1 Corinthians 14:2 Meaning and Explanation
“For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →One who speaks in a tongue addresses God rather than the people, since no one present can understand what is said.
What Does 1 Corinthians 14:2 Mean?
Paul begins to compare two gifts the Corinthians valued: speaking in tongues and prophesying. Here he describes the nature of the tongue itself. Without an interpreter, the words rise toward God but pass over the heads of the listeners, who cannot grasp their meaning.
There is something tender in the picture: a heart pouring out hidden things before God, real and Spirit-touched, yet sealed from those nearby. Paul will not call this worthless, the speaker truly communes with God. But a gathering exists for one another, and what cannot be understood cannot strengthen a neighbor. The verse quietly prepares us to weigh private blessing against shared benefit.
1 Corinthians 14:2 in the Original Language
glossa (γλῶσσα), 'tongue' -- a language, here a Spirit-given utterance not understood by the hearers without interpretation.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 14:2
What does 1 Corinthians 14:2 mean?
One who speaks in a tongue addresses God rather than the people, since no one present can understand what is said.