Keraia
1 Corinthians 14

1 Corinthians 14:27

Orderly Worship · 1 Corinthians 14:26–40
Read 1 Corinthians 14

Translations

Modern
If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret.
Traditional
If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
Literal
If anyone speaks in a tongue, be by two, or at the most three, and each in turn; and let one interpret.
Latin
Sive lingua quis loquitur, secundum duos, aut ut multum tres, et per partes, et unus interpretatur.

Original

Greek
English
If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret.

Notes

1 Corinthians 14:27–28

Paul advises a church eager for the gift of tongues to limit its public use. He suggests no more than two or three people should speak, one at a time, and only if someone can interpret the message.

1 Corinthians 14:26–40

Paul provides clear instructions for using spiritual gifts in the church. He stresses the importance of expressing them in an orderly manner. In the early Christian community, church meetings were not led by professional pastors or priests. Instead, everyone shared what God had given them to strengthen the church.

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.

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Charismata Church Meetings First Letter to the Corinthians Mystery Prophecy Tongues, Speaking in

Topics

Interpreter in Congregations Language: Interpretation of Most Important in the Early Church Language: Speaking in Inspired |Tongues| Forbidden The Gift of Tongues Tongues (The Gift): The Miraculous Gift Granted to some Early Christians