1 Corinthians 14:28

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} if {G3362} there be {G5600} no {G3362} interpreter {G1328}, let him keep silence {G4601} in {G1722} the church {G1577}; and {G1161} let him speak {G2980} to himself {G1438}, and {G2532} to God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And if there is no one present who can interpret, let the people who speak in tongues keep silent when the congregation meets — they can speak to themselves and to God.

Berean Standard Bible

But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Corinthians 14:28 provides a clear directive from the Apostle Paul concerning the public exercise of the spiritual gift of tongues within the gathered Christian assembly. It mandates that if no one is present to interpret a message spoken in tongues, the speaker must refrain from public utterance, instead confining their expression to private communion with themselves and with God. This instruction underscores Paul's overarching concern for order, intelligibility, and the corporate edification of the church, ensuring that all spiritual manifestations contribute to the spiritual growth of the entire body.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Paul's extensive discourse on spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14. Specifically, it forms part of Paul's practical guidelines for the orderly conduct of worship services in [1 Corinthians 14](/1-corinthians/14 "1 Corinthians 14 - Order in Worship"). Prior to this verse, Paul has established the preeminence of love as the motivation for all gifts ([1 Corinthians 13](/1-corinthians/13 "1 Corinthians 13 - The Superiority of Love")), and then proceeds to regulate the use of tongues and prophecy. He emphasizes that prophecy is superior to uninterpreted tongues because it directly edifies the church ([1 Corinthians 14:1-5](/1-corinthians/14-1-5 "1 Corinthians 14:1-5 - Prophecy vs. Tongues")). The immediate preceding verse, [1 Corinthians 14:27](/1-corinthians/14-27 "1 Corinthians 14:27 - Guidelines for Tongues"), limits the number of speakers in tongues to two or at most three, and explicitly states the necessity of an interpreter. Therefore, [1 Corinthians 14:28](/1-corinthians/14-28 "1 Corinthians 14:28 - Silence Without an Interpreter") serves as the conditional consequence: if the interpreter mentioned in [1 Corinthians 14:27](/1-corinthians/14-27 "1 Corinthians 14:27 - Guidelines for Tongues") is absent, then silence is required.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The church in Corinth was a vibrant, yet problematic, community grappling with various issues, including divisions, immorality, and the misuse of spiritual gifts. Located in a major Roman port city, Corinth was a melting pot of cultures and religions, known for its intellectualism and often its excesses. The Corinthians were enthusiastic about spiritual manifestations, particularly speaking in tongues, which they may have viewed as a sign of spiritual superiority or a chaotic, ecstatic experience. This enthusiasm, however, often led to disorder and confusion in their public gatherings, undermining the very purpose of corporate worship. Paul's letters, particularly [1 Corinthians](/1-corinthians/1 "1 Corinthians - Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians"), address these specific challenges, seeking to bring theological clarity and practical order to a church struggling to mature in its understanding and practice of Christian faith. His instructions here reflect a pastoral concern for the reputation of the church among outsiders ([1 Corinthians 14:23](/1-corinthians/14-23 "1 Corinthians 14:23 - Unbelievers and Tongues")) and the spiritual well-being of its members.
* **Key Themes:** The instructions in [1 Corinthians 14](/1-corinthians/14 "1 Corinthians 14 - Order in Worship") and specifically in [1 Corinthians 14:28](/1-corinthians/14-28 "1 Corinthians 14:28 - Silence Without an Interpreter") contribute to several overarching themes. First, **Order in Worship** is paramount; Paul consistently argues that God is not a God of confusion but of peace ([1 Corinthians 14:33](/1-corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God of Peace")). Second, **Edification of the Church** is the ultimate goal of all spiritual gifts ([1 Corinthians 14:26](/1-corinthians/14-26 "1 Corinthians 14:26 - All for Edification")). If a gift does not build up the community, its public exercise is counterproductive. Third, **Intelligibility** is crucial for communication within the assembly; a message must be understood to be beneficial. This is why Paul values prophecy over uninterpreted tongues, as prophecy speaks directly to the understanding ([1 Corinthians 14:19](/1-corinthians/14-19 "1 Corinthians 14:19 - Five Understandable Words")). Finally, the verse highlights the theme of **Self-Control and Responsibility** in the exercise of spiritual gifts, demonstrating that even powerful spiritual manifestations are subject to the believer's will and the Spirit's orderly leading ([1 Corinthians 14:32](/1-corinthians/14-32 "1 Corinthians 14:32 - Prophets Control Themselves")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **interpreter (Greek, _diermēneutḗs'_):** From the Greek word G1328, meaning "an explainer." This term highlights the essential role of someone who can translate or make clear a message given in an unknown tongue. The absence of such a person renders the public utterance unintelligible and thus unedifying to the assembly.
* **silence (Greek, _sigáō'_):** From the Greek word G4601, meaning "to keep silent (transitively or intransitively)." This is an imperative command, indicating an active cessation of public speaking. It does not imply a passive quietness but a deliberate withholding of public expression of the gift of tongues when the condition (no interpreter) is met.
* **church (Greek, _ekklēsía'_):** From the Greek word G1577, meaning "a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation." This word specifically refers to the gathered assembly of believers, emphasizing the corporate context of Paul's instruction. The rules apply to the public worship setting, where the benefit of the whole body is paramount.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But if there be no interpreter":** This opening clause establishes a crucial conditional premise. The Greek particle G1161 (_dé_) introduces a contrast or a continuation, here serving as a strong conditional "but if." The absence of an "explainer" (G1328, _diermēneutḗs_) for the message spoken in tongues is the sole trigger for the subsequent command. This highlights that the issue is not the gift itself, but its public intelligibility.
* **"let him keep silence in the church;":** This is the direct, imperative command to the individual possessing the gift of tongues when the condition is met. The Greek verb G4601 (_sigáō_) in the imperative mood signifies a firm directive to cease public utterance. The phrase "in the church" (G1722 _en_ G1577 _ekklēsía_) precisely defines the context: the public gathering of believers. This emphasizes that the instruction is for corporate worship, where mutual edification is the goal.
* **"and let him speak to himself, and to God.":** This concluding clause clarifies the nature of the "silence" and provides an alternative, permissible outlet for the gift. The speaker is not forbidden from exercising the gift entirely, but rather from doing so publicly without interpretation. "To himself" (G1438, _heautoû_) suggests private, internal spiritual expression, while "and to God" (G2532 _kaí_ G2316 _theós_) indicates that such private expression can still be a form of prayer or communion directed to the Divine. This distinction between private devotion and public ministry is key to understanding Paul's regulation.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices to convey his instruction with clarity and authority. The primary device is the **Conditional Clause** ("But if there be no interpreter"), which sets a clear boundary for the subsequent action. This is immediately followed by the **Imperative Mood** in "let him keep silence" and "let him speak," conveying direct commands that are non-negotiable for the sake of order. There is also a strong element of **Contrast** in the verse, distinguishing between public expression "in the church" and private expression "to himself, and to God." This contrast serves to regulate the *venue* and *purpose* of the gift's exercise rather than prohibiting the gift itself. The overall rhetorical strategy is one of **Didactic Instruction**, where Paul, as an apostle, provides authoritative teaching to correct disorder and guide the Corinthian church toward mature, edifying worship practices.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The instruction in 1 Corinthians 14:28 is deeply rooted in the theological conviction that God is a God of order, not confusion, and that all spiritual gifts are given for the common good and the edification of the body of Christ. It underscores the principle that divine revelation and spiritual manifestation, when expressed publicly, must be intelligible to be beneficial. This passage highlights the corporate nature of Christian worship, where individual expressions are to be submitted to the needs and understanding of the entire community. It also implicitly teaches the concept of self-control under the Holy Spirit's influence, demonstrating that spiritual gifts are not uncontrollable impulses but are to be exercised responsibly and in accordance with divine wisdom. The ultimate aim is to ensure that worship services are accessible, orderly, and genuinely conducive to spiritual growth for all participants, including unbelievers who might be present.

* [1 Corinthians 14:33](/1-corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God is Not of Confusion")
* [Romans 14:19](/romans/14-19 "Romans 14:19 - Pursue Peace and Edification")
* [Ephesians 4:11-12](/ephesians/4-11-12 "Ephesians 4:11-12 - Gifts for Building Up the Body")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 14:28 offers timeless principles for corporate worship that extend beyond the specific context of the gift of tongues. It challenges us to consider whether our contributions to public worship are truly edifying and comprehensible to others. In any church gathering, whether through preaching, teaching, music, or prayer, the primary goal should be the spiritual growth and understanding of the entire congregation. This verse calls us to prioritize clarity and accessibility, ensuring that our expressions of faith are not self-serving but are aimed at building up the body of Christ. It also reminds us that while private spiritual practices are vital for personal communion with God, public ministry carries a greater responsibility to consider the collective good. We are encouraged to exercise discernment, humility, and self-control, always asking how our actions contribute to the peace, order, and spiritual fruitfulness of the gathered church.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the principle of "edification" (building up the church) guide our participation in corporate worship today?**
* **In what ways might we, even unintentionally, create "confusion" in our church gatherings by prioritizing personal expression over corporate understanding?**
* **What is the balance between private spiritual practices and public ministry, and how can we ensure both are healthy and aligned with biblical principles?**
* **How does the emphasis on intelligibility in this verse inform our approach to communication, teaching, and preaching in the church?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse forbid speaking in tongues entirely?**

Answer: No, this verse does not forbid speaking in tongues entirely. Instead, it places a specific regulation on the *public* exercise of the gift within the gathered assembly. Paul explicitly states that if there is no interpreter, the person should "keep silence in the church" but is permitted to "speak to himself, and to God." This indicates that private prayer or devotion in tongues is not prohibited. The emphasis throughout [1 Corinthians 14](/1-corinthians/14 "1 Corinthians 14 - Order in Worship") is on order and edification for the entire congregation, not on suppressing spiritual gifts.

**Why is interpretation so important for the public use of tongues?**

Answer: Interpretation is crucial because, without it, a message spoken in tongues is unintelligible to the listeners, rendering it useless for corporate instruction, encouragement, or conviction. Paul's primary concern is that all things done in the church should contribute to the edification (building up) of the body of Christ ([1 Corinthians 14:26](/1-corinthians/14-26 "1 Corinthians 14:26 - All for Edification")). If a message cannot be understood, it cannot edify, nor can it serve as a sign to unbelievers ([1 Corinthians 14:23](/1-corinthians/14-23 "1 Corinthians 14:23 - Unbelievers and Tongues")). The goal is clear communication that benefits everyone.

**Does this verse apply to all forms of communication in church services today?**

Answer: While the specific context is the spiritual gift of tongues, the underlying principles of order, intelligibility, and edification are broadly applicable to all forms of public communication within a church service. Whether it's preaching, teaching, testimonies, or prayers, the message should be clear, understandable, and aimed at building up the congregation. The spirit of [1 Corinthians 14:28](/1-corinthians/14-28 "1 Corinthians 14:28 - Silence Without an Interpreter") encourages all participants to consider how their contributions serve the common good and the spiritual growth of the entire body of Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The principles articulated in 1 Corinthians 14:28 find their ultimate fulfillment and purpose in Christ, who is the Head of the Church and the source of all spiritual gifts. Jesus consistently ministered in ways that were accessible and edifying to His listeners, often using parables and clear teaching to ensure understanding ([Matthew 13:34](/matthew/13-34 "Matthew 13:34 - Jesus Taught in Parables")). The Holy Spirit, poured out by Christ, distributes gifts not for individual display but for the building up of Christ's body ([Ephesians 4:11-12](/ephesians/4-11-12 "Ephesians 4:11-12 - Gifts for Building Up the Body")). Thus, the call for order and intelligibility in worship reflects the very character of God, who is not the author of confusion but of peace ([1 Corinthians 14:33](/1-corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God of Peace")), a peace established through Christ's reconciling work ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). The church, as the body of Christ, is called to reflect His unity and purpose, ensuring that all its functions, including the exercise of spiritual gifts, point to Him and draw people into a clearer understanding of His gospel ([John 16:13-14](/john/16-13-14 "John 16:13-14 - The Spirit Glorifies Christ")). Therefore, the regulation of tongues ensures that worship remains Christ-focused, edifying His people, and effectively proclaiming His truth to the world, ultimately glorifying the One who gave the gifts.

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.