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

11But if I don’t understand a language, I will be a foreigner to someone who speaks it, and the one who speaks it will be a foreigner to me. 12And the same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church. So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said. 14For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying. 15Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand.

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 14:27No more than two or three should speak in tongues. They must speak one at a time, and someone must interpret what they say.
• 1 Corinthians 12:10He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said.
• Mark 11:24I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.
• John 14:13You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.
• Acts 1:14They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.
• Acts 4:29And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word.
• Acts 8:15As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to 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