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1 Corinthians 14:31

For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
1 Corinthians 14:31 · Berean Standard Bible
Parallel translations
  • WEB For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted.
  • KJV For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
  • NKJV For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.
  • NASB For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;
  • NLT In this way, all who prophesy will have a turn to speak, one after the other, so that everyone will learn and be encouraged.

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

All may prophesy one by one, so that everyone learns and is encouraged. Orderly prophecy benefits the whole congregation.

Overview

Paul affirms that prophecy can be widely shared when done in turn, with the aim of teaching and encouraging all. The orderly approach maximizes edification rather than chaos. This underscores that the gifts exist to instruct and strengthen the entire body, never to exalt a few.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 13

  • 1 Cor 14:3But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.
  • 1 Th 5:11Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.
  • 1 Th 5:14And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.
  • 2 Cor 7:6–7But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the arrival of Titus,
  • Eph 6:22I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts.
  • 1 Th 4:18Therefore encourage one another with these words.
  • Rom 1:12that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
  • Prov 1:5let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel
  • 2 Cor 1:4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
  • Prov 9:9Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
  • 1 Cor 14:35If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church.
  • 1 Cor 14:19But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
  • Eph 4:11–12And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,

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Commentaries & study tools

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 14:31 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.