1 Corinthians 14: Build Each Other Up

Paul urges the Corinthians to pursue love and to desire spiritual gifts, especially prophecy, because it builds up the church. Speaking in an unknown language without interpretation helps only the speaker, but understandable words strengthen, encourage, and comfort others. Paul wants worship that visitors can understand and that builds up everyone. He gives practical guidance so that speakers take turns and others weigh what is said, because God is not a God of confusion but of peace. All things should be done decently and in order.

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Read 1 Corinthians 14

World English Bible · 40 verses

¹ Follow after love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
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.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but even more 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.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
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?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ Even lifeless things that make a sound, whether pipe or harp, if they didn’t give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ For if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
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.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without meaning.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ If then I don’t know the meaning of the language, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks would be a foreigner to me.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ Therefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may interpret.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ What should I do? 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.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
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?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ For you most certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ I thank my God, I speak with other languages more than you all.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
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.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁰ Brothers, don’t be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²¹ In the law it is written, “By men of strange languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people. They won’t even listen to me that way, says the Lord.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
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.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
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?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁴ But if all prophesy, and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and he is judged by all.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
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.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
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, or has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁷ If any man speaks in another language, let there be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁸ But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself and to God.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁹ Let two or three of the prophets speak, and let the others discern.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁰ But if a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first keep silent.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³¹ For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be exhorted.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³² The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³³ for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁴ Let the wives be quiet in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to be talking except in submission, as the law also says,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁵ if they desire to learn anything. “Let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a wife to be talking in the assembly.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁶ What!? Was it from you that the word of God went out? Or did it come to you alone?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
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.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁸ But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁹ Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking with other languages.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁰ Let all things be done decently and in order.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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Open Preschool on its own page

1 Corinthians 14 · Preschool

Build Each Other Up

Name Date

Color the friends at church. We help each other at church!

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“Let all things be done decently and in order.”

1 Corinthians 14:40 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: At church we take turns and use kind words. That helps everyone learn about God.

Open Grade 4 on its own page

1 Corinthians 14 · Grade 4

Building Up the Church

Name Date

Read and Think

Paul tells the church to pursue love and to desire spiritual gifts, especially prophecy. Prophecy builds up, encourages, and comforts others. Speaking in another language helps only the speaker unless someone interprets, because no one else understands.

Paul gives examples. A flute or harp must play clear notes for anyone to know the tune, and a trumpet must give a clear sound for soldiers to prepare. In the same way, words in church should be understandable. Paul would rather speak five clear words than ten thousand words no one understands.

Paul also thinks of visitors. If an unbeliever comes in and hears only confusion, he may think the believers are out of their minds. But if he hears clear truth, his heart may be touched, and he may worship God. So Paul gives guidelines: speakers take turns, someone interprets, and others weigh what is said. Everything should be done decently and in order.

Show What You Know

What three things does prophecy do for others?
Why did Paul mention a trumpet?
How many clear words would Paul rather speak?
What might happen if a visitor hears clear truth?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

Godspiritualanother

Paul tells the church to pursue love and to desire gifts, especially prophecy.
Speaking in language helps only the speaker unless someone interprets, because no one else understands.
But if he hears clear truth, his heart may be touched, and he may worship .

Think About It

Paul wanted worship to build up everyone, including visitors. How can you help a newcomer feel welcome at church?
Clear words help people grow. How can you make sure your words at home and church encourage others?

Memory Verse

“Follow after love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.”

1 Corinthians 14:1 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for the church where we help each other. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How can you welcome a newcomer?
Who needs a kind word from you this week?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

1 Corinthians 14 · Grade 5

Edification and Order

Name Date

Read and Think

Chapter 14 applies the way of love to worship. The Corinthians exalted speaking in other languages. Paul does not forbid the gift, and he even speaks in other languages more than they all. But he ranks prophecy higher in public worship because it is intelligible and so builds up the assembly. The guiding test is edification: does this help others grow?

Paul illustrates with musical instruments and a battle trumpet. Sound without clear meaning communicates nothing. The mind matters in worship; Paul will pray and sing with the spirit and with the understanding. He thinks of the outsider who comes in. Uninterpreted languages would seem like madness, but intelligible prophecy can convict him so that the secrets of his heart are revealed and he worships God, declaring that God is truly among them.

Paul closes with practical order. When they gather, each brings a psalm, a teaching, a revelation, or another gift, and all must serve to build each other up. Speakers in other languages should take turns, with interpretation. Prophets should speak in turn while others weigh what is said, because the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. God is not a God of confusion but of peace. Paul's final word summarizes the chapter: let all things be done decently and in order.

Show What You Know

Why does Paul rank prophecy higher in public worship?
What is the guiding test for worship in this chapter?
How might intelligible prophecy affect an outsider?
Why can prophets take turns and speak in order?

Crossword

Across

For if I pray in ____ language
If any man ____ in another language

Down

That the ____ may be built up
He who speaks in another ____ edifies himself
Therefore other ____ are for a sign

Think About It

Paul measures worship by whether it builds others up. How might that test change the way you take part in a worship service?
Paul says God is a God of peace, not confusion. What practices help a church gathering reflect God's peace?

Memory Verse

“Follow after love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.”

1 Corinthians 14:1 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for the church where we help each other. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How can you help others worship when you go to church?
How can a church reflect God's peace?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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1 Corinthians 14: Build Each Other Up

Read 1 Corinthians 14

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Build Each Other Up

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At Church

Trace the Words

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Build Up the Church

Trace the Words

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Build Each Other Up

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Words That Help

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Decently and in Order

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Build Each Other Up

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Building Up the Church

Read and Think

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Word Bank Fill-In

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Prayer

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Edification and Order

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

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Prayer

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