1 Corinthians 14:13

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 then I do not know the meaning of a language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. 12It is the same with you. Since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, seek to abound in order to strengthen the church. So then, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. 14If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive. 15What should I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praises with my spirit, but I will also sing praises with my mind.

1 Corinthians 14:13 word by word

Διὸ ὁ λαλῶν γλώσσῃ προσευχέσθω ἵνα διερμηνεύῃ.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Whereforeδιόπερdioper · forG1355
• let himὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• that speakethλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
• in anγλῶσσαglōssa · tongueG1100
• prayπροσεύχομαιproseuchomai · to prayG4336
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• he may interpretδιερμηνεύωdiermēneuō · to interpretG1329

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 14:13

• 1 Corinthians 14:27If someone speaks in a tongue, it should be two, or at the most three, one after the other, and someone must interpret.
• 1 Corinthians 12:10to another performance of miracles, to another prophecy, and to another discernment of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.
• Mark 11:24For this reason I tell you, whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
• John 14:13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
• Acts 1:14All these continued together in prayer with one mind, together with the women, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
• Acts 4:29And now, Lord, pay attention to their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your message with great courage,
• Acts 8:15These two went down and prayed for them so that they 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

• Church
• Interpretation
• Interpreter
• Language
• Miracles
• Preaching
• Tongues (the Gift)

In the dictionaries

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

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