1 Corinthians 14:39

1 Corinthians 14:39 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
• New International Version (NIV)Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
• English Standard Version (ESV)So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.

Context of 1 Corinthians 14:39

37If anyone thinks and claims that he is a prophet [a true spokesman for God] or spiritually astute [filled with and energized by the Holy Spirit], let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment. 38If anyone does not recognize this [that it is a command of the Lord], he is not recognized [by God]. Therefore, believers, desire earnestly to prophesy [to foretell the future, to speak a new message from God to the people], and do not forbid speaking in unknown tongues. 40But all things must be done appropriately and in an orderly manner.

1 Corinthians 14:39 word by word

Ὥστε, ἀδελφοί μου, ζηλοῦτε τὸ προφητεύειν, καὶ τὸ λαλεῖν μὴ κωλύετε γλώσσαις.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Whereforeὥστεhōste · soG5620
• brethrenἀδελφόςadelphos · brotherG80
• covetζηλόωzēloō · be eagerG2206
• to prophesyπροφητεύωprophēteuō · to prophesyG4395
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• forbidκωλύωkōluō · to preventG2967
• notμήmē · notG3361
• to speakλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
• with tonguesγλῶσσαglōssa · tongueG1100

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 14:39

• 1 Corinthians 14:1Pursue [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].
• 1 Corinthians 12:31But earnestly desire and strive for the greater gifts [if acquiring them is going to be your goal]. And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one of the choicest graces and the highest of them all: unselfish love].
• 1 Thessalonians 5:20Do not scorn or reject gifts of prophecy or prophecies [spoken revelations—words of instruction or exhortation or warning].

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 14:39

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 39Covet to prophesy - Let it be your endeavor 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.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 39Covet to prophesy - See the note at 1 Corinthians 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…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 34-40Verses 34-40 When the apostle exhorts Christian women to seek information on religious subjects from their husbands at home, it shows that believing families ought to assemble for promoting spiritual knowledge. The Spirit of Christ can never contradict itself; and if their revelations are against those of the apostle, they do not come from the same Spirit. The way to keep peace, truth, and order in the church, is to seek that which is good for it, to bear…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 39-40Paul summarizes his discussion on spiritual gifts in chapters 12 to 14.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3939. covet--earnestly desire. Stronger than "forbid not"; marking how much higher he esteemed "prophecy" than "tongues."Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 14:39

• Tongues (the Gift)

In the dictionaries

• Confusion
• Desire
• Edification
• Except
• Pipe
• Profit
• Affect; Affection
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Covet
• Holy Spirit

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