Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue is to pray that he may interpret.
Parallel translations
- WEB Therefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may interpret.
- KJV Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
- BSB Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.
- NKJV Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
- NLT So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
One who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret. Interpretation makes the gift useful to the congregation.
Overview
Paul gives a practical instruction: the tongue-speaker should seek the gift of interpretation so the church can understand. This shows tongues are not forbidden but must be made intelligible to serve others. The counsel keeps edification central, ensuring that even private-seeming gifts can benefit the gathered body.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Mark 11:24Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them.
- John 14:13–14Whatever you will ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
- 1 Cor 12:30Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with various languages? Do all interpret?
- Acts 1:14All these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer and supplication, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
- 1 Cor 14:27–28If any man speaks in another language, let it be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret.
- Acts 4:29–31Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness,
- 1 Cor 12:10and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages.
- Acts 8:15who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit;
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 14:13 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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