World English Bible · Under Rome
1 Corinthians 14
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Follow after love and earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may . For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to , for no one understands, but in he speaks . But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation. He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies . Now I to have you all speak with , but even more that you would . For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with , unless he interprets, that may be built up. But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with , what would I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of , or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching? Even lifeless things that make a sound, whether pipe or harp, if they didn't give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped? For if the gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war? So also you, unless you uttered by words easy to understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you would be speaking into the air. 10There are, it may be, so many kinds of in the world, and none of them is without meaning. If then I don't know the meaning of the language, I would be to him who speaks a , and he who speaks would be a to me. So also you, since you are for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of . Therefore let him who speaks in another language that he may . For if I in another language, prays, but my is unfruitful. What should I do? I will with , and I will with the also. I will sing with , and I will sing with the also. Otherwise, if you with , how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say the "" at your giving of thanks, seeing he doesn't know what you say? For you most certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up. I thank my , I speak with more than you all. However, in I would rather speak five words with my , that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in another language. Brothers, don't be children in , yet in malice be babies, but in be mature. In , "By men of strange and by of strangers I will speak to this people. They won't even listen to me that way, ." Therefore are for a sign, not to those who , but to the unbelieving; but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to those who . If therefore the whole is assembled together and all speak with , and unlearned or unbelieving people come in, won't they say that you are crazy? But if all , and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and he is judged by all. And thus the secrets of are . So he will fall down on and , declaring that is among you indeed. What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a , has another language, or has an . Let all things be done to build each other up. If any man speaks in another language, let there be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one . 28But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in , and let him speak to himself and to . Let two or three of speak, and let the others discern. But if a is made to another sitting by, let the first keep silent. For you all can one by one, that all may learn and all may be exhorted. The spirits of are subject to , for is not a of confusion but of peace, as in all the assemblies of . Let the wives be quiet in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to be talking except in submission, as also says, if they to learn anything. "Let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a wife to be talking in ." What!? Was it from you that the word of went out? Or did it come to you alone? If any man thinks himself to be a or spiritual, let him recognize the things which I write to you, that they are the of . But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. Therefore, brothers, earnestly to , and don't forbid speaking with . Let all things be done decently and in order.
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Christians read this chapter differently
- Are the miraculous gifts still given today? · 1 Corinthians 12 to 14
Every view at its strongest, with who holds it and what it has to answer for.
The world at this moment · Under Rome, 63 BC to AD 100 ›
Judea as a client kingdom and then a province. Roads, garrisons, taxes, crucifixion, and a common Greek language that let a message travel the empire faster than any before it.
- Rome
- The republic tears itself apart in civil war and comes out as an empire under Augustus. What follows is two centuries of relative peace across the whole Mediterranean, enforced by legions and paid for by taxes, with safe roads and safe sea lanes. Every one of Paul's journeys depends on that.
- Judea
- Governed first through Herod the Great, a client king of enormous ability and enormous brutality who rebuilds the temple into one of the wonders of the ancient world, then directly by Roman prefects. Crucifixion is the standard penalty for sedition and is used often and publicly.
- The wider world
- Greek is spoken from Spain to Syria, which means a letter written in Corinth can be read in Rome without translation. Jewish communities already exist in most major cities, which is where the first Christian preaching lands. Mystery religions, imperial cult, and philosophy all compete in the same marketplace.
- Further afield
- The Han dynasty rules China and trades silk westward along routes that touch the Roman world at second hand. In Britain the Roman conquest begins within a decade of the crucifixion.