1 Corinthians 14:14
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].

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.

Majority Standard Bible
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

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.

World English Bible
For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for 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 Bible
For 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 Bible
For 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 Testament
For 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



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
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.

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,

Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

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.

John 4:24
God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”

Philippians 1:19
because I know that through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, my distress will turn out for my deliverance.

Isaiah 28:11-12
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.

Isaiah 29:13
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.


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.

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Barren Language Makes Mind Prayer Prayers Prayeth Prays Spirit Tongue Tongues Understanding Unfruitful Unknown Use
1 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
The practice of speaking in tongues, or glossolalia, was a spiritual gift present in the early church, as seen in Acts 2 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.

my spirit prays
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 Romans 8:26, 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.

but my mind is unfruitful
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 Ephesians 4:12. The call is for balance between spiritual experiences and intellectual engagement, ensuring that worship is both heartfelt and comprehensible.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Apostle Paul
The 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 Prayer
The 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.(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.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
γὰρ (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.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 14:14 For if I pray in another language (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 14:13
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