues with the gift, demonstrating that he speaks from personal, extensive experience rather than theoretical knowledge or prejudice against the gift itself.
* **"more than ye all":** This emphatic comparative phrase highlights the extraordinary extent of Paul's personal experience with speaking in tongues. While not necessarily a literal, quantifiable boast, it conveys that his practice of the gift was more frequent or profound than that of any single individual or even the collective experience of the Corinthians. This establishes his unique position to provide authoritative instruction on the gift's proper use, as he understands its power and potential more deeply than those he is addressing.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several significant **Literary Devices** in this concise declaration. Firstly, it functions as a powerful **Personal Testimony**, where Paul directly asserts his own spiritual experience. This personal disclosure serves to establish his **Ethos** or credibility; he is not an outsider condemning a practice he does not understand, but an authoritative apostle who himself possesses the gift in abundance. This lends significant weight to his subsequent instructions. The phrase "more than ye all" can be interpreted as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Emphasis**, not necessarily a literal count, but a rhetorical device to underscore the vastness of his personal engagement with the gift. This emphasis serves to disarm potential critics who might accuse him of downplaying the gift because he lacked it. By affirming his own proficiency, Paul strategically positions himself as a knowledgeable guide, enabling him to transition seamlessly into his detailed regulations for the gift's proper use without being perceived as dismissive of its spiritual value.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Paul's personal declaration in 1 Corinthians 14:18 underscores a vital theological truth: spiritual gifts are genuinely bestowed by God for His purposes, and their value is not diminished by their misuse. Paul, a paragon of apostolic ministry, possessed this gift in abundance, demonstrating that it was a legitimate manifestation of the Holy Spirit's power. His experience serves as a foundational example that while personal spiritual experiences can be deeply enriching for the individual (as he implies in [1 Corinthians 14:4](/1_corinthians/14-4 "1 Corinthians 14:4 - He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself")), the ultimate measure of a gift's value in a communal setting is its contribution to the edification and order of the entire body of Christ. This verse thus connects to the broader biblical understanding of divine empowerment for service and the Spirit's distribution of diverse gifts for the common good.

* [1 Corinthians 12:4-11](/1_corinthians/12-4-11 "1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - Diversity of Spiritual Gifts")
* [Acts 2:4](/acts/2-4 "Acts 2:4 - Speaking in Tongues at Pentecost")
* [Romans 12:6](/romans/12-6 "Romans 12:6 - Gifts According to Grace")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 14:18 offers profound insights for believers today. It reminds us that spiritual gifts are real, diverse, and divinely given, and that personal spiritual experiences can be a legitimate and enriching part of our walk with God. However, Paul's subsequent instructions in 1 Corinthians 14, following this personal declaration, emphasize that the exercise of these gifts, especially in public worship, must always be governed by the principles of love, order, and edification. Our personal spiritual practices, no matter how profound, should never detract from the clarity, understanding, and spiritual growth of the wider community. This verse challenges us to cultivate our individual gifts with gratitude, but always with a discerning heart that prioritizes the health and building up of the church, ensuring that all we do contributes to the common good and glorifies God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Paul's personal example of having an abundant gift of tongues, yet prioritizing prophecy in public worship, challenge my understanding of spiritual gifts?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to prioritize personal spiritual experiences over the edification and understanding of others in a communal setting?**
* **How can I cultivate a spirit of gratitude for my own spiritual gifts, while also ensuring their exercise is always governed by love and order?**
* **What does Paul's approach teach me about humility and authority when discussing sensitive spiritual matters within the church?**

### FAQ

**Is Paul boasting when he says he speaks with tongues more than anyone else?**

Answer: While the phrasing "more than ye all" might sound like boasting, Paul's intent is not self-aggrandizement. Instead, it serves a strategic rhetorical purpose. By declaring his extensive personal experience with tongues, Paul establishes his credibility and authority to speak on the subject. He is not an outsider condemning a gift he doesn't possess, but an apostle who intimately understands its power and potential. This personal testimony disarms potential critics and lends weight to his subsequent instructions on the proper, orderly, and edifying use of spiritual gifts within the church, particularly in public worship (see [1 Corinthians 14:26-33](/1_corinthians/14-26-33 "1 Corinthians 14:26-33 - Order in the Church")). His opening "I thank my God" further frames his statement as gratitude for a divine gift, not a personal achievement.

**Does this verse encourage speaking in tongues in private?**

Answer: Yes, implicitly. Paul's statement, "I speak with tongues more than ye all," coupled with his later distinction between speaking in tongues for personal edification and speaking in tongues for public edification with interpretation (cf. [1 Corinthians 14:2-4](/1_corinthians/14-2-4 "1 Corinthians 14:2-4 - Speaking in Tongues and Prophecy")), strongly suggests that much of his extensive practice of tongues occurred in private devotion. In private, the gift of tongues can be a powerful means of personal prayer, worship, and spiritual edification, as it allows the spirit to communicate directly with God without the need for human understanding or interpretation. Paul encourages this personal use while strictly regulating its public exercise.

**What kind of "tongues" is Paul referring to here?**

Answer: The Greek word "glōssa" (G1100), translated as "tongues," refers to languages. In the New Testament, it can refer to known human languages (as seen at [Pentecost in Acts 2:4-11](/acts/2-4-11 "Acts 2:4-11 - Pentecost and Speaking in Languages")) or to divinely inspired utterances that are not naturally understood by human hearers, sometimes referred to as "heavenly" or "angelic" languages (cf. [1 Corinthians 13:1](/1_corinthians/13-1 "1 Corinthians 13:1 - Speaking with Tongues of Men and of Angels")). Given Paul's emphasis throughout 1 Corinthians 14 on the need for interpretation for public understanding and edification, he is primarily referring to utterances that are unintelligible to the audience without a supernatural interpretation, whether they are unknown human languages or non-human spiritual utterances.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 14:18, while a personal statement from Paul, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the source and embodiment of all spiritual gifts. Christ Himself is the ultimate "Word" of God, the perfect and complete divine utterance (cf. [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word in the Beginning") and [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). All spiritual gifts, including the gift of tongues, flow from His ascension and the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit (cf. [Ephesians 4:7-8](/ephesians/4-7-8 "Ephesians 4:7-8 - Christ Gives Gifts to Men"), where Christ "gave gifts to men"). Therefore, Paul's abundant experience with tongues points to the reality of the Spirit's empowering presence, which is a direct result of Christ's finished work on the cross and His exaltation. The purpose of all gifts, as Paul meticulously explains in 1 Corinthians, is to build up the church, which is the body of Christ (cf. [Colossians 1:18](/colossians/1-18 "Colossians 1:18 - Christ is the Head of the Body")). Thus, Paul's personal gift, and indeed all spiritual gifts, are ultimately meant to draw believers into deeper communion with Christ and to equip them for His service, reflecting His glory and extending His kingdom.

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 1:4

I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

1 Corinthians 1:6

Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:

1 Corinthians 4:7

¶ For who maketh thee to differ [from another]? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive [it], why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received [it]?