Therefore, my brothers and sisters, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
Parallel translations
- WEB Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking with other languages.
- KJV Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
- BSB So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
- NKJV Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.
- NLT So, my dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking in tongues.
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
Paul summarizes: eagerly seek to prophesy, yet do not forbid speaking in tongues. It matters because the gifts are good and meant to be valued, not suppressed.
Overview
After ranking prophecy above tongues for building up the church, Paul guards against overcorrection. Prophecy, which edifies plainly, should be earnestly desired, but tongues genuinely from the Spirit are not to be banned. The balance reflects God's design that every gift serve the body of Christ in love.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- 1 Cor 12:31But earnestly desire the best gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you.
- 1 Cor 14:1Follow after love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
- 1 Th 5:20Don’t despise prophesies.
- 1 Cor 14:3But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation.
- 1 Cor 14:5Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up.
- 1 Cor 14:24–25But if all prophesy, and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and he is judged by all.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 14:39 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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