English Standard Version
1 Corinthians 14:27
27If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret.
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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)No more than two or three should speak in tongues. They must speak one at a time, and someone must interpret what they say.
Context of 1 Corinthians 14:27
25the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you. 26What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. 29Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.
Read all of 1 Corinthians 141 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
In the dictionaries
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries