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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said.

Context of 1 Corinthians 14:13

11If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. 12So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church. For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. 14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.

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 anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.
• 1 Corinthians 12:10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
• Mark 11:24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, 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 1:14They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
• Acts 4:29Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
• Acts 8:15When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might 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