1 Corinthians 14:13

13 The one who has the gift of speaking in a different language should pray for the gift to interpret what is spoken.

1 Corinthians 14:13 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 14:13

Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue
The Hebrew, or any other, the gift of speaking with which is bestowed upon him:

pray that he may interpret;
that he may have also the gift of interpretation of tongues; for as has been before hinted, these two gifts were distinct; and a man might have the one, and not the other; a man might speak in an unknown tongue, so as to understand himself, what he said, and be edified, and yet not be capable of translating it at once into the common language of the people; and if he could not do this, he would not excel in his gift to the edification of the church; whereas if he could interpret he would, and therefore, above all things, he should pray to the Father of lights, the giver of every good and perfect gift, that he might be furnished with this also.

1 Corinthians 14:13 In-Context

11 But unless I understand the meaning of what someone says to me, I will be a foreigner to him, and he will be a foreigner to me.
12 It is the same with you. Since you want spiritual gifts very much, seek most of all to have the gifts that help the church grow stronger.
13 The one who has the gift of speaking in a different language should pray for the gift to interpret what is spoken.
14 If I pray in a different language, my spirit is praying, but my mind does nothing.
15 So what should I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.