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1 Corinthians 14:13

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Corinthians 14:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may interpret.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
1 Corinthians 14:13 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Corinthians 14

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and no [kind] is without signification.
11If then I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian unto me.
12So also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church.
13Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15What 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.
16Else if thou bless with the spirit, how shall he that filleth the place of the unlearned say the Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he knoweth not what thou sayest?
← 1 Corinthians 14:121 Corinthians 14:14 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue, etc.] The Hebrew, or any other, the gift of speaking with which is bestowed upon him: pray that he may interpret; that he may have also the gift of interpretation of tongues; for as has been before hinted, these two gifts were distinct; and a man might have the one, and not the other; a man might speak in an unknown tongue, so as to understand himself, what he said, and be edified, and yet not be capable of translating it at once into the common language of the people; and if he could not do this, he would not excel in his gift to the edification of the church; whereas if he could interpret he would, and therefore, above all things, he…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Explain, "Let him who speaketh with a tongue [unknown] in his prayer (or, when praying) strive that he may interpret" [ALFORD]. This explanation of "pray" is needed by its logical connection with "prayer in an unknown tongue" (Co1 14:14). Though his words be unintelligible to his hearers, let him in them pray that he may obtain the gift of interpreting, which will make them "edifying" to "the church" (Co1 14:12).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Pray that he may interpret - Let him ask of God ability that he may explain it clearly to the church. It would seem probable that the power of speaking foreign languages, and the power of conveying truth in a clear and distinct manner, were not always found in the same person, and that the one did not of necessity imply the other. The truth seems to have been, that these extraordinary endowments of the Holy Spirit were bestowed upon people in some such way as “ordinary” talents and mental powers are now conferred; and that they became in a similar sense the “characteristic mental endowments of the individual,” and of course were subject to the same laws, and liable to the same kinds of…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“That he may be able to interpret - Which was a distinct gift. 1 Corinthians 14:14”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“14:13 Paul does not forbid speaking in tongues (see 14:39), but the ability to interpret is crucial, especially in public worship (see 14:27-28).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“pray: Co1 14:27, Co1 14:28, Co1 12:10, Co1 12:30; Mar 11:24; Joh 14:13, Joh 14:14; Act 1:14, Act 4:29-31, Act 8:15 1 Corinthians 14:14”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Corinthians 14 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification