1 Corinthians 14:39
New International Version
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

New Living Translation
So, my dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking in tongues.

English Standard Version
So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

Berean Standard Bible
So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

Berean Literal Bible
So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.

King James Bible
Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

New King James Version
Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.

New American Standard Bible
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

NASB 1995
Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.

NASB 1977
Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.

Amplified Bible
Therefore, believers, desire earnestly to prophesy [to foretell the future, to speak a new message from God to the people], and do not forbid speaking in unknown tongues.

Christian Standard Bible
So then, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in other languages.

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

Contemporary English Version
My friends, be eager to prophesy and don't stop anyone from speaking languages that others don't know.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So, brothers and sisters, desire to speak what God has revealed, and don't keep anyone from speaking in other languages.

Good News Translation
So then, my friends, set your heart on proclaiming God's message, but do not forbid the speaking in strange tongues.

International Standard Version
Therefore, my brothers, desire the ability to prophesy, and do not prevent others from speaking in foreign languages.

Majority Standard Bible
So, brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

NET Bible
So then, brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid anyone from speaking in tongues.

New Heart English Bible
Therefore, my brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

Webster's Bible Translation
Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak in languages.

Weymouth New Testament
The conclusion, my brethren, is this. Be earnestly ambitious to prophesy, and do not check speaking with tongues;

World English Bible
Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking with other languages.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
so that, brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues;

Berean Literal Bible
So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.

Young's Literal Translation
so that, brethren, earnestly desire to prophesy, and to speak with tongues do not forbid;

Smith's Literal Translation
Therefore, brethren, be zealous to prophesy, and hinder not to speak in tongues.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Wherefore, brethren, be zealous to prophesy; and forbid not to speak with tongues.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so, brothers, be zealous to prophesy, and do not prohibit speaking in tongues.

New American Bible
So, [my] brothers, strive eagerly to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues,

New Revised Standard Version
So, my friends, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not prohibit speaking in unknown tongues.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Be zealous therefore, my brethren, to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in languages.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Wherefore, brethren, earnestly desire to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

Godbey New Testament
So, my brethren, be zealous to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues;

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

Mace New Testament
wherefore, brethren, zealously exercise the gift of prophecy, and don't prohibit those that speak in an unknown language.

Weymouth New Testament
The conclusion, my brethren, is this. Be earnestly ambitious to prophesy, and do not check speaking with tongues;

Worrell New Testament
So then, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

Worsley New Testament
Wherefore, my brethren, be most desirous to prophesy, and yet forbid not to speak with tongues:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Orderly Worship
38But if anyone ignores this, he himself will be ignored. 39So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.…

Cross References
Acts 2:17-18
‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. / Even on My menservants and maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-20
Do not extinguish the Spirit. / Do not treat prophecies with contempt,

Joel 2:28-29
And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. / Even on My menservants and maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

Numbers 11:29
But Moses replied, “Are you jealous on my account? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would place His Spirit on them!”

1 Corinthians 12:31
But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.

1 Corinthians 14:1
Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.

1 Corinthians 14:5
I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified.

1 Corinthians 14:12
It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.

1 Corinthians 14:24-25
But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all, / and the secrets of his heart will be made known. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!”

1 Corinthians 14:31
For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.

1 Corinthians 14:37
If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command.

1 Corinthians 14:40
But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.

1 Peter 4:10-11
As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another. / If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Romans 12:6
We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith;

Ephesians 4:11-12
And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, / to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,


Treasury of Scripture

Why, brothers, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

covet.

1 Corinthians 14:1,3,5,24,25
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy…

1 Corinthians 12:31
But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

1 Thessalonians 5:20
Despise not prophesyings.

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Ambitious Check Chief Conclusion Covet Desire Eager Earnestly Forbid Languages Prophesy Prophets Speak Speaking Stopped Tongues Using Wherefore
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Ambitious Check Chief Conclusion Covet Desire Eager Earnestly Forbid Languages Prophesy Prophets Speak Speaking Stopped Tongues Using Wherefore
1 Corinthians 14
1. Prophecy is commended,
2. and preferred before speaking in tongues,
6. by a comparison drawn from musical instruments.
12. Both must be referred to edification,
22. as to their true and proper end.
26. The true use of each is taught,
27. and the abuse rebuked.
34. Women in the churches.














So, my brothers
The phrase "So, my brothers" serves as a transitional and relational address, indicating a conclusion or summary of the preceding discussion. The Greek word for "brothers" is "adelphoi," which can refer to both male and female members of the Christian community, emphasizing the familial bond among believers. This familial language underscores the unity and love that should characterize the church, reflecting the early Christian understanding of the church as a family of faith.

be eager to prophesy
The Greek word for "be eager" is "zēloō," which conveys a sense of earnest desire or zeal. This term suggests an active pursuit and prioritization of prophecy within the church. Prophecy, in the New Testament context, involves speaking forth God's message for the edification, encouragement, and consolation of the church (1 Corinthians 14:3). The emphasis on prophecy highlights its role in building up the church, providing guidance, and revealing God's will. Historically, prophecy was a vital aspect of early Christian worship, serving as a means for God to communicate directly with His people.

and do not forbid
The phrase "do not forbid" is a direct command, indicating that the practice being addressed should not be prohibited. The Greek word "kōluō" means to hinder or prevent. This instruction reflects the apostle Paul's desire for a balanced approach to spiritual gifts, where the exercise of gifts is encouraged but also regulated to maintain order and edification within the church. The historical context of the Corinthian church, with its diverse and sometimes chaotic expressions of spiritual gifts, necessitated such guidance.

speaking in tongues
The term "speaking in tongues" refers to the spiritual gift of glossolalia, where individuals speak in languages unknown to them, as enabled by the Holy Spirit. The Greek word "glōssais" means "tongues" or "languages." In the early church, this gift served as a sign for unbelievers and a means of personal edification when accompanied by interpretation (1 Corinthians 14:22-28). The instruction not to forbid this practice acknowledges its legitimacy and value within the church, while also implying the need for its proper use in a way that contributes to the common good.

(39) Wherefore, brethren.--The practical summing up of the whole matter. Seek earnestly to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. The phraseology intimates the relative importance of the two gifts in the estimation of the Apostle, which was inverted by those to whom he wrote at Corinth. This ought you to do, but not leave the other undone.

Verse 39. - Wherefore. The final conclusion. Covet... forbid not. The power to preach is to be desired; all that can be said of glossolaly is that it is not to be absolutely forbidden so long as the conditions which St. Paul has laid down for its regulation are observed. But glossolaly is hardly possible under conditions of order, decorum, and self suppression, and we are not surprised that we hear no more of it in the Church, but only in the wild excitement of fanatical sects. The suppression, however, of the startling manifestation by no means necessarily involves any enfeeblement of the inspiring conviction from which it sprang. The brawling torrent which "foams its madness off" is lost in the calm and majestic flow of the deep river.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
So,
Ὥστε (Hōste)
Conjunction
Strong's 5620: So that, therefore, so then, so as to. From hos and te; so too, i.e. Thus therefore.

my
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

brothers,
ἀδελφοί (adelphoi)
Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural
Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.

be eager
ζηλοῦτε (zēloute)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2206: From zelos; to have warmth of feeling for or against.

to prophesy
προφητεύειν (prophēteuein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 4395: From prophetes; to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

{do} not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

forbid
κωλύετε (kōlyete)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2967: To prevent, debar, hinder; with infin: from doing so and so. From the base of kolazo; to estop, i.e. Prevent.

speaking
λαλεῖν (lalein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 2980: A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.

in tongues.
γλώσσαις (glōssais)
Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1100: The tongue; by implication, a language.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 14:39 Therefore brothers desire earnestly to prophesy (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 14:38
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