1 Corinthians 14:15
New International Version
So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.

New Living Translation
Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand.

English Standard Version
What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

Berean Literal Bible
What then is it? I will pray with the spirit, but also I will pray with the mind. I will sing praise with the spirit, but also I will sing praise with the mind.

King James Bible
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

New King James Version
What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.

New American Standard Bible
What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit, but I will sing with the mind also.

NASB 1995
What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.

NASB 1977
What is the outcome then? I shall pray with the spirit and I shall pray with the mind also; I shall sing with the spirit and I shall sing with the mind also.

Legacy Standard Bible
What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.

Amplified Bible
Then what am I to do? I will pray with the spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me] and I will pray with the mind [using words I understand]; I will sing with the spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me] and I will sing with the mind [using words I understand].

Christian Standard Bible
What then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with my understanding. I will sing praise with the spirit, and I will also sing praise with my understanding.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
What then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with my understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with my understanding.

American Standard Version
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

Contemporary English Version
Then what should I do? There are times when I should pray with my spirit, and times when I should pray with my mind. Sometimes I should sing with my spirit, and at other times I should sing with my mind.

English Revised Version
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So what does this mean? It means that I will pray with my spirit, and I will pray with my mind. I will sing psalms with my spirit, and I will sing psalms with my mind.

Good News Translation
What should I do, then? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray also with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will sing also with my mind.

International Standard Version
What does this mean? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing psalms with my spirit, but I will also sing psalms with my mind.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
What should I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praises with my spirit, but I will also sing praises with my mind.

New Heart English Bible
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

Webster's Bible Translation
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

Weymouth New Testament
How then does the matter stand? I will pray in spirit, and I will pray with my understanding also. I will praise God in spirit, and I will praise Him with my understanding also.

World English Bible
What should I do? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
What then is it? I will pray [in] the spirit, and I will also pray [with] understanding; I will sing psalms [in] the spirit, and I will also sing psalms [with] understanding;

Berean Literal Bible
What then is it? I will pray with the spirit, but also I will pray with the mind. I will sing praise with the spirit, but also I will sing praise with the mind.

Young's Literal Translation
What then is it? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray also with the understanding; I will sing psalms with the spirit, and I will sing psalms also with the understanding;

Smith's Literal Translation
What therefore is it? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray also with the mind: I will play on the harp in the spirit, and I will play also on the harp in the mind.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
What is it then ? I will pray with the spirit, I will pray also with the understanding; I will sing with the spirit, I will sing also with the understanding.

Catholic Public Domain Version
What is next? I should pray with the spirit, and also pray with the mind. I should sing psalms with the spirit, and also recite psalms with the mind.

New American Bible
So what is to be done? I will pray with the spirit, but I will also pray with the mind. I will sing praise with the spirit, but I will also sing praise with the mind.

New Revised Standard Version
What should I do then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the mind also; I will sing praise with the spirit, but I will sing praise with the mind also.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, and I will pray with my understanding also: I will sing with my spirit, and I will sing with my understanding also.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
What therefore shall I do? I shall pray with my spirit, and I shall pray also with my understanding. I shall sing with my spirit, and I shall sing also with my understanding.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
What, then, is it? I will pray with the spirit which is given to me, and I will pray with my understanding also. I will sing with the spirit that is given to me, and I will sing with my understanding also.

Godbey New Testament
Then what is it? I will pray with my spirit, and I will pray with my mind also: I will sing with my spirit, and I will sing with my mind also.

Haweis New Testament
What then is my object? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing psalms with the spirit, and I will sing psalms with the understanding also.

Mace New Testament
what then is to be done? why, I will pray by the spirit, but my prayer shall be intelligible: I will sing by the spirit, but my hymn shall be intelligible.

Weymouth New Testament
How then does the matter stand? I will pray in spirit, and I will pray with my understanding also. I will praise God in spirit, and I will praise Him with my understanding also.

Worrell New Testament
What is it, then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also; I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

Worsley New Testament
What is then to be done? I will pray with the Spirit, but I will pray to be understood: I will sing with the spirit, but I will sing to be understood.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Prophecy and Tongues
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. 16Otherwise, 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?…

Cross References
Ephesians 5:19
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord,

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Romans 8:26-27
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. / And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

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

Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

James 5:13
Is any one of you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises.

Acts 16:25
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

Jude 1:20
But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,

Matthew 26:41
“Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing.

Psalm 47:7
For God is King of all the earth; sing to Him a psalm of praise.

Psalm 95:1-2
Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout to the Rock of our salvation! / Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him in song.

Psalm 100:1-2
A Psalm of thanksgiving. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth. / Serve the LORD with gladness; come into His presence with joyful songs.

Psalm 149:1
Hallelujah! Sing to the LORD a new song—His praise in the assembly of the godly.

Psalm 150:1-6
Hallelujah! Praise God in His sanctuary. Praise Him in His mighty heavens. / Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him for His excellent greatness. / Praise Him with the sound of the horn; praise Him with the harp and lyre. ...


Treasury of Scripture

What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

What.

1 Corinthians 10:19
What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

Romans 3:5
But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)

Romans 8:31
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

I will pray with the spirit.

1 Corinthians 14:19
Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

John 4:23,24
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him…

Romans 1:9
For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

and I will sing.

Psalm 47:7
For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.

Romans 12:1,2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service…

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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.














What then shall I do?
This rhetorical question reflects Paul's practical approach to spiritual gifts and worship. In the context of 1 Corinthians 14, Paul addresses the use of tongues and prophecy in the church. The question implies a need for balance and order in worship, emphasizing edification over personal experience. This aligns with the broader theme of 1 Corinthians, where Paul seeks to correct misunderstandings and misuses of spiritual gifts.

I will pray with my spirit,
Praying with the spirit refers to praying in tongues, a spiritual gift that Paul acknowledges as valuable for personal edification (1 Corinthians 14:4). This type of prayer is characterized by a deep, spiritual connection with God, transcending human language. It reflects the believer's intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit, as seen in Romans 8:26, where the Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words.

but I will also pray with my mind.
Paul emphasizes the importance of understanding in prayer. Praying with the mind involves using one's intellect and comprehension, ensuring that prayer is not only a spiritual exercise but also an act of conscious worship. This aligns with Jesus' teaching in Matthew 22:37, where believers are called to love God with all their heart, soul, and mind. It underscores the need for clarity and edification in corporate worship, as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:19.

I will sing with my spirit,
Singing with the spirit can be likened to singing in tongues or engaging in spontaneous, Spirit-led worship. This form of singing is an expression of joy and connection with God, reminiscent of Ephesians 5:19, where believers are encouraged to sing and make music in their hearts to the Lord. It highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in inspiring worship that transcends human limitations.

but I will also sing with my mind.
Singing with the mind involves using one's understanding and intellect in worship. This ensures that songs are doctrinally sound and edifying to the congregation. Colossians 3:16 emphasizes the importance of teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, indicating that worship should be both spiritually enriching and intellectually engaging. This balance reflects the holistic nature of worship, engaging both the spirit and the mind.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth. Paul is providing guidance on the use of spiritual gifts, particularly speaking in tongues and prophecy, within the church.

2. Church in Corinth
A diverse and spiritually gifted congregation facing issues of disorder and misunderstanding regarding spiritual gifts. Paul writes to correct and instruct them on proper worship practices.

3. Spiritual Gifts
The context of this passage is the use of spiritual gifts, especially speaking in tongues and prophecy, in the church. Paul emphasizes the importance of edification and understanding in worship.
Teaching Points
Balanced Worship
Worship should engage both the spirit and the mind. This balance ensures that our worship is both heartfelt and understandable, edifying both ourselves and others.

Understanding in Prayer
Praying with the mind involves understanding and articulating our prayers, which is crucial for personal edification and for those who hear us.

Edification of the Church
Spiritual gifts, including speaking in tongues, should be used in a way that builds up the church. This requires clarity and understanding, not just spiritual fervor.

Intentional Singing
Singing with both spirit and mind means our worship through song should be both passionate and thoughtful, reflecting on the truths of God’s Word.

Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit empowers our worship, enabling us to connect with God deeply while also engaging our intellect to comprehend and communicate His truths.(15) What is it then?--The Apostle, in answering this question--viz., What, then, is the practical conclusion of the whole matter?--still speaks in the first person, quoting his own conduct and resolution. He will not let his public ministrations as regards prayer and praise evaporate into mere enthusiasm; nor will he, on the other hand, allow a cold intellectual creed to chill and freeze the warm emotions of the spirit.

Verse 15. - What is it then? A phrase like the Latin quorsum haec? What is the purport of my exhortations? I will sing. This shows that the glossolaly sometimes took the form of singing. With the understanding also. When we worship or sing we must indeed "worship in spirit," but also worship and "sing praises with understanding" (Psalm 47:7; John 4:24).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
What
Τί (Ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

then
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

[shall I do]?
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.

I will pray
προσεύξομαι (proseuxomai)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 4336: To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship.

with [my]
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

spirit,
πνεύματι (pneumati)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit.

but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

I will also pray
προσεύξομαι (proseuxomai)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 4336: To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship.

with [my]
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

mind.
νοΐ (noi)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3563: Probably from the base of ginosko; the intellect, i.e. Mind; by implication, meaning.

I will sing
ψαλῶ (psalō)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 5567: Probably strengthened from psao; to twitch or twang, i.e. To play on a stringed instrument.

with [my]
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

spirit,
πνεύματι (pneumati)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit.

but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

I will also sing
ψαλῶ (psalō)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 5567: Probably strengthened from psao; to twitch or twang, i.e. To play on a stringed instrument.

with [my]
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

mind.
νοΐ (noi)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3563: Probably from the base of ginosko; the intellect, i.e. Mind; by implication, meaning.


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