I Corinthians 14:28 · Bible study
1 Corinthians 14:28 Commentary: Speech to Self and God in Ordered Worship
Greek · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
What does Paul mean by 'speak to himself and to God'? This study examines the Greek imperatives, the key interpretive question of private vs.
Research Summary
- Meaning: When no one can interpret, the tongue speaker must stop addressing the assembly and instead use the gift privately, for personal edification and God’s hearing.
- Key words: σιγάτω (silence, imperative), λαλείτω (speak, imperative), διερμηνευτής (interpreter), ἑαυτῷ (to himself), τῷ θεῷ (to God).
- Main debate: Whether “speak to himself and to God” means silent mental prayer, quiet whispering, or vocal private prayer outside the assembly.
- Theological theme: The priority of corporate edification over individual expression in gathered worship.
- Best use: A foundational text for regulating the public exercise of tongues in Christian worship, emphasizing love, order, and intelligibility.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God.
WEB World English Bible 2000
But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself and to God.
KJV King James Version 1769
But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
and if there may be no interpreter, let him be silent in an assembly, and to himself let him speak, and to God.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
but if there be no interpreter, let him be silent in [the] assembly, and let him speak to himself and to God.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
But if there be no interpreter, let him hold his peace in the church and speak to himself and to God.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y si no hubiere intérprete, calle en la iglesia, y hable á sí mismo y á Dios.
Mas se não houver intérprete, cale-se na igreja, fale porém consigo mesmo, e com Deus.
s’ il n’ y a point d’ interprète, qu’ on se taise dans l’ Église, et qu’ on parle à soi-même et à Dieu.
Ist aber kein Ausleger da, so schweige er in der Gemeinde, rede aber sich selber und Gott.
Maar indien er geen uitlegger is, dat hij zwijge in de Gemeente; doch dat hij tot zichzelven spreke, en tot God.
e se non v’è chi interpreti, si tacciano nella chiesa e parlino a se stessi e a Dio.
A jeźliby tłumacza nie było niechże we zborze milczy ten, który obcym językiem mówi, a niech mówi sobie i Bogu.
Если же не будет истолкователя, то молчи в церкви, а говори себе и Богу.
若 沒 有 人翻，就當在會 中 閉口，只 對自己 和 神 說就是了。
But if there is no one to give the sense, let him keep quiet in the church; and let his words be to himself and to God.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · I Corinthians 14:28
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Paul gives a clear rule: when no interpreter is present, the tongue speaker must not address the assembly publicly. The reason is edification, without interpretation, the congregation gains nothing (cf. 1 Cor 14:6, 11). Regarding the phrase “speak to himself and to God,” the majority view is that the speaker may still use his gift privately for his own edification and for God's glory. Calvin argues this means the speaker “enjoy[s] his gift in his own conscience” and gives thanks. Barnes and Gill similarly see it as private communion with God, either through quiet meditation or low-voiced prayer. The imperative σιγάτω (“let him be silent”) is a strong command: public speech must cease when no interpreter is present.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Silent internal prayer: Calvin and Barnes argue that 'speak to himself and to God' means mental meditation or silent prayer, as the speaker's mind is engaged with God.
- Whispered or low-voiced speech: Gill suggests 'speaking with a low voice, or in his heart' as a middle ground: audible enough for the speaker himself, but not to others.
- Private vocal prayer outside assembly: Matthew Henry and others imply the speaker should retire to private devotions, using the gift in solitude for edification and thanksgiving.
What is clear: The tongue speaker must not address the assembly without an interpreter; the use of the gift is redirected to a non-public context for personal and divine communion.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Mode of private speech | All traditions agree that the phrase means the gift is not wasted; the speaker can still benefit and honor God privately. | Some (e.g., Calvin, Barnes) see it as internal meditation or silent prayer; others (e.g., Gill) allow for a whisper or low voice. No tradition insists on a specific volume. |
| Application to modern worship | Christians agree that public tongues require interpretation for the service to be orderly and edifying. | Cessationist traditions argue that the absence of interpreters today implies tongues should cease; continuationist traditions hold that interpretation remains possible and this rule ensures order. |
| Meaning of 'interpreter' | An interpreter is someone with the gift of interpretation (1 Cor 12:10), not necessarily a translator of a known language. | Some commentators (e.g., Lightfoot via Poole) think the tongues were known human languages; others think they could be ecstatic speech. The interpreter’s role remains the same: to render the content understandable. |
| Private use of tongues | This verse permits the tongue speaker to speak to himself and God, implying private devotional use is valid. | Charismatic traditions see this as a model for private prayer language; non-charismatic traditions often view it as teaching that the gift should not be used at all if not interpreted, but respect the private devotion interpretation. |
Historical & Cultural Context
First Corinthians 14 is set within a worship assembly in first-century Corinth, likely meeting in a private home (Rom 16:5; 1 Cor 16:19). The Corinthian church was marked by a zealous but disorderly exercise of spiritual gifts, especially speaking in tongues. Paul’s overriding concern is that “all things be done to build each other up” (v.26). The phrase “in the church” (ἐν ἐκκλησίᾳ) refers to the gathered local assembly, not a building.
In the Greco-Roman world, public gatherings valued decorum; disordered speech would reflect poorly on the community. Paul’s regulation aligns with Jewish synagogue practice, where readings and interpretations were given in an orderly fashion. The gift of tongues in Corinth involved speaking in languages not known to the speaker (or potentially ecstatic speech, scholars differ). The requirement for an interpreter (διερμηνευτής) ensured the content could be understood. When no interpreter was present, silence protected the congregation from confusion and preserved the dignity of worship.
The instruction to speak “to himself and to God” is not a concession to pride but a pastoral safeguard: the speaker may still benefit privately without disrupting the body. This fits Paul’s broader theme that “God is not a God of confusion but of peace” (v.33). The historical context thus frames the verse as a practical rule for orderly worship in a specific cultural and ecclesial setting.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for this verse. The Greek text is stable across major manuscripts (P46, Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, Alexandrinus). The words “in the church” (ἐν ἐκκλησίᾳ) appear in all witnesses; there is no evidence that the verse was altered to suppress tongues.
Reception History
Throughout church history, this verse has been used to regulate the public use of tongues. Early church fathers like Chrysostom emphasized order and the priority of edification. In the Reformation, Calvin and the Geneva Bible highlighted the private benefit of the gift. Wesley and the Methodist tradition saw it as permission for private use of tongues in prayer. In the 20th-century charismatic renewal, this verse became a key rule for order in worship: tongues require interpretation, and without it, the speaker must be silent. Modern ecumenical discussions often cite this passage as a model for balancing spiritual expression with congregational unity.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- When no interpreter is present, silence is required. Paul does not ask if the speaker feels led; he commands silence (σιγάτω, imperative). The community's edification outweighs personal expression.
- The speaker may still use the gift privately. “Speak to himself and to God” means the gift is not wasted. Private prayer or meditation on what God has revealed remains valuable for the individual’s faith.
- The goal is orderly worship that builds up the body. Paul’s rule protects both the speaker (from useless display) and the congregation (from confusion). Tongues with interpretation edify; without, they are like a musical instrument playing a tune no one recognizes (see vv.7, 11).
Five-point outline
- Check for an interpreter, before speaking publicly, confirm who can interpret (v.27, 28a).
- If no interpreter exists, remain silent in the assembly, this is a binding rule, not an option (v.28b).
- Redirect the gift to private use, speak to yourself and to God (v.28c). This is not a punishment; it’s a redirection.
- Honor the priority of edification, public worship aims to build everyone up (v.26).
- Trust God’s order, Paul’s regulations come from a heart of peace, not suppression (v.33).
Illustration hooks
- Private prayer during a public event: A person feels a strong urge to pray aloud during a meeting but realizes it would distract others. They whisper their prayer or lift it silently, trusting God hears. That is “speak to himself and to God.”
- A letter received in a language you don’t speak: You have the ability to read it aloud, but no one present can translate. Reading it to yourself for your own benefit, or waiting until a translator arrives, mirrors Paul’s instruction.
- Musician tuning before a concert: A musician may practice a beautiful piece in a soundproof room, but on stage it must be understandable to the audience. So with tongues: private use is valuable, public use requires understanding.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does this mean tongue speakers are forbidden from ever speaking in tongues in church? (Answer: only when no one interprets; with interpretation it is allowed, v.27.)
- Is “speak to himself and to God” silent prayer or whispered speech? (Commentators vary; the point is that it is not addressed to the assembly.)
- Can this gift still be used today in private devotions? (Many Christians across traditions affirm private use of tongues for personal prayer, following Paul’s implication here.)
Leading a Discussion
This verse cuts to the heart of Paul’s concern for order in worship. The Corinthian believers valued spiritual expression above unity; Paul gently but firmly reorients them. As you discuss, consider what it means to balance personal spirituality with corporate good.
Discussion questions
- What does the phrase “if there is no interpreter” tell us about how tongues functioned in the early church? (Read v.27, 28 together.)
- Why do you think Paul uses a command (“let him keep silent”) rather than a suggestion? What does that reveal about the importance of order?
- Calvin and Gill interpret “speak to himself and to God” as private prayer or meditation. How might that practice be spiritually beneficial, even if not publicly audible?
- How does this verse challenge the idea that every spiritual impulse must be expressed publicly during worship?
- Paul says tongues without interpretation are like indistinct sounds (v.7, 11). How does the principle of intelligibility apply to other parts of worship today (e.g., song lyrics, prayers, preaching)?
- If a tongue speaker feels compelled to speak but no interpreter is present, what options does Paul offer? Is there room for the speaker to gently excuse themselves?
- How might this passage help a church that is divided over the use of tongues to find common ground? What does it teach about mutual love (ch.13) applied in practice?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
But if there be no interpreter - If there be none present who can give the proper sense of this Hebrew reading and speaking, then let him keep silence, and not occupy the time of the Church, by speaking in a language which only himself can understand.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes stresses that when no one with the gift of interpretation is present, the one speaking in tongues must not address the assembly at all. Instead he should speak only to himself and to God, turning the utterance into private meditation and secret prayer.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin reads the phrase as a private act: acknowledging God's gift inwardly with thanksgiving, without public display. The point is the contrast between secret, personal speech and speaking openly in the church assembly, which he had just forbidden.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
in the church ] These words imply that the utterance was to be reserved until the speaker found himself in private, since in the Church it could only serve for an opportunity of useless display.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note draws a firm line: speaking in tongues during worship requires an interpreter. Without one, the speaker must stay silent in the assembly and instead pray or praise privately to himself and to God. The rule prioritizes order and edification over individual spiritual expression.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill emphasizes that someone who speaks in tongues without an interpreter present must stay silent in the church gathering. He may quietly use his gift for his own edification and God’s glory, either in a low voice or in his heart, but public use without interpretation only hinders others and dampens devotion.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB explains that when no interpreter is available, the tongue-speaker must address God silently and privately. Speaking "to himself and to God" means the utterance is not to be heard by others, effectively forbidding public tongue-speaking without interpretation.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange argues that the gift of tongues at Corinth was not ordinary foreign languages but a Spirit-inspired ecstatic utterance, unintelligible without interpretation. He distinguishes this from Pentecost, where hearers understood in their own languages. For him, tongues were a form of worship in the spirit, not the understanding, and required a separate gift to make them edifying for the church.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry sees the Corinthians' disorder as the real problem: each person eagerly displays a gift, turning worship into an uproar. His emphasis falls on the straightforward rule that every part of the service must aim at building others up, not showcasing individual abilities. The regulations he draws from Paul are practical limits that preserve peace and order.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley permits speaking in tongues only when it proves personally beneficial in a person's private prayer. He does not extend this permission to public worship, limiting the practice strictly to private devotion where it may edify the individual alone.