God’s Word Translation
1 Corinthians 14:13
13So the person who speaks in another language should pray for an interpretation of what he says.
1 Corinthians 14:13 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
- New International Version (NIV)For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
Context of 1 Corinthians 14:13
11If I don’t know what a language means, I will be a foreigner to the person who speaks it and that person will be a foreigner to me. 12In the same way, since you’re eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in them so that you help the church grow. So the person who speaks in another language should pray for an interpretation of what he says. 14If I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my mind is not productive. 15So what does this mean? It means that I will pray with my spirit, and I will pray with my mind. I will sing psalms with my spirit, and I will sing psalms with my mind.
Read all of 1 Corinthians 141 Corinthians 14:13 word by word
Διὸ ὁ λαλῶν γλώσσῃ προσευχέσθω ἵνα διερμηνεύῃ.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 14:13
- 1 Corinthians 14:27If people speak in other languages, only two or three at the most should speak. They should do it one at a time, and someone must interpret what each person says.
- 1 Corinthians 12:10Another can work miracles. Another can speak what God has revealed. Another can tell the difference between spirits. Another can speak in different kinds of languages. Another can interpret languages.
- Mark 11:24That’s why I tell you to have faith that you have already received whatever you pray for, and it will be yours.
- John 14:13I will do anything you ask ⌞the Father⌟ in my name so that the Father will be given glory because of the Son.
- Acts 1:14The apostles had a single purpose as they devoted themselves to prayer. They were joined by some women, including Mary (the mother of Jesus), and they were joined by his brothers.
- Acts 4:29“Lord, pay attention to their threats now, and allow us to speak your word boldly.
- Acts 8:15Peter and John went to Samaria and prayed that the Samaritans would receive the Holy Spirit.
Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 14:13
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13Pray that he may interpret - Let him who speaks or reads the prophetic declarations in the Old Testament, in that tongue in which they were originally spoken and written, pray to God that he may so understand them himself, and receive the gift of interpretation, that he may be able to explain them in all their depth and latitude to others.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13Pray that he may interpret - Let him ask of God ability that he may explain it clearly to the church. It would seem probable that the power of speaking foreign languages, and the power of conveying truth in a clear and distinct manner, were not always found in the same person, and that the one did not of necessity imply the other. The truth seems to have been, that these extraordinary endowments of the Holy Spirit were bestowed upon people in some such…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-14Verses 6-14 Even an apostle could not edify, unless he spoke so as to be understood by his hearers. To speak words that have no meaning to those who hear them, is but speaking into the air. That cannot answer the end of speaking, which has no meaning; in this case, speaker and hearers are barbarians to each other. All religious services should be so performed in Christian assemblies, that all may join in, and profit by them. Language plain and easy to be…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13Paul does not forbid speaking in tongues (see 14:39), but interpreting is crucial, especially in public worship (see 14:27–28).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. Explain, "Let him who speaketh with a tongue [unknown] in his prayer (or, when praying) strive that he may interpret" [Alford]. This explanation of "pray" is needed by its logical connection with "prayer in an unknown tongue" (1Co 14:14). Though his words be unintelligible to his hearers, let him in them pray that he may obtain the gift of interpreting, which will make them "edifying" to "the church" (1Co 14:12).Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Corinthians 14:13
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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