1 Corinthians 14:2 Parallel Translations

When a person speaks in another language, he doesn't speak to people but to God. No one understands him. His spirit is speaking mysteries.(GOD'S WORD®)

KJV:

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.

ASV:

For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth; but in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

BBE:

For he who makes use of tongues is not talking to men but to God; because no one has the sense of what he is saying; but in the Spirit he is talking of secret things.

DBY:

For he that speaks with a tongue does not speak to men but to God: for no one hears; but in spirit he speaks mysteries.

ERV:

For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth; but in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

WEY:

For he who speaks in an unknown tongue is not speaking to men, but to God; for no one understands him. Yet in the Spirit he is speaking secret truths.

WBS:

For he that speaketh in an unknown language, speaketh not to men, but to God: for no man understandeth him; yet in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

WEB:

For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries.

YLT:

for he who is speaking in an unknown tongue -- to men he doth not speak, but to God, for no one doth hearken, and in spirit he doth speak secrets;

1 Corinthians 14:2 Cross References

XREF:

Mark 16:17 "These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues;

1 Corinthians 12:10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.

1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.

1 Corinthians 13:1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

1 Corinthians 13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

1 Corinthians 14:18 I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; (NASB ©1995)

Commentaries and Concordances

GSB:

14:2 {2} For he that speaketh in an [unknown] {b} tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth [him]; howbeit in the {c} spirit he speaketh mysteries.
(2) He reprehends their perverse judgment concerning the gift of tongues. For why was it given? The answer: so that the mysteries of God might be the better known to a greater number. By this it is evident that prophecy, which the gift of tongues ought to serve, is better than this: and therefore the Corinthians judged incorrectly, in that they made more account of the gift of tongues than of prophesying: because no doubt the gift of tongues was a thing more to be bragged of. And hereupon followed another abuse of the gift of tongues, in that the Corinthians used tongues in the congregation without an interpreter. And although this thing might be done to some profit of him that spoke them, yet he corrupted the right use of that gift because there came by it no profit to the hearers. And common assemblies were instituted and appointed not for any private man's commodity, but for the profit of the whole company.
(b) A strange language, which no man can understand without an interpreter.
(c) By that inspiration which he has received of the Spirit, which nonetheless he abuses, when he speaks mysteries which none of the company can understand.

PNT:

14:2 For he that speaketh in an [unknown] language. Hath the gift of tongues. The tenor of Paul's remarks shows that the Corinthians placed too high a comparative estimate on this gift.
In the spirit he speaketh mysteries. Things that are unknown and mysterious to his hearers. Men do not understand him.

WES:

14:2 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaks, in effect, not to men, but to God - Who alone understands him.

MHC:

14:1-5 Prophesying, that is, explaining Scripture, is compared with speaking with tongues. This drew attention, more than the plain interpretation of Scripture; it gratified pride more, but promoted the purposes of Christian charity less; it would not equally do good to the souls of men. What cannot be understood, never can edify. No advantage can be reaped from the most excellent discourses, if delivered in language such as the hearers cannot speak or understand. Every ability or possession is valuable in proportion to its usefulness. Even fervent, spiritual affection must be governed by the exercise of the understanding, else men will disgrace the truths they profess to promote.

CONC:

Hearken Hears Howbeit Indeed Language Makes Mysteries Saying Secret Secrets Sense Speak Speaketh Speaking Speaks Spirit Talking Tongue Tongues Truths Understandeth Understands Unknown Utters Yet

Hearken Hears Howbeit Indeed Language Makes Mysteries Secret Secrets Sense Speak Speaketh Speaking Speaks Spirit Talking Tongue Tongues Truths Understandeth Understands Unknown Use Utters

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GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved.

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