1 Corinthians 14:14

1 Corinthians 14:14 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
• New International Version (NIV)For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

Context of 1 Corinthians 14:14

12So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church. 13Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. 16Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?

1 Corinthians 14:14 word by word

ἐὰν γὰρ προσεύχωμαι γλώσσῃ, τὸ πνεῦμά μου προσεύχεται, ὁ δὲ νοῦς μου ἄκαρπός ἐστιν.Read the interlinear

• For ifἐάνean · ifG1437
• I prayπροσεύχομαιproseuchomai · to prayG4336
• in a tongueγλῶσσαglōssa · tongueG1100
• my spiritπνεῦμαpneuma · spirit/breath: spiritG4151
• but my mindνοῦςnous · mindG3563
• is unfruitfulἄκαρποςakarpos · unfruitfulG175

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 14:14

• 1 Corinthians 14:2For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 14:14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14For if I pray in an unknown tongue - If my prayers are composed of sentences and sayings taken out of the prophets, etc., and in their own language - my spirit prayeth, my heart is engaged in the work, and my prayers answer all the purpose of prayers to myself; but my understanding is unfruitful to all others, because they do not understand my prayers, and I either do not or cannot interpret them. See the note on 1 Corinthians 14:19.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14For if I pray … - The reference to prayer here, and to singing in 1 Corinthians 14:15, is designed to illustrate the propriety of the general sentiment which he is defending, that public worship should be conducted in a language that would be intelligible to the people. However well meant it might be, or however the “heart” might be engaged in it, yet unless it was intelligible, and the understanding could join in it, it would be vain and profitless. My…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. 14Speaking in tongues involves the speaker's spirit, as the Holy Spirit speaks through them, but not their mind, since the message is not logically understandable.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. spirit--my higher being, the passive object of the Holy Spirit's operations, and the instrument of prayer in the unknown tongue, distinguished from the "understanding," the active instrument of thought and reasoning; which in this case must be "unfruitful" in edifying others, since the vehicle of expression is unintelligible to them. On the distinction of soul or mind and spirit, see Ep 4:23; He 4:12.Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 14:14

• Interpretation
• Language
• Man
• Preaching
• Tongues (the Gift)

In the dictionaries

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

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