1 Corinthians 14:28
What does 1 Corinthians 14:28 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 14:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 14:28 means
If no interpreter is available, the tongue-speaker should refrain from addressing the congregation. Instead, he may commune quietly with God. This protects the assembly from unintelligible speech while honoring the reality of the person’s spiritual experience. The instruction reveals that spiritual manifestations are subject to loving discipline; they are not uncontrollable outbursts. By choosing silence in public without interpretation, the believer upholds the priority of edification for others. This verse helps create a culture where private devotion and corporate order are both respected, and where the right place for each expression is discerned for the good of the whole church.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But if there is no one to give the sense, let him keep quiet in the church; and let his words be to himself and to God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and if there may be no interpreter, let him be silent in an assembly, and to himself let him speak, and to God.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But if there be no interpreter, let him hold his peace in the church and speak to himself and to God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890but if there be no interpreter, let him be silent in [the] assembly, and let him speak to himself and toGod.
Context
This directive follows naturally from the requirement of interpretation. If the condition is unmet, the loving course is restraint. The flow will proceed to guidance for prophetic speech, showing that the same principles of order and mutual consideration apply there as well. Paul is constructing a comprehensive framework for worship in which diverse gifts function harmoniously, with each participant willing to yield for clarity, peace, and the instruction of all.
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