But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
Parallel translations
- WEB However in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in another language.
- KJV Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
- NKJV yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
- NASB nevertheless, in church I prefer to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.
- NLT But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language.
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
In church Paul would rather speak five intelligible words to teach than ten thousand in a tongue. Instruction of others far outweighs unintelligible volume.
Overview
Paul states his priority sharply: a few understandable words that instruct are worth more than countless words none can grasp. The vast disproportion underscores how decisive edification is in public worship. Love for the congregation, not the impressiveness of a gift, governs how he chooses to minister among them.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 2
- 1 Cor 14:21–22It is written in the Law: “By strange tongues and foreign lips I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to Me, says the Lord.”
- 1 Cor 14:4The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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 14:19 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.