1 Corinthians 14:27

1 Corinthians 14:27 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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.
• New International Version (NIV)If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.
• English Standard Version (ESV)If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret.
• New King James Version (NKJV)If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.

Context of 1 Corinthians 14:27

25The visitor's secret thoughts will become clear. As a result, he will bend down to the ground and he will worship God. He will say, ‘God is really here among you!’ 26My Christian friends, this is what you should do when you meet together. Some of you may have a song to praise God. Some of you may have a lesson to teach about God. Other people may have a special thing that God has shown to them. Some people may have a message in a special language. Other people may explain what the message means. Do all these things to help the church become stronger. If some people speak in special languages, it should only be two or three people. They should speak one person at a time. Then someone must explain what each person said. 28But perhaps there is nobody among you who can explain like that. Then, anyone who wanted to speak in a special language must be quiet in your meeting. When they are on their own, they should speak to God. 29When you meet together, two or three people should speak a message from God. Then the other people there should think carefully about each message.

1 Corinthians 14:27 word by word

εἴτε γλώσσῃ τις λαλεῖ, κατὰ δύο ἢ τὸ πλεῖστον τρεῖς καὶ ἀνὰ μέρος· καὶ εἷς διερμηνευέτω·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Ifεἴτεeite · whetherG1535
• any manτιςtis · oneG5100
• speakλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
• inκατάkata · according toG2596
• anγλῶσσαglōssa · tongueG1100
• byἀνάana · eachG303
• twoδύοduo · twoG1417
• orἤē · orG2228
• at the mostπλεῖστοςpleistos · mostG4118
• threeτρεῖςtreis tria · ThreeG5140
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• by courseμέροςmeros · partG3313
• letδιερμηνεύωdiermēneuō · to interpretG1329
• oneεἷςheis · oneG1520

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 14:27

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 27Speak in an unknown tongue - The Hebrew, as has already been conjectured. Let it be by two; or at the most by three, and that by course - Let only two or three in one assembly act in this way, that too much time may not be taken up with one exercise; and let this be done by course, the one after the other, that two may not be speaking at the same time: and let one interpret for all that shall thus speak.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 27Let it be by two, or at the most by three - That is, two, or at most three in one day, or in one meeting. So Grotius, Rosenmuller, Doddridge, Bloomfield, and Locke, understand it. It is probable that many were endowed with the gift of tongues; and it is certain that they were disposed to exercise the gift even when it could be of no real advantage, and when it was done only for ostentation. Paul had shown to them 1 Corinthians 14:22, that the main design…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 26-33Verses 26-33 Religious exercises in public assemblies should have this view; Let all be done to edifying. As to the speaking in an unknown tongue, if another were present who could interpret, two miraculous gifts might be exercised at once, and thereby the church be edified, and the faith of the hearers confirmed at the same time. As to prophesying, two or three only should speak at one meeting, and this one after the other, not all at once. The man who…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 27-28Paul 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.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2727. let it be by two--at each time, in one assembly; not more than two or three might speak with tongues at each meeting. by course--in turns. let one interpret--one who has the gift of interpreting tongues; and not more than one.Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 14:27

• Interpreter
• Language
• Tongues (the Gift)

In the dictionaries

• Confusion
• Desire
• Edification
• Except
• Pipe
• Profit
• Tongues, Gift of
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Course
• 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