Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

1 Corinthians 14:37–39

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
Share
Email linkOpen a new message in your email app
Read chapter
More
Report an issueTell us about a text or study problem

PASSAGE SELECTION

Build from either side

3 selected · 7 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

15 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 37

  1. 1 John 4:6Rank 1 from verse 37
    Open

    6We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

  2. 2 Corinthians 10:7Rank 2 from verse 37
    Open

    7Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s.

  3. 2 Peter 3:2Rank 3 from verse 37
    Open

    2That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

  4. Jude 1:17Rank 4 from verse 37
    Open

    17But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

  5. 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8Rank 5 from verse 37
    Open

    1FURTHERMORE then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

    2For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

    3For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

    4That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

    5Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

    6That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

    7For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

    8He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

From verse 38

  1. 2 Timothy 4:3–4Rank 1 from verse 38
    Open

    3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

    4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

  2. 1 Timothy 6:3–5Rank 2 from verse 38
    Open

    3If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

    4He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

    5Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

  3. Matthew 7:6Rank 3 from verse 38
    Open

    6¶ Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

  4. Revelation 22:11–12Rank 4 from verse 38
    Open

    11He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

    12And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

  5. Hosea 4:17Rank 5 from verse 38
    Open

    17Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.

From verse 39

  1. 1 Corinthians 12:31Rank 1 from verse 39
    Open

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

  2. 1 Corinthians 14:1Rank 2 from verse 39
    Open

    1FOLLOW after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

  3. 1 Thessalonians 5:20Rank 3 from verse 39
    Open

    20Despise not prophesyings.

  4. 1 Corinthians 14:24–25Rank 4 from verse 39
    Open

    24But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

    25And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

  5. 1 Corinthians 14:3Rank 5 from verse 39
    Open

    3But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

1 Corinthians 14:37

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

think

↗

1. To form or hold a thought. 2. To judge or suppose. 3. To intend. 4. To consider or remember. 5. To imagine or esteem.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

prophet

↗

A person who declares or bears a message as divinely inspired, including one who foretells, whether truly or falsely.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604 · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

spiritual

↗

1. Pertaining to spirit or to the Holy Ghost. 2. Nonmaterial or not carnal. 3. Governed by the Spirit.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

let

↗

Sense 1: To allow or permit; in older KJV use, also to hinder or restrain. Sense 2: To lower or send down.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

acknowledge

↗

To own, avow, admit, or recognize as true; to confess; to regard or receive with approval or respect; to recognize a person, relationship, or benefit.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

write

↗

Sense 1: To form letters or words, inscribe, record, compose, copy, or communicate in writing. Sense 2: By figure, to impress and establish something upon the heart or mind.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

you

↗

The second-person plural pronoun referring to those being addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

commandments

↗

Commands, orders, or prescribed requirements issued by one who commands.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Lord

↗

1. A title of God or Jesus Christ acknowledging authority and rule. 2. A respectful title or address for one in authority.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

1 Corinthians 14:38

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

ignorant

↗

Lacking knowledge, instruction, information, or acquaintance with a matter.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

let

↗

Sense 1: To allow or permit; in older KJV use, also to hinder or restrain. Sense 2: To lower or send down.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

1 Corinthians 14:39

COMBINED MEANING

wherefore

↗

1. For that reason, or as a conclusion from what precedes; therefore or consequently. 2. For what reason or purpose; why.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

brethren

↗

1. Persons of the same people, tribe, community, or shared service who are regarded or addressed as brothers. 2. Persons regarded as brothers by reason of faith or another spiritual relation. 3. Male siblings or other male relatives.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

covet

↗

Sense 1: To desire or long for earnestly. Sense 2: To desire unlawfully or greedily what belongs to another.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

prophesy

↗

To declare or convey a message as divinely inspired, including foretelling, whether truly or falsely.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

speak

↗

Sense 1: To utter words or articulate sounds, or to use a language. Sense 2: To address or converse with someone. Sense 3: To state, declare, make mention of, or otherwise make a matter known.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

tongues

↗

Tongue organs; languages or speech; peoples distinguished by language; or tongue-shaped appearances.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Suggested context · 1 Corinthians 14:34–40

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

14:34Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

14:35And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

14:36What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

14:37If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

Selected passage

14:38But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

Selected passage

14:39Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

Selected passage

14:40Let all things be done decently and in order.

LOCAL PASTOR DIRECTORY

Find a Pastor Near You

Enter a U.S. ZIP code to find nearby pastors committed to holding fast the faithful word.

Your ZIP is processed in this browser from local data. It is not sent to a ZIP lookup service or to a church. ZIP coordinates from GeoNames, licensed under CC BY 4.0.