1 Corinthians 14:20

My fellow believers, stop being like little children in the way that you think about these abilities that God’s Spirit gives. Instead, think about them in a mature way. If you really want to be like little children, do as few wicked things as babies do!

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

In Context

19But during a worship service, in order that others will understand what I am saying, I would prefer to speak five words using my mind, in order that I may teach others, rather than to speak 10,000 words in a language [MTY] that is not understood by the congregation.

21When the Jews long ago refused to obey God, he warned them about what would happen when he allowed their enemies to punish them. In the Scriptures it is written { the prophet Isaiah wrote} what the Lord God said about that, They didn’t listen to prophets speaking their own language, so I will send people from foreign lands to attack my people. Those foreigners will speak languages that my people do not know [DOU]. In that way, I will warn my people, but they will still not pay attention to what I say.

Read all of 1 Corinthians 14

Cross References

Psalms 119:99I understand more than my teachers do, because I ◄meditate on/think about► ◄your requirements/what you have instructed us to do►.

Isaiah 11:3He will be glad to obey Yahweh. He will not decide whether someone is righteous or not only by seeing what that person looks like, or by listening to what others say about that person.

Matthew 18:3He said, “Think about this: If you (pl) do not change the way you(pl) think and become as humble as little children, you (pl) will surely not go to the place where God [MTY/EUP] rules.

Mark 10:15Note this: Those who do not trustingly allow God to direct their lives, as children do, will not enter the place where God rules.”

1 Corinthians 2:6I do teach a message that people who are spiritually mature consider to be wise. But I do not teach a message that unbelievers consider to be wise. I also do not teach a message that unbelieving rulers in the world consider to be wise. What they think about it does not matter, because some day ◄they will lose their power/not be ruling any more►.

1 Corinthians 13:11When we were children, we talked like children talk, we thought like children think, we reasoned like children reason. But when we grew up, we got rid of our childish ways [MET]. Similarly, you need to get rid of your childish thinking about the abilities that the Spirit has given you.

Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 14:16-21

On Spiritual Gifts. ( a. d. 57.) 15 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. 16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? 17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. 18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19 Yet in… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study 1 Corinthians 14:20