1 Corinthians 14:2

1 Corinthians 14:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
• New International Version (NIV)For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

Context of 1 Corinthians 14:2

1Pursue [this] love [with eagerness, make it your goal], yet earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual gifts [to be used by believers for the benefit of the church], but especially that you may prophesy [to foretell the future, to speak a new message from God to the people]. For one who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to people but to God; for no one understands him or catches his meaning, but by the Spirit he speaks mysteries [secret truths, hidden things]. 3But [on the other hand] the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification [to promote their spiritual growth] and [speaks words of] encouragement [to uphold and advise them concerning the matters of God] and [speaks words of] consolation [to compassionately comfort them]. 4One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church [promotes growth in spiritual wisdom, devotion, holiness, and joy].

1 Corinthians 14:2 word by word

ὁ γὰρ λαλῶν γλώσσῃ οὐκ ἀνθρώποις λαλεῖ ἀλλὰ θεῷ· οὐδεὶς γὰρ ἀκούει, πνεύματι δὲ λαλεῖ μυστήρια·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• he thatὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• speakethλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
• in anγλῶσσαglōssa · tongueG1100
• notοὐou · noG3756
• unto menἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• unto Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• noοὐδείςoudeis · noneG3762
• man understandethἀκούωakouō · to hearG191
• howbeitδέde · thenG1161
• in the spiritπνεῦμαpneuma · spirit/breath: spiritG4151
• mysteriesμυστήριονmustērion · mysteryG3466

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 14:2

• 1 Corinthians 14:9So it is with you, if you speak words [in an unknown tongue] that are not intelligible and clear, how will anyone understand what you are saying? You will be talking into the air [wasting your breath]!
• Genesis 11:7Come, let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) go down and there confuse and mix up their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.”
• Genesis 42:23They did not know that Joseph understood [their conversation], because he spoke to them through an interpreter.
• Deuteronomy 28:49“The Lord will bring a nation against you from far away, from the end of the earth, [as swift] as the eagle swoops down [to attack], a nation whose language you will not understand,
• 2 Kings 18:26Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebna and Joah, said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in the Aramaic (Syrian) language, because we understand it; and do not speak with us in the Judean (Hebrew) language in the hearing of the people who are on the wall.”
• Acts 2:4And they were all filled [that is, diffused throughout their being] with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues (different languages), as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out [clearly and appropriately].
• Acts 10:46For they heard them talking in [unknown] tongues (languages) and exalting and magnifying and praising God. Then Peter said,
• Acts 19:6And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in [unknown] tongues (languages) and prophesying.
• Acts 22:9Now those who were with me saw the light, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me.
• 1 Corinthians 2:7but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom once hidden [from man, but now revealed to us by God, that wisdom] which God predestined before the ages to our glory [to lift us into the glory of His presence].
• 1 Corinthians 13:2And if I have the gift of prophecy [and speak a new message from God to the people], and understand all mysteries, and [possess] all knowledge; and if I have all [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love [reaching out to others], I am nothing.
• 1 Corinthians 15:51Listen very carefully, I tell you a mystery [a secret truth decreed by God and previously hidden, but now revealed]; we will not all sleep [in death], but we will all be [completely] changed [wondrously transformed],
• Psalms 49:3My mouth will speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart will be understanding.
• Psalms 78:2I will open my mouth in a parable [to instruct using examples]; I will utter dark and puzzling sayings of old [that contain important truth]—
• Matthew 13:11Jesus replied to them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.
• Mark 4:11He said to them, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you [who have teachable hearts], but those who are outside [the unbelievers, the spiritually blind] get everything in parables,

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 14:2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue - This chapter is crowded with difficulties. It is not likely that the Holy Spirit should, in the church, suddenly inspire a man with the knowledge of some foreign language, which none in the church understood but himself; and lead him to treat the mysteries of Christianity in that language, though none in the place could profit by his teaching. Dr. Lightfoot's mode of reconciling these difficulties is the most…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue - This verse is designed to show that the faculty of speaking intelligibly, and to the edification of the church, is of more value than the power of speaking a foreign language. The reason is, that however valuable may be the endowment in itself, and however important the truth which he may utter, yet it is as if he spoke to God only. No one could understand him. Speaketh not unto men - Does not speak so that…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2-4The issue with speaking in tongues is that listeners cannot easily understand the message. However, the gift of prophecy is clear and helpful. It is a message from God that strengthens, encourages, and comforts those who hear it.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. speaketh ... unto God--who alone understands all languages. no man understandeth--generally speaking; the few who have the gift of interpreting tongues are the exception. in the spirit--as opposed to "the understanding" (1Co 14:14). mysteries--unintelligible to the hearers, exciting their wonder, rather than instructing them. Corinth, being a mart resorted to by merchants from Asia, Africa, and Europe, would give scope amidst its mixed population for…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 14:2

• Language
• Preaching
• Tongues (the Gift)

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Confusion
• Desire
• Edification
• Except
• Pipe
• Profit
• Tongues, Gift of
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings