1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 14:21–28

²¹It is written in the Law:

“By strange tongues and foreign lips

I will speak to this people,

but even then they will not listen to Me,

says the Lord.”^c

²²Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.

²³So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who are uninstructed or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds? ²⁴But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all, ²⁵and the secrets of his heart will be made known. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!”

²⁶What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church .

²⁷If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret. ²⁸But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God.

Footnotes

c 14:21 Isaiah 28:11–12|ISA 28:11-12

Read all of 1 Corinthians 14

Word by word

Each English word or phrase beside the Greek it translates, in the order of the English. Choose a number to open that word’s study.

1 Corinthians 14:21

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
It is written	γέγραπται	gegraptai	Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular	G1125 I write
in	ἐν	en	Preposition	G1722 in, on, among
the	τῷ	tō	Article - Dative Masculine Singular	G3588 the
Law	νόμῳ	nomō	Noun - Dative Masculine Singular	G3551 a law, the Mosaic Law
By	Ἐν	En	Preposition	G1722 in, on, among
strange tongues	ἑτερογλώσσοις	heteroglōssois	Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural	G2084 speaking another language
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
foreign	ἑτέρων	heterōn	Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural	G2087 another, different
lips	χείλεσιν	cheilesin	Noun - Dative Neuter Plural	G5491 a lip, mouth, shore
I will speak	λαλήσω	lalēsō	Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular	G2980 I speak, say
to this	τούτῳ	toutō	Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular	G3778 this, he, she, it
people	λαῷ	laō	Noun - Dative Masculine Singular	G2992 a people, the crowd
even	οὐδ’	oud’	Adverb	G3761 neither, nor, not even
then	οὕτως	houtōs	Adverb	G3779 thus, so, in this manner
they will	εἰσακούσονταί	eisakousontai	Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural	G1522 I hear, listen to
Me	μου	mou	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular	G1473 I
says	λέγει	legei	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G3004 I say, speak
Lord	Κύριος	Kyrios	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G2962 lord, Lord, master, sir

1 Corinthians 14:22

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Tongues	γλῶσσαι	glōssai	Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural	G1100 the tongue, a language, nation
then	Ὥστε	Hōste	Conjunction	G5620 so that, therefore
are	εἰσιν	eisin	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural	G1510 I am, exist
a sign	σημεῖόν	sēmeion	Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular	G4592 a sign, miracle, indication
not	οὐ	ou	Adverb	G3756 no, not
for	τοῖς	tois	Article - Dative Masculine Plural	G3588 the
believers	πιστεύουσιν	pisteuousin	Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Masculine Plural	G4100 I believe, have faith in
but	ἀλλὰ	alla	Conjunction	G235 but, except
for	τοῖς	tois	Article - Dative Masculine Plural	G3588 the
unbelievers	ἀπίστοις	apistois	Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural	G571 unbelieving, incredulous, unchristian, unbeliever
Prophecy	προφητεία	prophēteia	Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular	G4394 prophecy
however	ἀλλὰ	alla	Conjunction	G235 but, except
for	τοῖς	tois	Article - Dative Masculine Plural	G3588 the
believers	πιστεύουσιν	pisteuousin	Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Masculine Plural	G4100 I believe, have faith in
not	οὐ	ou	Adverb	G3756 no, not
for	τοῖς	tois	Article - Dative Masculine Plural	G3588 the
unbelievers	ἀπίστοις	apistois	Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural	G571 unbelieving, incredulous, unchristian, unbeliever

1 Corinthians 14:23

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
So	οὖν	oun	Conjunction	G3767 therefore, then
if	Ἐὰν	Ean	Conjunction	G1437 if
the	ἡ	hē	Article - Nominative Feminine Singular	G3588 the
whole	ὅλη	holē	Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular	G3650 all, the whole, entire
church	ἐκκλησία	ekklēsia	Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular	G1577 an assembly, congregation, church
comes	συνέλθῃ	synelthē	Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular	G4905 I come or go with, accompany, assemble
together	ἐπὶ	epi	Preposition	G1909 on, to, against, on the basis of, at
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
everyone	πάντες	pantes	Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural	G3956 all, the whole, every kind of
speaks	λαλῶσιν	lalōsin	Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural	G2980 I speak, say
in tongues	γλώσσαις	glōssais	Noun - Dative Feminine Plural	G1100 the tongue, a language, nation
and	δὲ	de	Conjunction	G1161 but, on the other hand, and
some who are uninstructed	ἰδιῶται	idiōtai	Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural	G2399 an amateur, layman
or	ἢ	ē	Conjunction	G2228 or, than
some unbelievers	ἄπιστοι	apistoi	Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural	G571 unbelieving, incredulous, unchristian, unbeliever
come in	εἰσέλθωσιν	eiselthōsin	Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural	G1525 I go in, come in, enter
will they not say	ἐροῦσιν	erousin	Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural	G2046 I say, speak
that	ὅτι	hoti	Conjunction	G3754 that, since, because
you are out of your minds	μαίνεσθε	mainesthe	Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural	G3105 I am raving mad

1 Corinthians 14:24

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
But	δὲ	de	Conjunction	G1161 but, on the other hand, and
if	ἐὰν	ean	Conjunction	G1437 if
an	τις	tis	Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G5100 any one, some one
unbeliever	ἄπιστος	apistos	Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular	G571 unbelieving, incredulous, unchristian, unbeliever
or	ἢ	ē	Conjunction	G2228 or, than
uninstructed person	ἰδιώτης	idiōtēs	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G2399 an amateur, layman
comes in	εἰσέλθῃ	eiselthē	Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular	G1525 I go in, come in, enter
while	δέ	de	Conjunction	G1161 but, on the other hand, and
everyone	πάντες	pantes	Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural	G3956 all, the whole, every kind of
is prophesying	προφητεύωσιν	prophēteuōsin	Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural	G4395 I foretell, prophesy
he will be convicted	ἐλέγχεται	elenchetai	Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular	G1651 I rebuke, expose
called to account	ἀνακρίνεται	anakrinetai	Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular	G350 I examine, inquire into
by	ὑπὸ	hypo	Preposition	G5259 by, under, about
all	πάντων	pantōn	Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural	G3956 all, the whole, every kind of

1 Corinthians 14:25

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
the	τὰ	ta	Article - Nominative Neuter Plural	G3588 the
secrets	κρυπτὰ	krypta	Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural	G2927 hidden, secret
of	τῆς	tēs	Article - Genitive Feminine Singular	G3588 the
his	αὐτοῦ	autou	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular	G846 he, she, it, they, them, same
heart	καρδίας	kardias	Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular	G2588 the heart, inner life, intention
will be	γίνεται	ginetai	Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular	G1096 I come into being, am born
made known	φανερὰ	phanera	Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural	G5318 apparent, clear, visible, manifest, clearly
So	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
he will fall	πεσὼν	pesōn	Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular	G4098 I fall, fall under
facedown	πρόσωπον	prosōpon	Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular	G4383 the face, countenance, surface
worship	προσκυνήσει	proskynēsei	Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G4352 I worship
God	Θεῷ	Theō	Noun - Dative Masculine Singular	G2316 God, a god
proclaiming	ἀπαγγέλλων	apangellōn	Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular	G518 I report, bring a report, announce
God	Θεὸς	Theos	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G2316 God, a god
is	ἐστιν	estin	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G1510 I am, exist
truly	Ὄντως	Ontōs	Adverb	G3689 really, truly
among	ἐν	en	Preposition	G1722 in, on, among
you	ὑμῖν	hymin	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural	G4771 you

1 Corinthians 14:26

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
What	Τί	Ti	Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular	G5101 who, which, what
then	οὖν	oun	Conjunction	G3767 therefore, then
brothers	ἀδελφοί	adelphoi	Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural	G80 a brother
When	ὅταν	hotan	Conjunction	G3752 when, whensoever
you come together	συνέρχησθε	synerchēsthe	Verb - Present Subjunctive Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural	G4905 I come or go with, accompany, assemble
everyone	ἕκαστος	hekastos	Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular	G1538 each, every one
has	ἔχει	echei	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G2192 I have, hold, possess
a psalm	ψαλμὸν	psalmon	Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular	G5568 a psalm
a teaching	διδαχὴν	didachēn	Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular	G1322 teaching, doctrine
a revelation	ἀποκάλυψιν	apokalypsin	Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular	G602 an unveiling, uncovering, revealing
a tongue	γλῶσσαν	glōssan	Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular	G1100 the tongue, a language, nation
an interpretation	ἑρμηνείαν	hermēneian	Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular	G2058 translation, interpretation
All	πάντα	panta	Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural	G3956 all, the whole, every kind of
must be done	γινέσθω	ginesthō	Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular	G1096 I come into being, am born
to	πρὸς	pros	Preposition	G4314 to, towards, with
build up	οἰκοδομὴν	oikodomēn	Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular	G3619 the act of building, a building, edification

1 Corinthians 14:27

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
If	Εἴτε	Eite	Conjunction	G1535 and if, whether
anyone	τις	tis	Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G5100 any one, some one
speaks	λαλεῖ	lalei	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G2980 I speak, say
in a tongue	γλώσσῃ	glōssē	Noun - Dative Feminine Singular	G1100 the tongue, a language, nation
two	δύο	dyo	Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural	G1417 two
or	ἢ	ē	Conjunction	G2228 or, than
most	πλεῖστον	pleiston	Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular - Superlative	G4118 the greatest, the most
three	τρεῖς	treis	Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural	G5140 three
in	ἀνὰ	ana	Preposition	G303 and, apiece, by, each, every, in, through
turn	μέρος	meros	Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular	G3313 a part, portion
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
someone	εἷς	heis	Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular	G1520 one
must interpret	διερμηνευέτω	diermēneuetō	Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G1329 I translate, interpret, explain

1 Corinthians 14:28

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
But	δὲ	de	Conjunction	G1161 but, on the other hand, and
if	ἐὰν	ean	Conjunction	G1437 if
there is	ᾖ	ē	Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular	G1510 I am, exist
no	μὴ	mē	Adverb	G3361 not, lest
interpreter	διερμηνευτής	diermēneutēs	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G1328 an interpreter
he should remain silent	σιγάτω	sigatō	Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G4601 I keep silent
in	ἐν	en	Preposition	G1722 in, on, among
church	ἐκκλησίᾳ	ekklēsia	Noun - Dative Feminine Singular	G1577 an assembly, congregation, church
and	δὲ	de	Conjunction	G1161 but, on the other hand, and
speak	λαλείτω	laleitō	Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G2980 I speak, say
to himself	ἑαυτῷ	heautō	Reflexive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular	G1438 himself, herself, itself
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
God	Θεῷ	Theō	Noun - Dative Masculine Singular	G2316 God, a god