Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 14:29

What does 1 Corinthians 14:29 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 14:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 14:29 means

Prophetic speech, too, must be ordered. Only two or three should speak, and others—likely the rest of the prophets or discerning members—should weigh what is said. This safeguards the church from error and ensures that prophetic words align with apostolic teaching and the Spirit’s character. Prophecy is not beyond evaluation; it invites testing. The process turns the congregation into active listeners rather than passive recipients. It also protects individuals from pride and the assembly from credulity, fostering a culture in which truth is honored, gifts are exercised humbly, and all things are measured by their faithfulness and their fruit in building up the church.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And let the prophets speak by two or three, and let the others discern.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And let the prophets speak by two or three, and let the others discern.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And let the prophets give their words, but not more than two or three, and let the others be judges of what they say.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And prophets--let two or three speak, and let the others discern,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And let the prophets speak, two or three: and let the rest judge.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.

Context

After limiting tongues, Paul applies similar order to prophecy: few speakers and communal discernment. The next verse will add a protocol for when a fresh revelation comes, urging the current speaker to yield. This continues to build the picture of a meeting governed by love and self-control, where even Spirit-inspired speech is subject to order so that the whole church can learn and be encouraged without confusion or competition among speakers.

v.28but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

v.29This passage

v.30But if a revelation be made to another sitting by, let the first keep silence.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:10

    and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits: to another divers kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues:

  • 1 John 4:1

    Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:19

    Quench not the Spirit;

  • 1 Corinthians 14:39

    Wherefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

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