but if there is no interpreter, he is to keep silent in church; and have him speak to himself and to God.
Parallel translations
- WEB But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself, and to God.
- KJV But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
- BSB But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God.
- NKJV But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.
- NLT But if no one is present who can interpret, they must be silent in your church meeting and speak in tongues to God privately.
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
If no interpreter is present, the tongue-speaker should keep silent in church and speak to himself and God. Without interpretation, public tongues yield to silence.
Overview
Paul rules that an uninterpreted tongue has no place in the assembly; the speaker should instead pray privately. This further subordinates personal expression to corporate edification. The instruction shows that self-control in using gifts is part of loving the church and honoring God in worship.
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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.
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Original language
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