1 Corinthians 14:19

BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

“But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.”

What this verse means

Read 1 Corinthians 14:19 in the flow of 1 Corinthians14 for its full sense, then follow the cross-references below to the passages that echo it. Open 1 Corinthians14 to see the surrounding context.

Compare translations
BSBPD

“But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.”

Berean Standard Bible · Public Domain (CC0)
KJVPD

“Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.”

King James Version · Public Domain
ASVPD

“howbeit in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.”

American Standard Version · Public Domain
YLTPD

“but in an assembly I wish to speak five words through my understanding, that others also I may instruct, rather than myriads of words in an <FI>unknown<Fi> tongue.”

Young's Literal Translation · Public Domain
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Cross references

Other passages that echo 1 Corinthians 14:19 — 2 related verses from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:4The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:21It 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.”

Cross-reference data: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (public domain) via OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0).

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