1 Corinthians 14:20

Translations

Modern

Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.

Traditional

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

Literal

Brothers, do not be children in the minds. But in evil be little children; and in thinking be mature.

Latin

Fratres, nolite pueri effici sensibus, sed malitia parvuli estote: sensibus autem perfecti estote.

Original

Greek

English

Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.

Notes

1 Corinthians 14:20

To understand these matters maturely, consider the purpose of spiritual gifts. Do not treat them as ends for personal enjoyment.

1 Corinthians 14:1–25

After highlighting the supreme importance of love (chapter 13), Paul discusses spiritual gifts again. He defines their value by how much they help others, which reflects love (chapter 13). With this in mind, Paul compares the overvalued gift of speaking in tongues with the more helpful gift of prophecy.

1 Corinthians 12:1–14:40

The church in Corinth focused too much on the gift of speaking in tongues (see 14:1–25, 27; compare the lists in 12:8–10, 28, where Paul lists tongues last). Paul offers advice to correct their understanding of the value and use of spiritual gifts.

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) Pure Worship Spiritual Maturity The Gift of Prophecy The Holy Spirit’s Work

Related verses

1 Peter 2:2
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
1 Corinthians 13:11
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I set aside childish ways.
Romans 16:19
Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.
Matthew 18:3
“Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Ephesians 4:14–15
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming.
1 Corinthians 2:6
Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
Philippians 1:9
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
Mark 10:15
Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Psalm 119:99
I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.
Philippians 3:15
All of us who are mature should embrace this point of view. And if you think differently about some issue, God will reveal this to you as well.
Hebrews 5:12–13
Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food!

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Charismata Church Meetings First Letter to the Corinthians Music Mystery Prophecy

Topics

Being Naive Children: Figurative Christian Maturity Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Compared To Saints: Little Children Language: Speaking in Inspired |Tongues| Forbidden Malice: Forbidden Malice: General Scriptures Concerning Maturity Preaching: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Righteous: Little Children Simplicity: should be Exhibited: Concerning Malice Wisdom: Spiritual: Unclassified Scriptures Relating to

1 Corinthians 14:20

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