1 Corinthians 14:15

Translations

Modern

What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.

Traditional

What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

Literal

What then is it? I will pray with the spirit, but I will also pray with the mind. I will sing praise with the spirit, but I will also sing praise with the mind.

Latin

Quid ergo est? Orabo spiritu, orabo et mente: psallam spiritu, psallam et mente.

Original

Greek

English

What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.

Notes

1 Corinthians 14:15–17

It is better to worship with both spirit and understandable words. Public worship should bless God and others. Speaking in tongues without interpretation glorifies God and helps the speaker (14:4), but it does not help others present.
say “Amen” to your thanksgiving: Amen was the traditional response to a prayer.

1 Corinthians 14:1–25

After highlighting the supreme importance of love (chapter 13), Paul discusses spiritual gifts again. He defines their value by how much they help others, which reflects love (chapter 13). With this in mind, Paul compares the overvalued gift of speaking in tongues with the more helpful gift of prophecy.

1 Corinthians 12:1–14:40

The church in Corinth focused too much on the gift of speaking in tongues (see 14:1–25, 27; compare the lists in 12:8–10, 28, where Paul lists tongues last). Paul offers advice to correct their understanding of the value and use of spiritual gifts.

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) Pure Worship The Gift of Prophecy The Holy Spirit’s Work

Related verses

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Ephesians 6:18
Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.
Ephesians 5:17–20
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
John 4:23–24
But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him.
Jude 1:20
But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
Romans 12:1–2
Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
Psalm 47:7
For God is King of all the earth; sing to Him a psalm of praise.
1 Corinthians 14:19
But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
Philippians 1:18
What then is the issue? Just this: that in every way, whether by false motives or true, Christ is preached. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
Romans 1:9
God, whom I serve with my spirit in preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you
1 Corinthians 10:19
Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?
Romans 3:5
But if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unjust to inflict His wrath on us? I am speaking in human terms.

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Charismata Church Meetings First Letter to the Corinthians Mind Music Mystery Prophecy Spirit of God

Topics

Contemporary Christian Music Interpretation of Foreign Tongues Language: Speaking in Inspired |Tongues| Forbidden Music: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Praise: should be offered with the Understanding Praise: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Prayer: should be offered Up with the Spirit and Understanding Prayer: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Praying in the Spirit Preaching: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Public Prayer: should not be Made in an Unknown Language Singing Spiritual Life: should Animate the Services of Saints Tongues (The Gift): The Miraculous Gift Granted to some Early Christians Worship: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

1 Corinthians 14:15

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