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1 Corinthians 14:31

For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted.
1 Corinthians 14:31 · World English Bible
Parallel translations
  • KJV For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
  • BSB For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
  • 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, exhortation, and consolation.
  • 1 Th 5:11Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.
  • 1 Th 5:14We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the faint-hearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.
  • 2 Cor 7:6–7Nevertheless, he who comforts the lowly, God, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
  • Eph 6:22whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts.
  • 1 Th 4:18Therefore comfort one another with these words.
  • Rom 1:12that is, that I with you may be encouraged in you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.
  • Prov 1:5that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel:
  • 2 Cor 1:4who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
  • Prov 9:9Instruct a wise man, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
  • 1 Cor 14:35if they desire to learn anything. “Let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to be talking in the assembly.”
  • 1 Cor 14:19However 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.
  • Eph 4:11–12He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds 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.