31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 32 And (A)the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of [a]confusion but of peace, (B)as in all the churches of the saints.

34 (C)Let [b]your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the (D)law also says. 35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.

36 Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached? 37 (E)If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But [c]if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

39 Therefore, brethren, (F)desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. 40 (G)Let all things be done decently and in order.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:33 disorder
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:34 NU omits your
  3. 1 Corinthians 14:38 NU if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be [a]exhorted; 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; 33 for God is not a God of (A)confusion, but of peace.

As in (B)all the churches of the [b](C)saints, 34 the women are to (D)keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but (E)are to subject themselves, just as (F)the Law also says. 35 If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is [c]improper for a woman to speak in church. 36 Or was it from you that the word of God first went out? Or has it come to you only?

37 (G)If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or (H)spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you (I)are the Lord’s commandment. 38 But if anyone does not recognize this, [d]he is not recognized.

39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, (J)earnestly desire to (K)prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But (L)all things must be done properly and in an orderly way.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:31 Or encouraged
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:33 I.e., God’s people
  3. 1 Corinthians 14:35 Or disgraceful
  4. 1 Corinthians 14:38 Two early mss let him continue not to recognize it

31 For [in this way] you can all prophesy one by one, so that everyone may be instructed and everyone may be encouraged; 32 for the spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets [the prophecy is under the speaker’s control, and he can stop speaking]; 33 for God [who is the source of their prophesying] is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order.

As [is the practice] in all the churches of the saints (God’s people),

34 the [a]women should be silent in the churches, for they are not authorized to speak, but are to take a subordinate place, as the Law says. 35 If there is anything they want to learn [that is, if they have questions about anything being said or taught], they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a [b]woman to talk in church. 36 Did the word of the Lord originate from you [Corinthians], or has it come to you only [so that you know best what God requires]?

37 If anyone thinks and claims that he is a prophet [a true spokesman for God] or spiritually astute [filled with and energized by the Holy Spirit], let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment. 38 If anyone does not recognize this [that it is a command of the Lord], he is not recognized [by God].

39 Therefore, believers, desire earnestly to prophesy [to foretell the future, to speak a new message from God to the people], and do not forbid speaking in unknown tongues. 40 But all things must be done appropriately and in an orderly manner.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:34 When used elsewhere in the New Testament, in specific reference to a woman (cf Eph 5:22; Col 3:18; Titus 2:4, 5; 1 Peter 3:1, 5), this word refers to a married woman, so these admonitions (vv 34, 35) may be directed primarily to the wives of believing husbands.
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:35 Paul does not comment on unmarried women; they probably have to abide by the prohibition against speaking out in church as well, and ask questions outside the service.

31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.(A) 33 For God is not a God of disorder(B) but of peace(C)—as in all the congregations(D) of the Lord’s people.(E)

34 Women[a] should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak,(F) but must be in submission,(G) as the law(H) says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.[b]

36 Or did the word of God(I) originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks they are a prophet(J) or otherwise gifted by the Spirit,(K) let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.(L) 38 But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.[c]

39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager(M) to prophesy,(N) and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly(O) way.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:34 Or peace. As in all the congregations of the Lord’s people, 34 women
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:35 In a few manuscripts these verses come after verse 40.
  3. 1 Corinthians 14:38 Some manuscripts But anyone who is ignorant of this will be ignorant

31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.

35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

Read full chapter