1 Corinthians 14:5

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

I wish you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be strengthened.

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

  • 1 Cor 12:10 : 10 to another performance of miracles, to another prophecy, and to another discernment of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.
  • Mark 16:17 : 17 These signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages;
  • 1 Cor 13:1 : 1 The Way of Love If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but I do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
  • 1 Cor 13:4 : 4 Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up.
  • 1 Cor 14:1 : 1 Prophecy and Tongues Pursue love and be eager for the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.
  • 1 Cor 14:3-4 : 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.
  • 1 Cor 14:12-13 : 12 It is the same with you. Since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, seek to abound in order to strengthen the church. 13 So then, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.
  • 1 Cor 14:18-40 : 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you, 19 but in the church I want to speak five words with my mind to instruct others, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue. 20 Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking. Instead, be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. 21 It is written in the law:“By people with strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, yet not even in this way will they listen to me,” says the Lord. 22 So then, tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 So if the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and unbelievers or uninformed people enter, will they not say that you have lost your minds? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or uninformed person enters, he will be convicted by all, he will be called to account by all. 25 The secrets of his heart are disclosed, and in this way he will fall down with his face to the ground and worship God, declaring,“God is really among you.” 26 Church Order What should you do then, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each one has a song, has a lesson, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all these things be done for the strengthening of the church. 27 If someone speaks in a tongue, it should be two, or at the most three, one after the other, and someone must interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, he should be silent in the church. Let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Two or three prophets should speak and the others should evaluate what is said. 30 And if someone sitting down receives a revelation, the person who is speaking should conclude. 31 For you can all prophesy one after another, so all can learn and be encouraged. 32 Indeed, the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets, 33 for God is not characterized by disorder but by peace.As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak. Rather, let them be in submission, as in fact the law says. 35 If they want to find out about something, they should ask their husbands at home, because it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in church. 36 Did the word of God begin with you, or did it come to you alone? 37 If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, he should acknowledge that what I write to you is the Lord’s command. 38 If someone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 So then, brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid anyone from speaking in tongues. 40 And do everything in a decent and orderly manner.
  • Num 11:28-29 : 28 Joshua son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his choice young men, said,“My lord Moses, stop them!” 29 Moses said to him,“Are you jealous for me? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!”
  • 1 Cor 12:28-30 : 28 And God has placed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, gifts of healing, helps, gifts of leadership, different kinds of tongues. 29 Not all are apostles, are they? Not all are prophets, are they? Not all are teachers, are they? Not all perform miracles, do they? 30 Not all have gifts of healing, do they? Not all speak in tongues, do they? Not all interpret, do they?

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • 1 Cor 14:1-4
    4 verses
    85%

    1Prophecy and Tongues Pursue love and be eager for the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

    2For the one speaking in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, for no one understands; he is speaking mysteries by the Spirit.

    3But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and consolation.

    4The one who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

  • 1 Cor 14:9-32
    24 verses
    83%

    9It is the same for you. If you do not speak clearly with your tongue, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air.

    10There are probably many kinds of languages in the world, and none is without meaning.

    11If then I do not know the meaning of a language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.

    12It is the same with you. Since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, seek to abound in order to strengthen the church.

    13So then, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.

    14If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive.

    15What should I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praises with my spirit, but I will also sing praises with my mind.

    16Otherwise, if you are praising God with your spirit, how can someone without the gift say“Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

    17For you are certainly giving thanks well, but the other person is not strengthened.

    18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you,

    19but in the church I want to speak five words with my mind to instruct others, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

    20Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking. Instead, be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

    21It is written in the law:“By people with strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, yet not even in this way will they listen to me,” says the Lord.

    22So then, tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.

    23So if the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and unbelievers or uninformed people enter, will they not say that you have lost your minds?

    24But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or uninformed person enters, he will be convicted by all, he will be called to account by all.

    25The secrets of his heart are disclosed, and in this way he will fall down with his face to the ground and worship God, declaring,“God is really among you.”

    26Church Order What should you do then, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each one has a song, has a lesson, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all these things be done for the strengthening of the church.

    27If someone speaks in a tongue, it should be two, or at the most three, one after the other, and someone must interpret.

    28But if there is no interpreter, he should be silent in the church. Let him speak to himself and to God.

    29Two or three prophets should speak and the others should evaluate what is said.

    30And if someone sitting down receives a revelation, the person who is speaking should conclude.

    31For you can all prophesy one after another, so all can learn and be encouraged.

    32Indeed, the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets,

  • 1 Cor 14:6-7
    2 verses
    83%

    6Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I help you unless I speak to you with a revelation or with knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

    7It is similar for lifeless things that make a sound, like a flute or harp. Unless they make a distinction in the notes, how can what is played on the flute or harp be understood?

  • 1 Cor 14:38-40
    3 verses
    81%

    38If someone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

    39So then, brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid anyone from speaking in tongues.

    40And do everything in a decent and orderly manner.

  • 1 Cor 12:10
    74%

    10to another performance of miracles, to another prophecy, and to another discernment of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.

  • 1 Cor 12:28-31
    4 verses
    73%

    28And God has placed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, gifts of healing, helps, gifts of leadership, different kinds of tongues.

    29Not all are apostles, are they? Not all are prophets, are they? Not all are teachers, are they? Not all perform miracles, do they?

    30Not all have gifts of healing, do they? Not all speak in tongues, do they? Not all interpret, do they?

    31But you should be eager for the greater gifts.And now I will show you a way that is beyond comparison.

  • 1 Thess 5:20
    70%

    20Do not treat prophecies with contempt.

  • 1 Cor 13:1-2
    2 verses
    70%

    1The Way of Love If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but I do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

    2And if I have prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

  • 1 Cor 12:1
    70%

    1Spiritual Gifts With regard to spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.

  • Rom 12:6
    68%

    6And we have different gifts according to the grace given to us. If the gift is prophecy, that individual must use it in proportion to his faith.

  • 1 Cor 13:8-9
    2 verses
    67%

    8Love never ends. But if there are prophecies, they will be set aside; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be set aside.

    9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part,

  • Isa 28:11
    67%

    11For with mocking lips and a foreign tongue he will speak to these people.

  • 1 Pet 4:11
    67%

    11Whoever speaks, let it be with God’s words. Whoever serves, do so with the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

  • 1 Cor 7:7
    67%

    7I wish that everyone was as I am. But each has his own gift from God, one this way, another that.

  • Rom 1:11
    67%

    11For I long to see you, so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you,

  • Acts 19:6
    66%

    6and when Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they began to speak in tongues and to prophesy.