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1 Corinthians 14

1 - Follow after love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
2 - For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries.
3 - But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation.
4 - He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly.
5 - Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up.
6 - But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with other languages, what would I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?
7 - Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they didn't give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped?
8 - For if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war?
9 - So also you, unless you uttered by the tongue words easy to understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you would be speaking into the air.
10 - There are, it may be, so many kinds of sounds in the world, and none of them is without meaning.
11 - If then I don't know the meaning of the sound, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks would be a foreigner to me.
12 - So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.
13 - Therefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may interpret.
14 - For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 - What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
16 - Otherwise if you bless with the spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say the "Amen" at your giving of thanks, seeing he doesn't know what you say?
17 - For you most certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up.
18 - I thank my God, I speak with other languages more than you all.
19 - However in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in another language.
20 - Brothers, don't be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature.
21 - In the law it is written, "By men of strange languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people. Not even thus will they hear me, says the Lord."Isaiah 28:11-12
22 - Therefore other languages are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to the unbelieving; but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to those who believe.
23 - If therefore the whole assembly is assembled together and all speak with other languages, and unlearned or unbelieving people come in, won't they say that you are crazy?
24 - But if all prophesy, and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and he is judged by all.
25 - And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed. So he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.
26 - What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up.
27 - If any man speaks in another language, let it be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret.
28 - But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29 - Let the prophets speak, two or three, and let the others discern.
30 - But if a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first keep silent.
31 - For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted.
32 - The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets,
33 - for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints.
34 - Let the women be quiet in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to be talking except in submission, as the law also says,Deuteronomy 27:9
35 - if they desire to learn anything. "Let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to be talking in the assembly."
36 - What!? Was it from you that the word of God went out? Or did it come to you alone?
37 - If any man thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him recognize the things which I write to you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.
38 - But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 - Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don't forbid speaking with other languages.
40 - Let all things be done decently and in order.
1 Corinthians Images and Notes

The Book of 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 4:5 - Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - Charity suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

1 Corinthians in The New Testament - A Brief Overview

Painting of the Apostle Paul by Rembrandt - 1657
Painting of Paul the Apostle by Rembrandt - 1657

Introduction to The Book of 1 Corinthians

Brief Summary. Paul exhorts the church at Corinth regarding disorders, problems, abuses, and heresies.

Summary of The Book of 1 Corinthians

Purpose. Paul desired to correct some of the problems that had arisen at the church in Corinth. Paul addresses questions which the church at Corinth had sent to him in a letter delivered by Fortunatus, Stephanus, and Achaicus. Paul deals with each problem individually in order. He rebukes the parties which arose from a divisive spirit and a failure to humble themselves before the true wisdom of God. He also rebukes strongly a case of incest which existed in the church. He also encourages the believers to settle disputes among themselves and the church, not bringing lawsuits into heathen courts. He also urges Christians to  "flee fornication," which was obviously a big problem in licentious Corinth. Paul also deals with many of the problems connected with marriage. He then discusses Christian liberty and how to live in a community filled with idolatry. He also instructs the church regarding the conduct of women in public worship and the abuses concerning the Lord's Supper. He also urges Christians to desire spiritual gifts and to use them properly. 1 Corinthians 13 is the famous "love" chapter and Paul defines what true Christian love is. Paul also addresses the resurrection of the dead, and the glorified bodies awaiting the believers in Christ. He encourages the church at Corinth to take up a collection for the poor at Jerusalem, and he lets them know that he intended visit to Corinth soon. He concludes with practical concerns as well as the customary salutations, warnings, and benediction.

Authorship. Paul was the author of the book of 1 Corinthians.

Date. Most scholars agree that 1 Corinthians was written in 55 AD

Place of Writing. Ephesus (1 Corinthians 16:8).

Outline of the Book of 1 Corinthians

Unity Versus Division - Chapters 1-3
Order Versus Disorder -  Chapters 4-11
Church Gifts, Love, and Doctrines - Chapters 12-16

Jesus written in Hebrew
The Name Jesus In Ancient Hebrew Text
"Yeshua" in First Century Hebrew Text. This is how the name "Jesus" would have been written in ancient Hebrew documents. The four letters or consonants from right to left are Yod, Shin, Vav, Ayin (Y, SH, OO, A). Jesus is the Greek name for the Hebrew name Joshua or Y'shua which means "The LORD or Yahweh is Salvation".

1 Corinthians Maps and Resources

Map of the Roman Empire (14 A.D.) - This map reveals the Roman Empire during the time shortly after the birth of Jesus, in 14 AD at the time of the death of Augustus. The order which prevailed in this extensive empire, the good military roads, and the use of Koine Greek as the general language of culture throughout the area were among the factors which multiplied the rapid spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Color Map)

Map of Paul's First Missionary Journey (48 A.D.) - This map reveals the areas in Asia Minor where Paul visited in his first missionary journey. Around 48 AD, in the springtime, Paul and his companions Barnabas and Mark were sent on a mission from the church in Antioch. This would be the first of Paul's Missionary Journey's. (Color Map)

Map of Paul's Second Missionary Journey (51 A.D.) - This map reveals the areas in Asia and Greece where Paul visited in his second missionary journey. Paul re-visits a couple cities in Asia, one of which was Lystra where he was stoned and left for dead a few years earlier. He later has a vision that leads him over to Greece and Paul and his companions travel and minister in various cities in Greece (Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens and Corinth. Later Paul returns to Ephesus and finally to Caesarea and Antioch. (Color Map)

Map of Paul's Third Missionary Journey (54 A.D.) - This map reveals the areas in Asia and Greece where Paul visited in his third missionary journey. On Paul's third missionary journey he returned to the cities he had first visited on his first missionary journey. During this time he decided to remain in Ephesus for about 3 years, and this city was the main focus of his activities and an important Christian community (Acts 19). (Color Map)

Map of the New Testament World - This map reveals the "Nations" within the ancient world during the first century A.D., the time of the New Testament. The map includes the areas of Israel, Asia, Greece, and Italy. (Color Map)

Map of New Testament Greece This map reveals the cities within Greece in the ancient world during the first century A.D.,The map includes the principal cities of Greece like: Athens, Corinth, and Thessalonica, and provinces like Macedonia and Achaia. (Color Map)