For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
Parallel translations
- WEB For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted.
- 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 that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
- 1 Th 5:11Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
- 1 Th 5:14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
- 2 Cor 7:6–7Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
- Eph 6:22Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
- 1 Th 4:18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
- Rom 1:12That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
- Prov 1:5A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
- 2 Cor 1:4Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
- Prov 9:9Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
- 1 Cor 14:35And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
- 1 Cor 14:19Yet 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.
- Eph 4:11–12And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
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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 14:31 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
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