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Selected Verse: 1 Corinthians 14:14 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 1Co 14:14 |
Strong Concordance |
For [1063] if [1437] I pray [4336] in an unknown tongue [1100], my [3450] spirit [4151] prayeth [4336], but [1161] my [3450] understanding [3563] is [2076] unfruitful [175]. |
| |
King James |
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
| spirit--my higher being, the passive object of the Holy Spirit's operations, and the instrument of prayer in the unknown tongue, distinguished from the "understanding," the active instrument of thought and reasoning; which in this case must be "unfruitful" in edifying others, since the vehicle of expression is unintelligible to them. On the distinction of soul or mind and spirit, see Eph 4:23; Heb 4:12. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
For if I pray ... - The reference to prayer here, and to singing in Co1 14:15, is designed to illustrate the propriety of the general sentiment which he is defending, that public worship should be conducted in a language that would be intelligible to the people. However well meant it might be, or however the "heart" might be engaged in it, yet unless it was intelligible, and the understanding could join in it, it would be vain and profitless.
My spirit prayeth - The word spirit here (πνεῦμα pneuma) has been variously understood. Some have understood it of the Holy Spirit - the Spirit by which Paul says he was actuated. Others of the "spiritual gift," or that spiritual influence by which he was endowed. Others of the mind itself. But it is probable that the word "spirit" refers to the "will;" or to the mind, as the seat of the affections and emotions; that is, to the heart, desires, or intentions. The word "spirit" is often used in the Scriptures as the seat of the affections, and emotions, and passions of various kinds; see Mat 5:3, "Blessed are the poor in spirit;" Luk 10:21, "Jesus rejoiced in spirit." So it is the seat of ardor or fervor Luk 1:17; Act 18:25; Rom 12:11; of grief or indignation; Mar 3:12; Joh 11:33; Joh 13:21; Act 17:16. It refers also to feelings, disposition, or temper of mind, in Luk 9:55; Rom 8:15. Here it refers, it seems to me. to the heart, the will, the disposition, the feelings, as contradistinguished from the understanding; and the sense is, "My feelings find utterance in prayer; my heart is engaged in devotion; my prayer will be acceptable to God, who looks upon the feelings of the heart, and I may have true enjoyment; but my understanding will be unfruitful, that is, will not profit others. What I say will not he understood by them; and of course, however much benefit I might derive from my devotions, yet they would be useless to others."
But my understanding - (ὁ δὲ νοῦς μου ho de nous mou). My intellect, my mind; my mental efforts and operations.
Is unfruitful - Produces nothing that will be of advantage to them. It is like a barren tree; a tree that bears nothing that can be of benefit to others. They cannot understand what I say, and of course, they cannot be profited by what I utter. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Spirit (πνεῦμα)
The human spirit, which is moved by the divine Spirit. See on Rom 8:4.
Understanding (νοῦς)
See on Rom 7:23.
Is unfruitful (ἄκαρπός ἐστιν)
Furnishes nothing to others. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| If I pray in an unknown tongue - The apostle, as he did at Co1 14:6, transfers it to himself. My spirit prayeth - By the power of the Spirit I understand the words myself. But my understanding is unfruitful - The knowledge I have is no benefit to others. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
| For if I pray in an unknown tongue - If my prayers are composed of sentences and sayings taken out of the prophets, etc., and in their own language - my spirit prayeth, my heart is engaged in the work, and my prayers answer all the purpose of prayers to myself; but my understanding is unfruitful to all others, because they do not understand my prayers, and I either do not or cannot interpret them. See the note on Co1 14:19. |
12 For [1063] the word [3056] of God [2316] is quick [2198], and [2532] powerful [1756], and [2532] sharper [5114] than [5228] any [3956] twoedged [1366] sword [3162], piercing [1338] even to [891] the dividing asunder [3311] of soul [5590] and [5037] [2532] spirit [4151], and [5037] [2532] of the joints [719] and [2532] marrow [3452], and [2532] is a discerner [2924] of the thoughts [1761] and [2532] intents [1771] of the heart [2588].
23 And [1161] be renewed [365] in the spirit [4151] of your [5216] mind [3563];
15 For [1063] ye have [2983] not [3756] received [2983] the spirit [4151] of bondage [1397] again [3825] to [1519] fear [5401]; but [235] ye have received [2983] the Spirit [4151] of adoption [5206], whereby [1722] [3739] we cry [2896], Abba [5], Father [3962].
55 But [1161] he turned [4762], and rebuked [2008] them [846], and [2532] said [2036], Ye know [1492] not [3756] what manner [3634] of spirit [4151] ye [5210] are of [2075].
16 Now [1161] while Paul [3972] waited for [1551] them [846] at [1722] Athens [116], his [846] spirit [4151] was stirred [3947] in [1722] him [846], when he saw [2334] the city [4172] wholly given [5607] to idolatry [2712].
21 When Jesus [2424] had [2036] thus [5023] said [2036], he was troubled [5015] in spirit [4151], and [2532] testified [3140], and [2532] said [2036], Verily [281], verily [281], I say [3004] unto you [5213], that [3754] one [1520] of [1537] you [5216] shall betray [3860] me [3165].
33 When [5613] Jesus [2424] therefore [3767] saw [1492] her [846] weeping [2799], and [2532] the Jews [2453] also weeping [2799] which came [4905] with her [846], he groaned [1690] in the spirit [4151], and [2532] was troubled [5015] [1438],
12 And [2532] he straitly [4183] charged [2008] them [846] that [3363] they should [4160] not [3363] make [4160] him [846] known [5318].
11 Not [3361] slothful [3636] in business [4710]; fervent [2204] in spirit [4151]; serving [1398] the Lord [2962];
25 This man [3778] was [2258] instructed in [2727] the way [3598] of the Lord [2962]; and [2532] being fervent [2204] in the spirit [4151], he spake [2980] and [2532] taught [1321] diligently [199] the things of [4012] the Lord [2962], knowing [1987] only [3440] the baptism [908] of John [2491].
17 And [2532] he [846] shall go [4281] before [1799] him [846] in [1722] the spirit [4151] and [2532] power [1411] of Elias [2243], to turn [1994] the hearts [2588] of the fathers [3962] to [1909] the children [5043], and [2532] the disobedient [545] to [1722] the wisdom [5428] of the just [1342]; to make ready [2090] a people [2992] prepared [2680] for the Lord [2962].
21 In [1722] that [846] hour [5610] Jesus [2424] rejoiced in [21] spirit [4151], and [2532] said [2036], I thank [1843] thee [4671], O Father [3962], Lord [2962] of heaven [3772] and [2532] earth [1093], that [3754] thou hast hid [613] these things [5023] from [575] the wise [4680] and [2532] prudent [4908], and [2532] hast revealed [601] them [846] unto babes [3516]: even so [3483], Father [3962]; for [3754] so [3779] it seemed [1096] good [2107] in [1715] thy [4675] sight [1715].
3 Blessed [3107] are the poor [4434] in spirit [4151]: for [3754] theirs [846] is [2076] the kingdom [932] of heaven [3772].
15 What [5101] is it [2076] then [3767]? I will pray [4336] with the spirit [4151], and [1161] I will pray [4336] with the understanding [3563] also [2532]: I will sing [5567] with the spirit [4151], and [1161] I will sing [5567] with the understanding [3563] also [2532].
23 But [1161] I see [991] another [2087] law [3551] in [1722] my [3450] members [3196], warring against [497] the law [3551] of my [3450] mind [3563], and [2532] bringing [163] me [3165] into captivity [163] to the law [3551] of sin [266] which [3588] is [5607] in [1722] my [3450] members [3196].
4 That [2443] the righteousness [1345] of the law [3551] might be fulfilled [4137] in [1722] us [2254], who walk [4043] not [3361] after [2596] the flesh [4561], but [235] after [2596] the Spirit [4151].
6 [1161] Now [3570], brethren [80], if [1437] I come [2064] unto [4314] you [5209] speaking [2980] with tongues [1100], what [5101] shall I profit [5623] you [5209], except [3362] I shall speak [2980] to you [5213] either [2228] by [1722] revelation [602], or [2228] by [1722] knowledge [1108], or [2228] by [1722] prophesying [4394], or [2228] by [1722] doctrine [1322]?
19 Yet [235] in [1722] the church [1577] I had rather [2309] speak [2980] five [4002] words [3056] with [1223] my [3450] understanding [3563], that [2443] by my voice I might teach [2727] others [243] also [2532], than [2228] ten thousand [3463] words [3056] in [1722] an unknown tongue [1100].