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 love and desire spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy. For the person who speaks in a tongue is not speaking to people but to God, since no one understands him; he speaks mysteries in the Spirit. 3On the other hand, the person who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and consolation. 4The person who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

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 14:9In the same way, unless you use your tongue for intelligible speech, how will what is spoken be known? For you will be speaking into the air.
• Genesis 11:7Come, let’s go down there and confuse their language so that they will not understand one another’s speech.”
• Genesis 42:23They did not realize that Joseph understood them, since there was an interpreter between them.
• Deuteronomy 28:49The Lord will bring a nation from far away, from the ends of the earth, to swoop down on you like an eagle, a nation whose language you won’t understand,
• 2 Kings 18:26Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, Shebnah, and Joah said to the royal spokesman, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Don’t speak with us in Hebrew within earshot of the people on the wall.”
• Acts 2:4Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.
• Acts 10:46For they heard them speaking in tongues and declaring the greatness of God. Then Peter responded,
• Acts 19:6And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began to speak in tongues and to prophesy.
• Acts 22:9Now those who were with me saw the light, but they did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me.
• 1 Corinthians 2:7On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a mystery, a wisdom God predestined before the ages for our glory.
• 1 Corinthians 13:2If I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.
• 1 Corinthians 15:51Listen, I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed,
• Psalms 49:3My mouth speaks wisdom; my heart’s meditation brings understanding.
• Psalms 78:2I will declare wise sayings; I will speak mysteries from the past —
• Matthew 13:11He answered, “Because the secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given for you to know, but it has not been given to them.
• Mark 4:11He answered them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those outside, everything comes 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