On Speaking in Unknown Languages
14[1-19] Go after love, and ask for spiritual gifts, but more than that, ask that you may preach. Because whoever speaks in an unknown spiritual language doesn’t speak to humans, but to God, because no one understands them; even though they speak secrets in the spirit. But whoever preaches speaks to others to make them strong, to encourage them, and to comfort them. Whoever speaks in a spiritual language makes themselves strong; but whoever preaches makes those of the church strong. I wish that all of you could speak with spiritual languages, but I would rather that you preach, because the one who preaches is more important than the one who speaks with spiritual languages, unless it can be interpreted, so that the church may be made strong. Now, Christians, if I come to you speaking with all kinds of languages, what good will I do you, unless I speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by preaching, or by laws? And even things without life giving sounds, like a flute or a harp, unless it makes a difference in its sounds, how can we know what is played? If the trumpet gives an unknown sound, who will know to get ready for the battle? So in the same way, unless you speak words that are easy to understand, how can anyone know what you speak? You may as well speak into the air. There are, it can be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them are without significance. So if I don’t know the meaning of the voice, I’ll be like a foreigner to those who speak, and whoever speaks will be like a foreigner to me. Even so, since you’re passionate of spiritual gifts, be sure to pray for those which build up the church. And let those who speak in a spiritual language pray that they can interpret, because if I pray in an unknown language, my spirit prays, but I don’t understand what I pray. So what am I saying then? I’ll pray in the spirit, and I’ll pray with understanding also: I’ll sing in the spirit, and I’ll sing with understanding, also. Or else, when you bless with the spirit, how will those in the room who haven’t heard the Word say “So be it” at your giving of thanks, seeing they don’t understand what you say? The truth is, you gives thanks well, but they aren’t helped at all. I thank my God that I speak with these languages more than you all: Yet in the church, I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that by My voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown language.
[20-25] So everyone, don’t be like children in understanding: even though you should be like children in anger, but in understanding, be adults. In the Word of God it says, “With those of other languages and other lips I will speak to this people; but even so they won’t hear Me, said God.” So these languages are for a sign for unbelievers, not to those who believe: but preaching is for those who believe, and not for unbelievers. So, if the whole church has come together, and everyone speaks in an unknown spiritual language, and those that haven’t heard the Word before, or are either unbelievers come in, won’t they say that you’re crazy? But if everyone preaches clearly, and someone comes in that doesn’t believe, or hasn’t ever heard the Word before, they’ll be convinced by everyone, and they’ll be judged by everyone: And so the secrets of their hearts are made clear; and they will bow their heads and worship God, and say that God is truly in you.
On Orderly Worship, Speaking in Spiritual Languages, Women
[26-40] How is it then, Christians, that when you come together, everyone has a song, a Scripture, a spiritual language, a revelation, or an interpretation? Let everything be done to benefit of all. If anyone speaks in an unknown language, let it be by two, or at the most three, and that in turn; and let someone interpret it. But if there isn’t an interpreter, let them not speak out in the church; but let them speak quietly to themselves, and to God. Let two or three preachers speak, and let someone else judge what they speak. If any thing is made known to someone else there, let the first speaker be quiet. Now, you can all preach one by one, so that everyone can learn, and be in good spirits. And the spirits of the preachers are responsible to the preachers. God doesn’t bring confusion, but peace, as it should be in all churches of the Christians. And your women shouldn’t speak out in a disorderly manner in the churches either, because it isn’t permitted for them to speak out this way; but they’re told to be helpful, as the Word of God says. And if they have questions, they should ask their husbands about it at home because it’s a shame for women to be disorderly in the church. Did the Word of God come from you? Or did it come to you only? If anyone thinks of themselves as a preacher, or spiritual, let them acknowledge that the things that I write to you are the Words of God. But if anyone is ignorant, let them be ignorant. Christians, you should want to preach, and don’t forbid anyone to speak in spiritual languages. But let everything be done properly and in order.
