King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 14:25 Mean?

1 Corinthians 14:25 in the King James Version says “And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report tha... — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

1 Corinthians 14:25 · KJV


Context

23

If 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?

24

But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

25

And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

26

How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

27

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 interpret. two: by two or three sentences separately


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest—Greek ta krypta tēs kardias autou phanera ginetai (τὰ κρυπτὰ τῆς καρδίας αὐτοῦ φανερὰ γίνεται, "the hidden things of his heart become manifest"). Prophetic preaching, illuminated by the Spirit, exposes the hearer's inner life. And so falling down on his face he will worship God—the result: pesōn epi prosōpon proskynēsei tō theō (πεσὼν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον προσκυνήσει τῷ θεῷ, "falling on [his] face, he will worship God").

And report that God is in you of a truth (ontos ho theos en hymin estin, ὄντως ὁ θεὸς ἐν ὑμῖν ἐστιν, "truly God is among you"). This echoes Isaiah 45:14 (LXX), where Gentiles recognize God's presence in Israel. True worship—intelligible, Spirit-filled proclamation—makes God's presence undeniable. Tongues impress no one; prophecy convicts and converts.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Paul's vision: corporate worship should be so transparently God-filled that outsiders encounter divine reality, not human spectacle. This happened through intelligible proclamation that pierced hearts (Acts 2:37).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does prophecy reveal 'the secrets of the heart'?
  2. What's the evangelistic power of worship where 'God is in you of a truth'?
  3. How can we cultivate worship that convicts and converts unbelievers?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 25 words
καὶ1 of 25

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οὕτως2 of 25

so

G3779

in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)

τὰ3 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κρυπτὰ4 of 25

the secrets

G2927

concealed, i.e., private

τῆς5 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καρδίας6 of 25

heart

G2588

the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle

αὐτοῦ7 of 25

of his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

φανερὰ8 of 25

manifest

G5318

shining, i.e., apparent (literally or figuratively); neuter (as adverb) publicly, externally

γίνεται9 of 25

are

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

καὶ10 of 25

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οὕτως11 of 25

so

G3779

in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)

πεσὼν12 of 25

falling down

G4098

to fall (literally or figuratively)

ἐπὶ13 of 25

on

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

πρόσωπον14 of 25

his face

G4383

the front (as being towards view), i.e., the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person

προσκυνήσει15 of 25

he will worship

G4352

to fawn or crouch to, i.e., (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore)

τῷ16 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεὸς17 of 25

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἀπαγγέλλων18 of 25

and report

G518

to announce

ὅτι19 of 25

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

20 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεὸς21 of 25

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ὄντως22 of 25

of a truth

G3689

really

ἐν23 of 25

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ὑμῖν24 of 25

you

G5213

to (with or by) you

ἐστιν25 of 25

is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Corinthians 14:25 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Corinthians 14:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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