1 Corinthians 14

“Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.” Naming Follow keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.” The line’s distinctive content terms include comfort, edification, exhortation. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.

“He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.” The line’s distinctive content terms include edifieth, church, prophesieth. Its relationship to verses 3 and 5 shows what work it does in this passage.

“I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that…” The line’s distinctive content terms include tongues, church, edifying. Its relationship to verses 4 and 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.” The line’s distinctive content terms include kinds, signification, voices. Its relationship to verses 9 and 11 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.” Naming Even keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also…” The number five makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.” Naming Brethren keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that…” The verse names Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.” The line’s distinctive content terms include first, hold, peace. Its relationship to verses 29 and 31 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.” The line’s distinctive content terms include prophets, spirits, subject. Its relationship to verses 31 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the…” The line’s distinctive content terms include church, home, husbands. Its relationship to verses 34 and 36 shows what work it does in this passage.

“What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are…” The verse names Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.” The line’s distinctive content terms include ignorant. Its relationship to verses 37 and 39 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Let all things be done decently and in order.” The line’s distinctive content terms include decently, order. Its relationship to verses 39 shows what work it does in this passage.