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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Corinthians 14:20 Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/14-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/46_1Co_14_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Corinthians 14:20 - Prophecy and Tongues" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Brothers, stop thinking like children. 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In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. <a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/14.htm">New Living Translation</a> Dear brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind. <a href="/esv/1_corinthians/14.htm">English Standard Version</a> Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. <a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/14.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. <a href="/blb/1_corinthians/14.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Brothers, do not be children in the minds. Yet in the evil, be little children; but in the thinking, be full grown. <a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/14.htm">King James Bible</a> Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. <a href="/nkjv/1_corinthians/14.htm">New King James Version</a> Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature. <a href="/nasb_/1_corinthians/14.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/14.htm">NASB 1995</a> Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. <a href="/nasb77/1_corinthians/14.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be babes, but in your thinking be mature. <a href="/lsb/1_corinthians/14.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Brothers, do not be children in your thinking; rather in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. <a href="/amp/1_corinthians/14.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Brothers and sisters, do not be children [immature, childlike] in your thinking; be infants in [matters of] evil [completely innocent and inexperienced], but in your minds be mature [adults]. <a href="/csb/1_corinthians/14.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your thinking, but be infants in regard to evil and adult in your thinking. <a href="/hcsb/1_corinthians/14.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Brothers, don&#8217t be childish in your thinking, but be infants in regard to evil and adult in your thinking. <a href="/asv/1_corinthians/14.htm">American Standard Version</a> Brethren, be not children in mind: yet in malice be ye babes, but in mind be men. <a href="/cev/1_corinthians/14.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> My friends, stop thinking like children. Think like mature people and be as innocent as tiny babies. <a href="/erv/1_corinthians/14.htm">English Revised Version</a> Brethren, be not children in mind: howbeit in malice be ye babes, but in mind be men. <a href="/gwt/1_corinthians/14.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Brothers and sisters, don't think like children. When it comes to evil, be like babies, but think like mature people. <a href="/gnt/1_corinthians/14.htm">Good News Translation</a> Do not be like children in your thinking, my friends; be children so far as evil is concerned, but be grown up in your thinking. <a href="/isv/1_corinthians/14.htm">International Standard Version</a> Brothers, stop being childish in your thinking. Be like infants with respect to evil, but think like adults. <a href="/msb/1_corinthians/14.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. <a href="/net/1_corinthians/14.htm">NET Bible</a> Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking. Instead, be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. <a href="/nheb/1_corinthians/14.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Brothers, do not be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature. <a href="/wbt/1_corinthians/14.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Brethren, be not children in understanding: yet in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/14.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Brethren, do not prove yourselves to be children in your minds. As regards evil, indeed, be utter babes, but as regards your minds prove yourselves to be men of ripe years. <a href="/web/1_corinthians/14.htm">World English Bible</a> Brothers, don’t be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_corinthians/14.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Brothers, do not become children in the understanding, but in the evil be children, and in the understanding become perfect; <a href="/blb/1_corinthians/14.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Brothers, do not be children in the minds. Yet in the evil, be little children; but in the thinking, be full grown. <a href="/ylt/1_corinthians/14.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Brethren, become not children in the understanding, but in the evil be ye babes, and in the understanding become ye perfect; <a href="/slt/1_corinthians/14.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Brethren, be not children in reflection: but in wickedness act like children, and in reflection be ye perfected.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_corinthians/14.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Brethren, do not become children in sense: but in malice be children, and in sense be perfect. <a href="/cpdv/1_corinthians/14.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Brothers, do not choose to have the minds of children. Instead, be free of malice like infants, but be mature in your minds. <a href="/nabre/1_corinthians/14.htm">New American Bible</a> Brothers, stop being childish in your thinking. In respect to evil be like infants, but in your thinking be mature. <a href="/nrsvce/1_corinthians/14.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking; rather, be infants in evil, but in thinking be adults.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_corinthians/14.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> My brethren, be not like infants in your intelligence, only to evil things be like children, but in your understanding be mature. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_corinthians/14.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> My brethren, do not be children in your intellects, but be infants in evil and be fully mature in your intellects.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/1_corinthians/14.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Brethren, be not children in understanding: yet, in malice, be childlike; but, in understanding, be full-grown men. <a href="/godbey/1_corinthians/14.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Brethren, be not children in intellect: but be infants in evil, but be perfect in intellect. <a href="/haweis/1_corinthians/14.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Brethren, be not children in your minds: though in naughtiness be ye children, but in your minds be men complete. <a href="/mace/1_corinthians/14.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Brethren, be not childish in understanding: be as innocent as babes, but use your understanding like men. <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/14.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Brethren, do not prove yourselves to be children in your minds. As regards evil, indeed, be utter babes, but as regards your minds prove yourselves to be men of ripe years. <a href="/worrell/1_corinthians/14.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Brethren, do not be children in mind; yet in evil be babes, but in mind be full-grown. <a href="/worsley/1_corinthians/14.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> My brethren, be not children in sense: but in malice be infants, and in your judgements shew yourselves to be men. <a href="/parallel/1_corinthians/14-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g-wZWoK_LZU?start=3051" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/14.htm">Prophecy and Tongues</a> …19But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. 20<a href="/greek/80.htm" title="80: Adelphoi (N-VMP) -- A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.">Brothers,</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.">stop</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tais (Art-DFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5424.htm" title="5424: phresin (N-DFP) -- Probably from an obsolete phrao; the midrif, i.e. the feelings (also in the plural) the mind or cognitive faculties).">thinking</a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: ginesthe (V-PMM/P-2P) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude."></a> <a href="/greek/3813.htm" title="3813: paidia (N-NNP) -- Neuter diminutive of pais; a childling, i.e., an infant, or a half-grown boy or girl; figuratively, an immature Christian.">like children.</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: alla (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">In regard to</a> <a href="/greek/2549.htm" title="2549: kakia (N-DFS) -- From kakos; badness, i.e. depravity, or malignity, or trouble.">evil</a> <a href="/greek/3515.htm" title="3515: nēpiazete (V-PMA-2P) -- To be childlike, childish, infantile. From nepios; to act as a babe, i.e. innocently.">be infants,</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">but</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tais (Art-DFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">in your</a> <a href="/greek/5424.htm" title="5424: phresin (N-DFP) -- Probably from an obsolete phrao; the midrif, i.e. the feelings (also in the plural) the mind or cognitive faculties).">thinking</a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: ginesthe (V-PMM/P-2P) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.">be</a> <a href="/greek/5046.htm" title="5046: teleioi (Adj-NMP) -- From telos; complete; neuter completeness.">mature.</a> 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.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/ephesians/4-14.htm">Ephesians 4:14</a> Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming. <a href="/hebrews/5-12.htm">Hebrews 5:12-14</a> Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food! / For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. / But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil. <a href="/matthew/18-3.htm">Matthew 18:3</a> “Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. <a href="/romans/16-19.htm">Romans 16:19</a> Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil. <a href="/1_peter/2-2.htm">1 Peter 2:2</a> Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, <a href="/philippians/3-15.htm">Philippians 3:15</a> All of us who are mature should embrace this point of view. And if you think differently about some issue, God will reveal this to you as well. <a href="/1_corinthians/13-11.htm">1 Corinthians 13:11</a> When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I set aside childish ways. <a href="/galatians/4-3.htm">Galatians 4:3</a> So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world. <a href="/colossians/1-28.htm">Colossians 1:28</a> We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. <a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a> Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. <a href="/isaiah/28-9.htm">Isaiah 28:9-10</a> Whom is He trying to teach? To whom is He explaining His message? To infants just weaned from milk? To babies removed from the breast? / For they hear: “Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line; a little here, a little there.” <a href="/jeremiah/4-22.htm">Jeremiah 4:22</a> “For My people are fools; they have not known Me. They are foolish children, without understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but they know not how to do good.” <a href="/psalms/131-2.htm">Psalm 131:2</a> Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. <a href="/proverbs/1-4.htm">Proverbs 1:4</a> To impart prudence to the simple and knowledge and discretion to the young, <a href="/proverbs/8-5.htm">Proverbs 8:5</a> O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Brothers, be not children in understanding: however, in malice be you children, but in understanding be men.not.<a href="/1_corinthians/3-1.htm">1 Corinthians 3:1,2</a> And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ… <a href="/1_corinthians/13-11.htm">1 Corinthians 13:11</a> When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.<a href="/psalms/119-99.htm">Psalm 119:99</a> I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.malice.<a href="/psalms/131-1.htm">Psalm 131:1,2</a> A Song of degrees of David. LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me… <a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">Matthew 11:25</a> At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.<a href="/matthew/18-3.htm">Matthew 18:3</a> And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.but.<a href="/psalms/119-99.htm">Psalm 119:99</a> I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.men.<a href="/1_corinthians/2-6.htm">1 Corinthians 2:6</a> Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:<a href="/philippians/3-15.htm">Philippians 3:15</a> Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hebrews/5-14.htm">Adults</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-1.htm">Babes</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-1.htm">Babies</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-14.htm">Children</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-6.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-7.htm">Full</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-29.htm">Grown</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-7.htm">Growth</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-19.htm">Howbeit</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-17.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-1.htm">Infants</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/5-6.htm">Little</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/5-8.htm">Malice</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-6.htm">Mature</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-12.htm">Minds</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-10.htm">Perfect</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-28.htm">Prove</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-30.htm">Regard</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-7.htm">Regards</a> <a href="/john/4-35.htm">Ripe</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-5.htm">Stop</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-11.htm">Thinking</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/5-8.htm">Thoughts</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-19.htm">Understanding</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-9.htm">Utter</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-12.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/hebrews/5-14.htm">Adults</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-14.htm">Babes</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-2.htm">Babies</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/3-7.htm">Children</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-33.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/1-3.htm">Full</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-13.htm">Grown</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/9-10.htm">Growth</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-46.htm">Howbeit</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-25.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-14.htm">Infants</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/8-15.htm">Little</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-31.htm">Malice</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-13.htm">Mature</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-2.htm">Minds</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/7-1.htm">Perfect</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-10.htm">Prove</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/2-9.htm">Regard</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/10-7.htm">Regards</a> <a href="/ephesians/1-10.htm">Ripe</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-30.htm">Stop</a> <a href="/philippians/1-16.htm">Thinking</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/2-11.htm">Thoughts</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/6-6.htm">Understanding</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/1-20.htm">Utter</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-33.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">1 Corinthians 14</div>1. <a href="/1_corinthians/14-1.htm">Prophecy is commended,</a> 2. <a href="/1_corinthians/14-2.htm">and preferred before speaking in tongues,</a> 6. <a href="/1_corinthians/14-6.htm">by a comparison drawn from musical instruments.</a> 12. <a href="/1_corinthians/14-12.htm">Both must be referred to edification,</a> 22. <a href="/1_corinthians/14-22.htm">as to their true and proper end.</a> 26. <a href="/1_corinthians/14-26.htm">The true use of each is taught,</a> 27. <a href="/1_corinthians/14-27.htm">and the abuse rebuked.</a> 34. <a href="/1_corinthians/14-34.htm">Women in the churches.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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Paul addresses the Corinthian believers as "brothers," indicating a familial relationship within the body of Christ. The call to stop thinking like children suggests a need for spiritual maturity. In the cultural context of Corinth, a city known for its intellectual pursuits and philosophical debates, the believers were encouraged to move beyond superficial understanding. This echoes the call for maturity found in <a href="/hebrews/5-12.htm">Hebrews 5:12-14</a>, where believers are urged to progress from milk to solid food in their spiritual diet. The metaphor of children implies a lack of discernment and understanding, which Paul seeks to correct.In regard to evil be infants, Here, Paul uses the metaphor of infants to describe how believers should approach evil. Infants are innocent and unacquainted with malice, symbolizing purity and a lack of experience with sin. This aligns with Jesus' teaching in <a href="/matthew/18-3.htm">Matthew 18:3</a>, where He emphasizes the importance of childlike humility and innocence. The cultural backdrop of Corinth, a city rife with immorality, underscores the need for believers to remain untainted by the surrounding evil. The call to be "infants" in evil suggests a deliberate choice to avoid engaging with or understanding sinful practices.but in your thinking be mature. Paul contrasts the innocence towards evil with a call for maturity in thinking. This maturity involves a deep understanding of spiritual truths and the ability to discern right from wrong, as seen in <a href="/ephesians/4-13.htm">Ephesians 4:13-14</a>, where believers are encouraged to grow into the fullness of Christ. The Greek word for "mature" (teleios) implies completeness and perfection, suggesting a goal of spiritual wholeness. In the context of Corinth, where intellectual prowess was highly valued, Paul redirects the focus from worldly wisdom to spiritual maturity. This maturity is characterized by a Christ-like mindset, as seen in <a href="/philippians/2-5.htm">Philippians 2:5</a>, where believers are urged to have the mind of Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth with guidance on spiritual maturity and conduct. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_corinthian_church.htm">The Corinthian Church</a> A diverse and spiritually gifted congregation in the city of Corinth, known for its struggles with immorality and division. 3. <a href="/topical/c/corinth.htm">Corinth</a> A major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth, commerce, and moral challenges, providing a backdrop for the issues addressed in the letter.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_maturity.htm">Spiritual Maturity</a> Believers are called to grow in their understanding and discernment, moving beyond childish thinking to a mature grasp of spiritual truths. <a href="/topical/i/innocence_toward_evil.htm">Innocence Toward Evil</a> While maturing in thought, Christians should maintain a pure and innocent stance toward evil, avoiding its influence and corruption. <a href="/topical/b/balanced_growth.htm">Balanced Growth</a> Spiritual growth involves both deepening knowledge and maintaining a heart that is pure and untainted by sin. <a href="/topical/c/community_growth.htm">Community Growth</a> The call to maturity is not just individual but communal, as the church collectively seeks to reflect Christ's wisdom and purity. <a href="/topical/p/practical_discernment.htm">Practical Discernment</a> Mature thinking involves practical discernment in daily life, making choices that align with God's will and reflect His character.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_corinthians_14.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 14</a> <a href="/q/are_greek_gods_mentioned_in_the_bible.htm">What is the concept of an 'inner child'?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_origin_of_angels.htm">What causes infant mortality?</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_'inner_child'_concept.htm">What is the concept of an "inner child"?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_childlike_faith.htm">What defines having faith like a child?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_corinthians/14.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) Howbeit in malice be ye children.--Better, however in evil be ye infants. There are three grades spoken of here in the original--infants, children, full-grown men. Their conduct in exalting these "tongues," against which he has been warning them, is a proof that they are yet children in knowledge. They ought to be full-grown; the only thing in which they ought to be children is evil, and in that they cannot be too young, too inexperienced; they should be merely "infants." (A similar thought occurs in <a href="/1_corinthians/2-6.htm" title="However, we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nothing:">1Corinthians 2:6</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/3-1.htm" title="And I, brothers, could not speak to you as to spiritual, but as to carnal, even as to babes in Christ.">1Corinthians 3:1</a>; <a href="/context/1_corinthians/13-10.htm" title="But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.">1Corinthians 13:10-11</a>.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_corinthians/14.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 20. - Be not children in understanding; rather, in your minds. Your tendency to overvalue glossolaly shows you to be somewhat childish. It is remarkable that this is the only verse of the New Testament in which the common Greek word "mind" (phren) occurs. Howbeit in malice be ye children; better, but in wickedness be babes. The Authorized Version misses the climax involved in the change of the word. The Christian should always be childlike (<a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">Matthew 11:25</a>; <a href="/matthew/19-4.htm">Matthew 19:4</a>), but never childish (<a href="/1_corinthians/13-11.htm">1 Corinthians 13:11</a>; <a href="/ephesians/4-14.htm">Ephesians 4:14</a>). Be men; rather, become or prove yourselves full-grown; literally, perfect. <a href="/commentaries/1_corinthians/14-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Brothers, Ἀδελφοί (Adelphoi) Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_80.htm">Strong's 80: </a> A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote. stop μὴ (mē) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3361.htm">Strong's 3361: </a> Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. thinking φρεσίν (phresin) Noun - Dative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5424.htm">Strong's 5424: </a> Probably from an obsolete phrao; the midrif, i.e. the feelings (also in the plural) the mind or cognitive faculties). like children. παιδία (paidia) Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3813.htm">Strong's 3813: </a> Neuter diminutive of pais; a childling, i.e., an infant, or a half-grown boy or girl; figuratively, an immature Christian. In [regard to] τῇ (tē) Article - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. evil κακίᾳ (kakia) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2549.htm">Strong's 2549: </a> From kakos; badness, i.e. depravity, or malignity, or trouble. be infants, νηπιάζετε (nēpiazete) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3515.htm">Strong's 3515: </a> To be childlike, childish, infantile. From nepios; to act as a babe, i.e. innocently. but δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. in [your] ταῖς (tais) Article - Dative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. thinking φρεσὶν (phresin) Noun - Dative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5424.htm">Strong's 5424: </a> Probably from an obsolete phrao; the midrif, i.e. the feelings (also in the plural) the mind or cognitive faculties). be γίνεσθε (ginesthe) Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1096.htm">Strong's 1096: </a> A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude. mature. τέλειοι (teleioi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5046.htm">Strong's 5046: </a> From telos; complete; neuter completeness. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/14-20.htm">1 Corinthians 14:20 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/14-20.htm">1 Corinthians 14:20 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_corinthians/14-20.htm">1 Corinthians 14:20 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/14-20.htm">1 Corinthians 14:20 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/14-20.htm">1 Corinthians 14:20 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_corinthians/14-20.htm">1 Corinthians 14:20 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_corinthians/14-20.htm">1 Corinthians 14:20 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_corinthians/14-20.htm">1 Corinthians 14:20 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_corinthians/14-20.htm">1 Corinthians 14:20 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_corinthians/14-20.htm">1 Corinthians 14:20 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-20.htm">NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 14:20 Brothers don't be children in thoughts yet (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Corinthians 14:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 14:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Corinthians 14:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 14:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>