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id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/14.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/14.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/14.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_corinthians/14.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/14.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/1_corinthians/14.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/14.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For if I pray in an <i>unknown</i> tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_corinthians/14.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_corinthians/14.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/14.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_corinthians/14.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_corinthians/14.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_corinthians/14.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive [because it does not understand what my spirit is praying].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_corinthians/14.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_corinthians/14.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_corinthians/14.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_corinthians/14.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />For example, if I use an unknown language in my prayers, my spirit prays but my mind is useless. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_corinthians/14.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_corinthians/14.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my mind is not productive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_corinthians/14.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />For if I pray in this way, my spirit prays indeed, but my mind has no part in it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_corinthians/14.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />For if I pray in a foreign language, my spirit prays but my mind is not productive. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_corinthians/14.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_corinthians/14.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_corinthians/14.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For if I pray in an unknown language, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/1_corinthians/14.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is barren.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_corinthians/14.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_corinthians/14.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_corinthians/14.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />for if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit prays, and my understanding is unfruitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/1_corinthians/14.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_corinthians/14.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> for if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit doth pray, and my understanding is unfruitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_corinthians/14.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, and my mind is unfruitful.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_corinthians/14.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is without fruit. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_corinthians/14.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />So, if I pray in tongues, my spirit prays, but my mind is without fruit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_corinthians/14.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />[For] if I pray in a tongue, my spirit is at prayer but my mind is unproductive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_corinthians/14.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unproductive.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_corinthians/14.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my knowledge is fruitless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_corinthians/14.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />For if I should pray in languages, my spirit is praying, but my understanding is unfruitful.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/1_corinthians/14.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />For if I pray in an unknown tongue, the spirit which I have prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/1_corinthians/14.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />For if I pray with a tongue, my spirit is praying, but my mind is not fruitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/1_corinthians/14.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my mind produces no fruit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/1_corinthians/14.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />for if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit indeed prays, but my meaning is of no benefit to others.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/1_corinthians/14.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is barren.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/1_corinthians/14.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />For, if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/1_corinthians/14.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />For if I pray in an <i>unknown</i> tongue, my spirit <i>indeed</i> prayeth, but my meaning is fruitless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_corinthians/14-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g-wZWoK_LZU?start=2997" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/14.htm">Prophecy and Tongues</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">13</span>Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.">if</a> <a href="/greek/4336.htm" title="4336: proseuchōmai (V-PSM/P-1S) -- To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship.">I pray</a> <a href="/greek/1100.htm" title="1100: glōssē (N-DFS) -- The tongue; by implication, a language.">in a tongue,</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">my</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4151.htm" title="4151: pneuma (N-NNS) -- Wind, breath, spirit. ">spirit</a> <a href="/greek/4336.htm" title="4336: proseuchetai (V-PIM/P-3S) -- To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship.">prays,</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">but</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">my</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3563.htm" title="3563: nous (N-NMS) -- Probably from the base of ginosko; the intellect, i.e. Mind; by implication, meaning.">mind</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/175.htm" title="175: akarpos (Adj-NMS) -- Unfruitful, barren, profitless. Barren.">unfruitful.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">15</span>What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-26.htm">Romans 8:26</a></span><br />In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/6-18.htm">Ephesians 6:18</a></span><br />Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jude/1-20.htm">Jude 1:20</a></span><br />But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-4.htm">Acts 2:4</a></span><br />And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-10.htm">1 Corinthians 12:10</a></span><br />to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/13-1.htm">1 Corinthians 13:1</a></span><br />If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-2.htm">1 Corinthians 14:2</a></span><br />For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-15.htm">1 Corinthians 14:15-16</a></span><br />What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. / Otherwise, if you speak a blessing in spirit, how can someone who is uninstructed say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-18.htm">1 Corinthians 14:18-19</a></span><br />I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. / But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-28.htm">1 Corinthians 14:28</a></span><br />But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-7.htm">Matthew 6:7</a></span><br />And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-24.htm">John 4:24</a></span><br />God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/1-19.htm">Philippians 1:19</a></span><br />because I know that through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, my distress will turn out for my deliverance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/28-11.htm">Isaiah 28:11-12</a></span><br />Indeed, with mocking lips and foreign tongues, He will speak to this people / to whom He has said: “This is the place of rest, let the weary rest; this is the place of repose.” But they would not listen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Isaiah 29:13</a></span><br />Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.</p><p class="hdg">my spirit.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/14-2.htm">1 Corinthians 14:2,15,16,19</a></b></br> For he that speaketh in an <i>unknown</i> tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth <i>him</i>; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries… </p><p class="hdg">but.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/23-29.htm">Barren</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-13.htm">Language</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-4.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-3.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-4.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/romans/15-30.htm">Prayers</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-5.htm">Prayeth</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-5.htm">Prays</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-12.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-13.htm">Tongue</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-13.htm">Tongues</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-19.htm">Understanding</a> <a href="/john/15-6.htm">Unfruitful</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-13.htm">Unknown</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-4.htm">Use</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/galatians/4-27.htm">Barren</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-19.htm">Language</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-27.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-15.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-15.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/1-11.htm">Prayers</a> <a href="/numbers/11-2.htm">Prayeth</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-28.htm">Prays</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-15.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-18.htm">Tongue</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-18.htm">Tongues</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-15.htm">Understanding</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-11.htm">Unfruitful</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-19.htm">Unknown</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-18.htm">Use</a><div class="vheading2">1 Corinthians 14</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-1.htm">Prophecy is commended,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-2.htm">and preferred before speaking in tongues,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-6.htm">by a comparison drawn from musical instruments.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-12.htm">Both must be referred to edification,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-22.htm">as to their true and proper end.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-26.htm">The true use of each is taught,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-27.htm">and the abuse rebuked.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-34.htm">Women in the churches.</a></span><br></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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/14.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_corinthians/14.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For if I pray in a tongue</b><br>The practice of speaking in tongues, or glossolalia, was a spiritual gift present in the early church, as seen in <a href="/acts/2.htm">Acts 2</a> during Pentecost. This gift was often a sign of the Holy Spirit's presence and was used for edification when interpreted. In Corinth, the misuse of this gift led to confusion, prompting Paul to address its proper use. The cultural context of Corinth, a diverse and cosmopolitan city, may have contributed to the emphasis on spiritual gifts as a sign of spiritual status.<p><b>my spirit prays</b><br>Paul distinguishes between the spirit and the mind, indicating that praying in tongues is a spiritual activity that engages the inner being. This aligns with <a href="/romans/8-26.htm">Romans 8:26</a>, where the Spirit intercedes for believers with groanings too deep for words. The emphasis is on the personal edification and communion with God that occurs at a spiritual level, beyond human understanding.<p><b>but my mind is unfruitful</b><br>The term "unfruitful" suggests a lack of understanding or benefit to the intellect. Paul emphasizes the importance of edification not only for the individual but also for the church community. This reflects the broader biblical principle that spiritual gifts should build up the body of Christ, as seen in <a href="/ephesians/4-12.htm">Ephesians 4:12</a>. The call is for balance between spiritual experiences and intellectual engagement, ensuring that worship is both heartfelt and comprehensible.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/apostle_paul.htm">Apostle Paul</a></b><br>The author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth about the use of spiritual gifts, particularly speaking in tongues.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/c/church_in_corinth.htm">Church in Corinth</a></b><br>A diverse and spiritually gifted congregation facing issues of order and understanding in worship practices.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/speaking_in_tongues.htm">Speaking in Tongues</a></b><br>A spiritual gift involving speaking in a language unknown to the speaker, which was causing confusion in the Corinthian church.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/h/holy_spirit.htm">Holy Spirit</a></b><br>The third person of the Trinity, who empowers believers with spiritual gifts, including tongues.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/corinth.htm">Corinth</a></b><br>A major city in ancient Greece, known for its cultural diversity and moral challenges, which influenced the church's dynamics.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_spirit_in_prayer.htm">The Role of the Spirit in Prayer</a></b><br>The Holy Spirit aids in our prayers, but understanding and edification should accompany spiritual fervor.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/mind_and_spirit_in_worship.htm">Mind and Spirit in Worship</a></b><br>Worship should engage both the spirit and the mind, ensuring that spiritual experiences are beneficial to the individual and the congregation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/order_in_worship.htm">Order in Worship</a></b><br>Paul advocates for orderly worship practices that prioritize the edification of the church body over individual expressions of spirituality.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_purpose_of_spiritual_gifts.htm">The Purpose of Spiritual Gifts</a></b><br>Spiritual gifts, including tongues, are given for the common good and should be exercised in love and with the intent to build up the church.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/balancing_spiritual_experience_and_understanding.htm">Balancing Spiritual Experience and Understanding</a></b><br>Believers are encouraged to seek a balance between spiritual experiences and intellectual understanding to ensure fruitful worship and prayer.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_corinthians_14.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 14</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_the_natural_man.htm">Who is the natural man?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_glossolalia.htm">What is glossolalia?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_'praying_in_the_spirit'.htm">What does "praying in the Spirit" mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_are_tongues_for_unbelievers,_yet_used_by_believers.htm">Why does Paul claim tongues are a sign for unbelievers (1 Corinthians 14:22), yet many modern churches practice them mostly among believers? </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>(14) <span class= "bld">For if I pray in an unknown tongue.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">if I pray in a tongue.</span> <a href="/context/1_corinthians/14-14.htm" title="For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.">1Corinthians 14:14-19</a> are expressed in the first person (except <a href="/context/1_corinthians/14-16.htm" title="Else when you shall bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupies the room of the unlearned say Amen at your giving of thanks, seeing he understands not what you say?">1Corinthians 14:16-17</a>, which are a parenthesis), as enforcing the Apostle's own example. A man praying in a tongue needed the gift of interpretation. The emotions of his spirit, kindled by the Spirit of God, found utterance in a "tongue," the gift of the Spirit of God; but his intellectual faculty grasped no definite idea, and could not, therefore, formulate it into human language; therefore the prayer which is offered merely in a tongue, from the spirit and not from the understanding, is useless as regards others. The Apostle is here speaking of public worship (see <a href="/1_corinthians/14-16.htm" title="Else when you shall bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupies the room of the unlearned say Amen at your giving of thanks, seeing he understands not what you say?">1Corinthians 14:16</a>), and not of private devotion; and the word "fruitless" implies the result, or rather the absence of result, as regards others.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_corinthians/14.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 14.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">My understanding is unfruitful.</span> I am only aware that I <span class="accented">am</span> praying. I have no definite consciousness as to what I say. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_corinthians/14-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="grk">γὰρ</span> <span class="translit">(gar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> </span><span class="str2">For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">if</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐὰν</span> <span class="translit">(ean)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1437.htm">Strong's 1437: </a> </span><span class="str2">If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I pray</span><br /><span class="grk">προσεύχωμαι</span> <span class="translit">(proseuchōmai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Subjunctive Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4336.htm">Strong's 4336: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in a tongue,</span><br /><span class="grk">γλώσσῃ</span> <span class="translit">(glōssē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1100.htm">Strong's 1100: </a> </span><span class="str2">The tongue; by implication, a language.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my</span><br /><span class="grk">μου</span> <span class="translit">(mou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">spirit</span><br /><span class="grk">πνεῦμά</span> <span class="translit">(pneuma)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4151.htm">Strong's 4151: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wind, breath, spirit. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">prays,</span><br /><span class="grk">προσεύχεται</span> <span class="translit">(proseuchetai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4336.htm">Strong's 4336: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my</span><br /><span class="grk">μου</span> <span class="translit">(mou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">mind</span><br /><span class="grk">νοῦς</span> <span class="translit">(nous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3563.htm">Strong's 3563: </a> </span><span class="str2">Probably from the base of ginosko; the intellect, i.e. Mind; by implication, meaning.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐστιν</span> <span class="translit">(estin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">unfruitful.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἄκαρπός</span> <span class="translit">(akarpos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_175.htm">Strong's 175: </a> </span><span class="str2">Unfruitful, barren, profitless. Barren.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/14-14.htm">1 Corinthians 14:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/14-14.htm">1 Corinthians 14:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_corinthians/14-14.htm">1 Corinthians 14:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/14-14.htm">1 Corinthians 14:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/14-14.htm">1 Corinthians 14:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_corinthians/14-14.htm">1 Corinthians 14:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_corinthians/14-14.htm">1 Corinthians 14:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_corinthians/14-14.htm">1 Corinthians 14:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_corinthians/14-14.htm">1 Corinthians 14:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_corinthians/14-14.htm">1 Corinthians 14:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_corinthians/14-14.htm">NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 14:14 For if I pray in another language (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Corinthians 14:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 14:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Corinthians 14:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 14:15" /></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>