1 Corinthians 14 · Verse 26

1 Corinthians 14:26

How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

1 Corinthians 14:26, King James Version

1 Corinthians 14:26 in other translations

BSB	What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.
WEB	What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, or has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up.
ASV	What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
YLT	What then is it, brethren? whenever ye may come together, each of you hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation? let all things be for building up;
DARBY	What is it then, brethren? whenever ye come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to edification.
BBE	What is it then, my brothers? when you come together everyone has a holy song, or a revelation, or a tongue, or is giving the sense of it. Let everything be done for the common good.
Webster	How is it then, brethren? when ye are assembled, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a language, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done to edification.

What does 1 Corinthians 14:26 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

26. How is it then?--rather, "What then is the true rule to be observed as to the use of gifts?" Compare 1Co 14:15, where the same Greek occurs. a psalm--extemporary, inspired by the Spirit, as that of Mary, Zechariah, Simeon, and Anna (Lu 1:46-55, 67-79; 2:34-38). a doctrine--to impart and set forth to the congregation. a tongue ... a revelation--The oldest manuscripts transpose the order: "revelation ... tongue"; "interpretation" properly following "tongue" (1Co 14:13). Let all things be done unto edifying--The general rule under which this particular case fails; an answer to the question at the beginning of this verse. Each is bound to obey the ordinances of his church not adverse to Scripture. See Article XXXIV, Church of England Prayer Book.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 26. How is it then, brethren? 1Cor 14:15. What is the fact? What actually occurs among you? Does that state of things exist which I have described? Is there that order in your public worship which is demanded and proper? It is implied in his asking this question that there might be some things among them which were improper, and which deserved reproof.

When ye come together. For worship.

Every one of you, etc. That is, all the things which are specified would be found among them. It is evidently not meant that all these things would be found in the same person, but would all exist at the same time; and thus confusion and disorder would be inevitable. Instead of waiting for an intimation from the presiding officer in the assembly, or speaking in succession and in order, each one probably regarded himself as under the influence of the Holy Spirit; as having an important message to communicate, or as being called on to celebrate the praises of God; and thus confusion and disorder would prevail. Many would be speaking at the same time, and a most unfavourable impression would be made on the minds of the strangers who should be present, 1Cor 14:23. This implied reproof of the Corinthians is certainly a reproof of those public assemblies where many speak at the same time; or where a portion are engaged in praying, and others in exhortation. Nor can it be urged that in such cases those who engage in these exercises are under the influence of the Holy Spirit; for, however true that may be, yet it is no more true than it was in Corinth, and yet the apostle reproved the practice there. The Holy Spirit is the Author of order, and not of confusion, 1Cor 14:33; and true religion prompts to peace and regularity, and not to discord and tumult.

Hath a psalm. Is disposed to sing; is inclined to praise; and, however irregular or improper, expresses his thanks in a public manner. 1Cor 14:16.

Hath a doctrine. Has some religious truth on his mind which he deems it of special importance to inculcate. 1Cor 14:6.

Hath a tongue. Has something made known to him in a foreign language; or has a power of speaking a foreign language, and exercises it, though it produces great confusion.

Hath a revelation. Some truth which has been particularly revealed to him; perhaps an explanation of some mystery, (Doddridge;) or a revelation of some future event, (Macknight;) or a prophecy, (Bloomfield;) or a power of explaining some of the truths couched in the types and figures of the Old Testament, (Grotius.)

Hath an interpretation. An explanation of something that has been uttered by another in a foreign language. 1Cor 12:10.

Let all things, etc. Let this be the great principle, to promote the edification of the church. 1Cor 14:12. If this rule were followed, it would prevent confusion and disorder.

(b) "doctrine" 1Cor 14:6 (+) "tongue" "Language" (c) "Let all things" 1Cor 14:40

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 26 How is it - every one of you hath a psalm, etc. - Dr. Lightfoot understands this in the following manner: When the congregation came together, some were for spending the time in psalmody; others in explaining particular doctrines; others in reading, praying, or speaking in the Hebrew tongue; others were curious to hear of farther revelations; and others wished to spend the time in the interpretation of what had already been spoken. This may be specious, but to me it is not satisfactory. It seems more likely that, when the whole Church came together, among whom there were many persons with extraordinary gifts, each of them wished to put himself forward, and occupy the time and attention of the congregation: hence confusion must necessarily take place, and perhaps not a little contention. This was contrary to that edifying which was the intention of these gifts.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:26-33

Religious exercises in public assemblies should have this view; Let all be done to edifying. As to the speaking in an unknown tongue, if another were present who could interpret, two miraculous gifts might be exercised at once, and thereby the church be edified, and the faith of the hearers confirmed at the same time. As to prophesying, two or three only should speak at one meeting, and this one after the other, not all at once. The man who is inspired by the Spirit of God will observe order and decency in delivering his revelations. God never teaches men to neglect their duties, or to act in any way unbecoming their age or station.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

1 Corinthians 14:26 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΤίTiWhatG5101

οὖνounthenG3767

ἐστιν,estinis it,G1510

ἀδελφοί;adelphoibrothers?G80

ὅτανhotanWhenG3752

συνέρχησθε,sunerchēstheyou may come together,G4905

ἕκαστοςhekastoseachG1538

ὑμῶνhumōnof youG4771

ψαλμὸνpsalmona psalmG5568

ἔχει,echeihas,G2192

διδαχὴνdidachēna teachingG1322

ἔχει,echeihas,G2192

ἀποκάλυψινapokalupsina revelationG602

ἔχει,echeihas,G2192

γλῶσσανglōssana tongueG1100

ἔχει,echeihas,G2192

ἑρμηνείανhermēneianan interpretationG2058

ἔχει·echeihas;G2192

πάνταpantaAll thingsG3956

πρὸςprosforG4314

οἰκοδομὴνoikodomēnedificationG3619

γινέσθω.ginesthōshould be.G1096

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Corinthians 14:26

Ephesians 5:19
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Romans 14:19
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
1 Corinthians 12:7-10
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Ephesians 4:16
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
1 Corinthians 14:12-13
Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Ephesians 4:12
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
2 Corinthians 12:19
Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
1 Corinthians 14:40
Let all things be done decently and in order.
2 Corinthians 13:10
Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.
1 Corinthians 14:4-6
He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

every.
6; 12:8-10
Let.
4,5,12,40; 12:7; Ro 14:19; 2Co 12:19; 13:10; Eph 4:12,16,29
1Th 5:11

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

1 Corinthians 14:25
And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
1 Corinthians 14:26
How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
1 Corinthians 14:27
If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

Read all of 1 Corinthians 14

1 Corinthians 14:26 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	¿Qué hay pues, hermanos? Cuando os juntáis, cada uno de vosotros tiene salmo, tiene doctrina, tiene lengua, tiene revelación, tiene interpretación: hágase todo para edificación.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Qu’est-ce donc, frères? Quand vous vous réunissez, chacun de vous a un psaume, a un enseignement, a une langue, a une révélation, a une interprétation: que tout se fasse pour l’édification.
German Elberfelder 1871	Was ist es nun, Brüder? Wenn ihr zusammenkommet, so hat ein jeder von euch einen Psalm, hat eine Lehre, hat eine Sprache, hat eine Offenbarung, hat eine Auslegung; alles geschehe zur Erbauung.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Quid ergo est, fratres? Cum convenitis, unusquisque vestrum psalmum habet, doctrinam habet, apocalypsim habet, linguam habet, interpretationem habet: omnia ad ædificationem fiant.