1 Corinthians 14:28 Meaning and Explanation
“But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →If no interpreter is present, the speaker should stay silent in the assembly and speak only to himself and to God.
What Does 1 Corinthians 14:28 Mean?
Paul addresses what to do when interpretation is unavailable. Without someone to make the tongue understandable, the speaker is to refrain from speaking aloud in the gathering and instead keep the words between himself and God.
This is restraint offered in love. The gift is not condemned, it remains a private channel of devotion before God, but it is held back when it cannot help the assembly. Paul teaches a beautiful self-discipline: the willingness to be silent for the sake of others. Sometimes love is shown not in what we say but in what we choose not to say. The quiet that serves the church is itself an act of worship.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 14:28
What does 1 Corinthians 14:28 mean?
If no interpreter is present, the speaker should stay silent in the assembly and speak only to himself and to God.