Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking with other languages.
Parallel Translations
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Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking with other languages.
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Wherfore brethren covet to prophesye and forbyd not to speake with tonges.
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Wherefore, brethren, couet to prophecie, and forbid not to speake languages.
Examined in Scripture Analysis
Contradictions (1)
Questions where the Bible appears to say two different things, with the passages on each side set together.
Cross-references (6)
Passages linked to 1 Corinthians 14:39 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- 1 Corinthians 12:31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you.
- 1 Corinthians 14:1 Follow after love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:20 Don’t despise prophecies.
- 1 Corinthians 14:3 But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation.
- 1 Corinthians 14:5 Now 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 Corinthians 14:24-25 But if all prophesy, and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and he is judged by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed. So he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (19 sources)
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain 39. Wherefore, brethren This is the conclusion in connection…
39. Wherefore, brethren This is the conclusion in connection with the principal question — that prophecy is to be preferred to other gifts, because it is the most useful gift of all, while at the same time other gifts ought not to be despised. We must observe, however, his manner of speaking. For he intimates, that prophecy is worthy of being eagerly and ardently aspired at by all. In the meantime, he exhorts them not to envy others the rarer gift, which is not so much to be desired; nay more, to allow them the praise that is due to them, divesting themselves of all envy.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain Prophecy ought simply to be retained and kept in…
Prophecy ought simply to be retained and kept in Congregations, the gift of tongues is not to be forbidden, but all things must be done orderly.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not…
39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
Ver. 39. Wherefore, brethren] This he adds as a corollary, to prevent mistakes, as if that he were an enemy either to prophecy or tongues, so soberly and orderly used. Arbitror nonnullos in quibusdam locis librorum meorum, opinaturos me, sensisse quod non sensi, aut non sensisse quod sensi, saith Augustine (lib. iii. de Trin. c. 3): I foresee that some will construe many passages of my writings far otherwise than I intend them: and it happened accordingly, as Baronius testifieth. (Annul. tom. 6, A. D. 450, n. 17.)
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain The apostle concludeth his discourse, summarily repeating all that…
The apostle concludeth his discourse, summarily repeating all that he before had said. He had, 1Co 14:2, encouraged their desire of spiritual gifts; all along the chapter he hath been magnifying the gift of prophecy above the gift of tongues, as being of much more general use, and more for the profit of others; but he minds them here, that he did not forbid those to whom God had given the gift of tongues, to make use of it at due times, and in a due manner and order.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain For a close of the whole, he exhorts them…
For a close of the whole, he exhorts them earnestly to endeavour after the gift of prophesying, and not to forbid the use of the gift of tongues, provided the forementioned rules and directions before given be observed: that so in their public assemblies all things relating to religious worship be performed with that becoming gravity and decency which may most and best conduce to the glory of God and the church’s edification.
Learn hence, 1. That the whole church in general, and every individual member of it in particular, ought to perform all the duties of God’s worship in a decent and orderly manner.
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Learn, 2. That it is the duty of church governors to take care that order and decency be enjoined and observed in the church of God, to the edification of all the members of it.
Learn, 3. That they only have authority to make church orders whom the Lord has made church governors.
Learn, 4. That such orders as relate to real decency in the worship of God, made and confirmed by the governors of the church, ought to be obeyed and conformed to by the members of the church for conscience’ sake, that all things may be done decently and in order.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain Therefore - To sum up the whole.
Therefore - To sum up the whole.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 39. Covet to prophesy] Let it be your…
Verse 39. Covet to prophesy] Let it be your endeavour and prayer to be able to teach the way of God to the ignorant; this is the most valuable, because the most useful gift of the Spirit.
And forbid not to speak with tongues.] Let every gift have its own place and operation; let none envy another; nor prevent him from doing that part of the work to which God, by giving the qualification, has evidently called him.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain 1Co 14:39-40. Wherefore, brethren — To conclude this long…
1Co 14:39-40. Wherefore, brethren — To conclude this long discourse, and sum up the whole in a few words; covet to prophesy — To discourse about divine things in a way that will edify others; and yet forbid not — Those who are willing to do it under such regulations as have now been advanced; to speak with tongues — For it is a noble endowment, which I would encourage none to slight or neglect: only take care that all things — In your religious assemblies; be done decently and in order — Let all be conducted in a regular manner, to prevent such disturbances, disputes, and scandals for the future, as in time past have had place among you, and would proceed to greater evils if not immediately reformed. The precept given by the apostle in this verse, “is sometimes applied to support the use of rites and ceremonies in the worship of God, not commanded in Scripture. But any one who considers the place which it holds in this discourse, will be sensible that it hath no relation to rites and ceremonies, but to the decent and orderly exercise of the spiritual gifts. Yet by parity of reason, it may be extended even to the rites of worship, provided they are left free to be used by every one, as he sees them expedient.” — Macknight.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain Covet to prophesy - See the note at 1Co…
Covet to prophesy - See the note at 1Co 14:1. This is the “summing up” of all that he had said. It was “desirable” that a man should wish to be able to speak, under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, in such a manner as to edify the church.
And forbid not ... - Do not suppose that the power of speaking foreign languages is useless, or is to be despised, or that it is to be prohibited. “In its own place” it is a valuable endowment; and on proper occasions the talent should be exercised; see in 1Co 14:22.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain covet--earnestly desire. Stronger than "forbid not"; marking how much…
covet--earnestly desire. Stronger than "forbid not"; marking how much higher he esteemed "prophecy" than "tongues."
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 39. Wherefore—The net conclusion of the entire section.
39. Wherefore—The net conclusion of the entire section.
Covet… forbid not—The settled rank of these two gifts; one to be a chief aim, the other to be regulated and allowed.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 39. Wherefore, brethren] The Apostle, as is his wont,…
39. Wherefore, brethren] The Apostle, as is his wont, sums up the whole section in a few concluding words. Prophecy is a gift to be earnestly sought (see for covet, the note on ch. 1Co_12:31). Speaking with tongues is a gift not to be discouraged.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (39) Wherefore, brethren.—The practical summing up of the whole…
(39) Wherefore, brethren.—The practical summing up of the whole matter. Seek earnestly to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. The phraseology intimates the relative importance of the two gifts in the estimation of the Apostle, which was inverted by those to whom he wrote at Corinth. This ought you to do, but not leave the other undone.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain Wherefore. The final conclusion. Covet forbid not. The power…
Wherefore. The final conclusion. Covet forbid not. The power to preach is to be desired; all that can be said of glossolaly is that it is not to be absolutely forbidden so long as the conditions which St. Paul has laid down for its regulation are observed. But glossolaly is hardly possible under conditions of order, decorum, and self suppression, and we are not surprised that we hear no more of it in the Church, but only in the wild excitement of fanatical sects. The suppression, however, of the startling manifestation by no means necessarily involves any enfeeblement of the inspiring conviction from which it sprang. The brawling torrent which "foams its madness off" is lost in the calm and majestic flow of the deep river.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain 39. Wherefore. The apostle concludes this section of church…
39. Wherefore. The apostle concludes this section of church order by again commending prophecy as the chief gift, and enjoining order in the church exercises.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
William B. Godbey 1900 · Public Domain 39. “So, my brethren, be zealous to prophesy, and…
39. “So, my brethren, be zealous to prophesy, and prohibit not to speak with tongues.” Speaking with tongues was the more magnetic and demonstrative, while prophesying, i. e., “speaking to the people edification, exhortation and comfort,” was the gift of all others preeminent for its practical utility in the salvation of souls. Hence the burning emphasis constantly laid upon it. This wicked world despises the Bible, and devours filthy, lying novels and trashy newspapers. To them the Bible is a dry book, utterly loathsome. Hence they will never read it except for Satan’s criticism. Consequently God’s people must save them by His omnipotent grace, or let them sink into Hell. Our talking to them privately and publicly is God’s appointed method for their salvation.
William B. Godbey, Commentary on the New Testament (1896–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
J. W. McGarvey 1914 · Public Domain Wherefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and forbid…
Wherefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues .
J. W. McGarvey (with Philip Y. Pendleton), Commentaries on the New Testament (The Fourfold Gospel, 1914; Acts; and the epistles) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 do not forbid anyone from speaking in tongues
do not forbid anyone from speaking in tongues
Paul makes it clear that speaking in tongues at a church gathering is permissible and acceptable.
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But let all things be done properly and in order
Paul is stressing that church gatherings should be held in an orderly manner. AT: "But do all things properly and in order" or "But do everything in an orderly, appropriate way"
translationWords
prophet
tongue
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 14:39-40 Paul summarizes his discussion of spiritual gifts (chs…
14:39-40 Paul summarizes his discussion of spiritual gifts (chs 12–14).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.