1 Corinthians
King James Version (KJV)
1 Corinthians 14:20
“Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.”
King James Version (KJV)
1 Corinthians 14:20 Context
17For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. 18I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. 20Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. 21In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. 22Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. 23If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
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Other Translations
Brethren, bee not children in vnderstanding: how be it, in malice be yee children, but in vnderstanding be men.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan
Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
- New American Standard Version (1995)
Brethren, be not children in mind: yet in malice be ye babes, but in mind be men.
- American Standard Version (1901)
My brothers, do not be children in mind: in evil be as little children, but in mind be of full growth.
- Basic English Bible
Brethren, be not children in [your] minds, but in malice be babes; but in [your] minds be grown [men].
- Darby Bible
Brethren, be not children in understanding: yet in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
- Webster's Bible
Brethren, do not prove yourselves to be children in your minds. As regards evil, indeed, be utter babes, but as regards your minds prove yourselves to be men of ripe years.
- Weymouth Bible
Brothers, don't be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature.
- World English Bible
Britheren, nyle ye be maad children in wittis, but in malice be ye children; but in wittis be ye parfit.
- Wycliffe Bible
Brethren, become not children in the understanding, but in the evil be ye babes, and in the understanding become ye perfect;
- Youngs Literal Bible
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan
Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
- New American Standard Version (1995)
Brethren, be not children in mind: yet in malice be ye babes, but in mind be men.
- American Standard Version (1901)
My brothers, do not be children in mind: in evil be as little children, but in mind be of full growth.
- Basic English Bible
Brethren, be not children in [your] minds, but in malice be babes; but in [your] minds be grown [men].
- Darby Bible
Brethren, be not children in understanding: yet in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
- Webster's Bible
Brethren, do not prove yourselves to be children in your minds. As regards evil, indeed, be utter babes, but as regards your minds prove yourselves to be men of ripe years.
- Weymouth Bible
Brothers, don't be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature.
- World English Bible
Britheren, nyle ye be maad children in wittis, but in malice be ye children; but in wittis be ye parfit.
- Wycliffe Bible
Brethren, become not children in the understanding, but in the evil be ye babes, and in the understanding become ye perfect;
- Youngs Literal Bible
Bible commentary
Wesley's Notes for 1 Corinthians 14:20
14:20 Be not children in understanding - This is an admirable stroke of true oratory! to bring down the height of their spirits, by representing that wherein they prided themselves most, as mere folly and childishness. In wickedness be ye infants - Have all the innocence of that tender age. But in understanding be ye grown men - Knowing religion was not designed to destroy any of our natural faculties, but to exalt and improve them, our reason in particular.
People's Bible Notes for 1 Corinthians 14:20
1Co 14:20 Be not children in understanding. Use manly good sense and judgment in the church. To babble in an unknown tongue is like a child. Howbeit in malice be ye children. To vainly choose a course that would merely excite wonder, and not edify, would seem to partake of malice rather than love.