New International Version For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. New Living Translation For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying. English Standard Version For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. Berean Standard Bible For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. Berean Literal Bible For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. King James Bible For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. New King James Version For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. New American Standard Bible For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive. NASB 1995 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. NASB 1977 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. Legacy Standard Bible For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. Amplified Bible 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]. Berean Annotated Bible For if I pray in a tongue (language), my spirit {pneuma} prays, but my mind is unfruitful. Christian Standard Bible For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. Holman Christian Standard Bible For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. American Standard Version For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. Contemporary English Version For example, if I use an unknown language in my prayers, my spirit prays but my mind is useless. English Revised Version For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. GOD'S WORD® Translation If I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my mind is not productive. Good News Translation For if I pray in this way, my spirit prays indeed, but my mind has no part in it. International Standard Version For if I pray in a foreign language, my spirit prays but my mind is not productive. NET Bible If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive. New Heart English Bible For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. Webster's Bible Translation For if I pray in an unknown language, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. Weymouth New Testament For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is barren. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleFor if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. World English Bible For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionfor if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit prays, and my understanding is unfruitful. Berean Literal Bible For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. Young's Literal Translation for if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit doth pray, and my understanding is unfruitful. Smith's Literal Translation For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, and my mind is unfruitful. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is without fruit. Catholic Public Domain Version So, if I pray in tongues, my spirit prays, but my mind is without fruit. New American Bible [For] if I pray in a tongue, my spirit is at prayer but my mind is unproductive. New Revised Standard Version For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unproductive. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my knowledge is fruitless. Aramaic Bible in Plain English For if I should pray in languages, my spirit is praying, but my understanding is unfruitful. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentFor if I pray in an unknown tongue, the spirit which I have prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. Godbey New Testament For if I pray with a tongue, my spirit is praying, but my mind is not fruitful. Haweis New Testament For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my mind produces no fruit. Mace New Testament for if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit indeed prays, but my meaning is of no benefit to others. Weymouth New Testament For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is barren. Worrell New Testament For, if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. Worsley New Testament For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit indeed prayeth, but my meaning is fruitless. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Prophecy and Tongues…13Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. 14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15What 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.… Cross References For if I pray in a tongue, Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 10:46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God. Then Peter said, Mark 16:17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; my spirit prays, Ephesians 6:18 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. Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, Romans 8:26 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. but my mind is unfruitful. Ephesians 4:17-18 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. / They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. 2 Peter 1:8 For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:10 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. 1 Corinthians 13:1 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. 1 Corinthians 14:2 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. 1 Corinthians 14:15-16 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? 1 Corinthians 14:18-19 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. 1 Corinthians 14:28 But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God. Matthew 6:7 And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard. Treasury of Scripture For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. my spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:2,15,16,19 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries… but. Jump to Previous Barren Language Makes Mind Prayer Prayers Prayeth Prays Spirit Tongue Tongues Understanding Unfruitful Unknown UseJump to Next Barren Language Makes Mind Prayer Prayers Prayeth Prays Spirit Tongue Tongues Understanding Unfruitful Unknown Use1 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. For if I pray in a tongue, Paul addresses prayer offered in a language not understood by the speaker or congregation. Such prayer may express genuine dependence on God, but without interpretation it does not communicate its content to others. Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit… my spirit prays, The believer’s inner person is engaged in prayer before God, responding to the Spirit’s work rather than merely repeating empty words. The prayer is real, though its meaning is not grasped by the mind. Eph 6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer… but my mind is unfruitful. Because the speaker does not understand what is being prayed, the mind receives no benefit from the content. Paul therefore calls for worship that joins sincere spiritual devotion with understanding, especially when the church is gathered. Eph 4:17-18 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord,… Persons / Places / Events 1. Apostle PaulThe author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth about the use of spiritual gifts, particularly speaking in tongues. 2. Church in Corinth A diverse and spiritually gifted congregation facing issues of order and understanding in worship practices. 3. Speaking in Tongues A spiritual gift involving speaking in a language unknown to the speaker, which was causing confusion in the Corinthian church. 4. Holy Spirit The third person of the Trinity, who empowers believers with spiritual gifts, including tongues. 5. Corinth A major city in ancient Greece, known for its cultural diversity and moral challenges, which influenced the church's dynamics. Teaching Points The Role of the Spirit in PrayerThe Holy Spirit aids in our prayers, but understanding and edification should accompany spiritual fervor. Mind and Spirit in Worship Worship should engage both the spirit and the mind, ensuring that spiritual experiences are beneficial to the individual and the congregation. Order in Worship Paul advocates for orderly worship practices that prioritize the edification of the church body over individual expressions of spirituality. The Purpose of Spiritual Gifts 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. Balancing Spiritual Experience and Understanding Believers are encouraged to seek a balance between spiritual experiences and intellectual understanding to ensure fruitful worship and prayer. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 14:14?2. How does 1 Corinthians 14:14 guide our understanding of praying in the Spirit? 3. What role does the mind play in prayer according to 1 Corinthians 14:14? 4. How can we balance spirit-led prayer and understanding in our daily devotions? 5. What other scriptures emphasize the importance of understanding in prayer and worship? 6. How can we apply 1 Corinthians 14:14 to enhance our personal prayer life? 7. What does "my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful" mean in 1 Corinthians 14:14? 8. How does 1 Corinthians 14:14 relate to the practice of speaking in tongues today? 9. Why is the mind considered "unfruitful" during spiritual prayer in 1 Corinthians 14:14? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 14? (14) For if I pray in an unknown tongue.--Better, if I pray in a tongue. 1Corinthians 14:14-19 are expressed in the first person (except 1Corinthians 14:16-17, 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 1Corinthians 14:16), and not of private devotion; and the word "fruitless" implies the result, or rather the absence of result, as regards others.Verse 14. - My understanding is unfruitful. I am only aware that I am praying. I have no definite consciousness as to what I say. 1 Corinthians 14:14 teaches that praying in tongues is a genuine Spirit-empowered activity where the believer’s spirit communes with God, yet the mind does not benefit unless interpretation brings understanding. Scripture upholds both the fervor of Spirit-led prayer and the importance of fruitful, intelligible worship, guiding believers to pursue both heart-level intimacy and clear, edifying communication. Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Forγὰρ (gar) Conjunction Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. if ἐὰν (ean) Conjunction Strong's 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc. I pray προσεύχωμαι (proseuchōmai) Verb - Present Subjunctive Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular Strong's 4336: To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship. in a tongue, γλώσσῃ (glōssē) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 1100: The tongue; by implication, a language. 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. spirit πνεῦμά (pneuma) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit. prays, προσεύχεται (proseuchetai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 4336: To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship. but δὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. 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. mind νοῦς (nous) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3563: Probably from the base of ginosko; the intellect, i.e. Mind; by implication, meaning. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. unfruitful. ἄκαρπός (akarpos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 175: Unfruitful, barren, profitless. Barren. Additonal Resources 1 Corinthians 14:14 Blue Letter Bible1 Corinthians 14:14 Bible Gateway 1 Corinthians 14:14 Bible.com 1 Corinthians 14:14 NIV |
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