1 Corinthians 14:39

1 Corinthians 14:39 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
• New International Version (NIV)Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
• English Standard Version (ESV)So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.

Context of 1 Corinthians 14:39

37If you claim to be a prophet or think you are spiritual, you should recognize that what I am saying is a command from the Lord himself. 38But if you do not recognize this, you yourself will not be recognized. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking in tongues. 40But be sure that everything is done properly and in order.

1 Corinthians 14:39 word by word

Ὥστε, ἀδελφοί μου, ζηλοῦτε τὸ προφητεύειν, καὶ τὸ λαλεῖν μὴ κωλύετε γλώσσαις.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Whereforeὥστεhōste · soG5620
• brethrenἀδελφόςadelphos · brotherG80
• covetζηλόωzēloō · be eagerG2206
• to prophesyπροφητεύωprophēteuō · to prophesyG4395
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• forbidκωλύωkōluō · to preventG2967
• notμήmē · notG3361
• to speakλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
• with tonguesγλῶσσαglōssa · tongueG1100

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 14:39

• 1 Corinthians 14:1Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy.
• 1 Corinthians 12:31So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:20Do not scoff at prophecies,

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 14:39

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 39Covet to prophesy - Let it be your endeavor and prayer to be able to teach the way of God to the ignorant; this is the most valuable, because the most useful gift of the Spirit. And forbid not to speak with tongues - Let every gift have its own place and operation; let none envy another; nor prevent him from doing that part of the work to which God, by giving the qualification, has evidently called him.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 39Covet to prophesy - See the note at 1 Corinthians 14:1. This is the “summing up” of all that he had said. It was “desirable” that a man should wish to be able to speak, under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, in such a manner as to edify the church. And forbid not … - Do not suppose that the power of speaking foreign languages is useless, or is to be despised, or that it is to be prohibited. “In its own place” it is a valuable endowment; and on proper…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 34-40Verses 34-40 When the apostle exhorts Christian women to seek information on religious subjects from their husbands at home, it shows that believing families ought to assemble for promoting spiritual knowledge. The Spirit of Christ can never contradict itself; and if their revelations are against those of the apostle, they do not come from the same Spirit. The way to keep peace, truth, and order in the church, is to seek that which is good for it, to bear…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 39-40Paul summarizes his discussion on spiritual gifts in chapters 12 to 14.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3939. covet--earnestly desire. Stronger than "forbid not"; marking how much higher he esteemed "prophecy" than "tongues."Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 14:39

• Tongues (the Gift)

In the dictionaries

• Confusion
• Desire
• Edification
• Except
• Pipe
• Profit
• Affect; Affection
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Covet
• Holy Spirit

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