1 Corinthians 14:20

Amplified Bible

Brothers and sisters, do not be children [immature, childlike] in your thinking; be infants in [matters of] evil [completely innocent and inexperienced], but in your minds be mature [adults].

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
Brothers and sisters, don't think like children. In evil things be like babies, but in your thinking you should be like full-grown adults.

Revised Standard Version
Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; be babes in evil, but in thinking be mature.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Brethre be not chyldre in witte. How be it as cocerninge maliciousnes be chyldre: but in witte be perfet.

Hebrew Names Version
Brothers, don't be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature.

International Standard Version
Brothers, stop beingdo not be">[fn] children in your thinking. In evil be infants, but in thinking be adults.Psalm 131:2; Matthew 11:25; 18:3; 19:14; Romans 16:19; 1 Corinthians 3:1; Ephesians 4:14; Hebrews 5:12-13; 1 Peter 2:2;">[xr]

New American Standard Bible
Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.

New Century Version
Brothers and sisters, do not think like children. In evil things be like babies, but in your thinking you should be like adults.

Update Bible Version
Brothers, don't be children in mind: yet in malice be babes, but in mind be men.

Webster's Bible Translation
Brethren, be not children in understanding: yet in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

English Standard Version
Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

World English Bible
Brothers, don't be children in mind, yet in malice be babies, but in mind be men.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Brethren, be not children in understanding: in wickedness be ye as infants, but in understanding be ye grown men.

Weymouth's New Testament
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.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Britheren, nyle ye be maad children in wittis, but in malice be ye children; but in wittis be ye parfit.

English Revised Version
Brethren, be not children in mind: howbeit in malice be ye babes, but in mind be men.

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

Contemporary English Version
My friends, stop thinking like children. Think like mature people and be as innocent as tiny babies.

American Standard Version
Brethren, be not children in mind: yet in malice be ye babes, but in mind be men.

Bible in Basic English
My brothers, do not be children in mind: in evil be as little children, but in mind be of full growth.

Complete Jewish Bible
Brothers, don't be children in your thinking. In evil, be like infants; but in your thinking, be grown-up.

Darby Translation
Brethren, be not children in [your] minds, but in malice be babes; but in [your] minds be grown [men].

Etheridge Translation
MY brethren, be not children in your minds, but in evils be you babes, and in your minds be perfect.

Murdock Translation
My brethren, be ye not children in your thoughts; but to evil things be ye infants; and in your thoughts be men.

King James Version (1611)
Brethren, bee not children in vnderstanding: how be it, in malice be yee children, but in vnderstanding be men.

New Living Translation
Dear brothers and sisters, don't be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind.

New Life Bible
Christian brothers, do not be like children in your thinking. Be full-grown, but be like children in not knowing how to sin.

New Revised Standard
Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking; rather, be infants in evil, but in thinking be adults.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Brethren, be not children in vnderstanding, but as concerning maliciousnes be children, but in vnderstanding be of a ripe age.

George Lamsa Translation
My brethren, be not like infants in your intelligence, only to evil things be like children, but in your understanding be mature.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Brethren! do not become children, in your understandings; but, in baseness, become babes, while, in your understandings, ye become, full-grown.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Brethren, do not become children in sense. But in malice be children: and in sense be perfect.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Brethren, be not chyldren in wytte: Howbeit, as concerning maliciousnesse, be chyldren: but in wytte, be perfect.

Good News Translation
Do not be like children in your thinking, my friends; be children so far as evil is concerned, but be grown up in your thinking.

Christian Standard Bible®
Brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your thinking, but be infants in regard to evil and adult in your thinking.

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

Lexham English Bible
Brothers, do not become children in your understanding, but with respect to wickedness be as a child, and in your understanding be mature.

Literal Translation
Brothers, do not be children in your minds, but in malice be like infants, and in your minds be mature.

Young's Literal Translation
Brethren, become not children in the understanding, but in the evil be ye babes, and in the understanding become ye perfect;

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Brethren be not children in vnderstondinge, howbeit as concerninge maliciousnes be childre, but in vnderstondinge be parfecte.

Mace New Testament (1729)
Brethren, be not childish in understanding: be as innocent as babes, but use your understanding like men.

THE MESSAGE
To be perfectly frank, I'm getting exasperated with your infantile thinking. How long before you grow up and use your head—your adult head? It's all right to have a childlike unfamiliarity with evil; a simple no is all that's needed there. But there's far more to saying yes to something. Only mature and well-exercised intelligence can save you from falling into gullibility. It's written in Scripture that God said, In strange tongues and from the mouths of strangers I will preach to this people, but they'll neither listen nor believe. So where does it get you, all this speaking in tongues no one understands? It doesn't help believers, and it only gives unbelievers something to gawk at. Plain truth-speaking, on the other hand, goes straight to the heart of believers and doesn't get in the way of unbelievers. If you come together as a congregation and some unbelieving outsiders walk in on you as you're all praying in tongues, unintelligible to each other and to them, won't they assume you've taken leave of your senses and get out of there as fast as they can? But if some unbelieving outsiders walk in on a service where people are speaking out God's truth, the plain words will bring them up against the truth and probe their hearts. Before you know it, they're going to be on their faces before God, recognizing that God is among you.

New English Translation
Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking. Instead, be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

New King James Version
Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.

Simplified Cowboy Version
Listen, amigos. Don't get all childish on me. You can be as innocent as a newborn baby and still think like a grown man.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.

Legacy Standard Bible
Brothers, do not be children in your thinking; rather in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.

Contextual Overview

¹⁵Then what am I to do? I will pray with the spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me] and I will pray with the mind [using words I understand]; I will sing with the spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me] and I will sing with the mind [using words I understand]. ¹⁶Otherwise if you bless [and give thanks to God] in the spirit only, how will any outsider or someone who is not gifted [in spiritual matters] say the "Amen" [of agreement] to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? ¹⁷You are giving thanks well enough [in a way that God is glorified], but the other person [who does not understand you] is not edified [and spiritually strengthened since he cannot join in your thanksgiving]. ¹⁸I thank God that I speak in [unknown] tongues more than all of you; ¹⁹nevertheless, in public worship I would rather say five understandable words in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue [which others cannot understand]. ²⁰Brothers and sisters, do not be children [immature, childlike] in your thinking; be infants in [matters of] evil [completely innocent and inexperienced], but in your minds be mature [adults].

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

not: 1 Corinthians 3:1, 1 Corinthians 3:2, 1 Corinthians 13:11, Psalms 119:99, Isaiah 11:3, Romans 16:19, Ephesians 4:14, Ephesians 4:15, Philippians 1:9, Hebrews 5:12, Hebrews 5:13, Hebrews 6:1-3, 2 Peter 3:18

malice: Psalms 131:1, Psalms 131:2, Matthew 11:25, Matthew 18:3, Matthew 19:4, Mark 10:15, 1 Peter 2:2

but: Psalms 119:99

men: Gr. perfect, or, of a ripe age, 1 Corinthians 2:6, Philippians 3:15

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 13:7 - young Ezra 8:18 - a man of understanding Nehemiah 4:13 - Therefore Esther 1:22 - according Esther 5:4 - the banquet Job 34:2 - General Job 36:4 - perfect Proverbs 13:16 - prudent Ecclesiastes 10:10 - wisdom Isaiah 46:8 - Remember Jeremiah 4:22 - they are wise Ezekiel 1:10 - the face of a man Matthew 10:16 - wise Matthew 19:14 - for Mark 10:14 - for Mark 13:14 - let him Luke 9:47 - took Luke 18:16 - for Acts 10:46 - speak 1 Corinthians 8:1 - touching 1 Corinthians 10:7 - be 1 Corinthians 10:15 - General 1 Corinthians 16:13 - quit Ephesians 4:13 - unto a Ephesians 4:31 - with Ephesians 5:15 - walk Colossians 4:12 - that 1 Peter 2:1 - malice 2 Peter 1:5 - knowledge Revelation 4:7 - as

Cross-References

Genesis 9:26
He also said, "Blessed be the LORD, The God of Shem; And let Canaan be his servant.

Genesis 14:3
All of these [kings] joined together [as allies] in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Sea of Salt).

Genesis 14:4
Twelve years they had served Chedorlaomer [the most powerful king in the invading confederacy], but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.

Genesis 14:5
In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the [three] kings who were with him attacked and subdued the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, and the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim,

Genesis 14:6
and the Horites in their mountainous country of Seir, as far as El-paran, which is on the border of the wilderness.

Genesis 14:9
against Chedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal king of Goiim and Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five.

Genesis 14:17
Then after Abram's return from the defeat (slaughter) of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley).

Genesis 14:19
And Melchizedek blessed Abram and said, "Blessed (joyful, favored) be Abram by God Most High, Creator and Possessor of heaven and earth;

Genesis 24:27
He said, "Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not denied His lovingkindness and His truth to my master. As for me, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brothers."

Genesis 28:22
"This stone which I have set up as a pillar (monument, memorial) will be God's house [a sacred place to me], and of everything that You give me I will give the tenth to You [as an offering to signify my gratitude and dependence on You]."

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Brethren, be not children in understanding,.... There are some things in children in which it is reproachful for believers to be like them; as nonproficiency in knowledge, want of capacity to receive, bear, and digest strong meat; levity, fickleness, and inconstancy, unskilfulness in the word, deficiency of knowledge, want of understanding, not of things natural, but spiritual and evangelical; which is the more aggravated, since their understandings were opened and enlightened; an understanding was given them; the Spirit of God, as a spirit of understanding, was bestowed on them; they had the Scriptures, which are able to make wise unto salvation, and the man of God perfect; and also the ministers of the Gospel to explain divine truths to them; and many had been a long time in the school of Christ, and might have been teachers of others; and yet; after all, were children in understanding, and needed to be taught the first principles of the oracles of God. The apostle here has chiefly reference to the gift of speaking with tongues, these Corinthians were so desirous of; which when they had it, was only to talk like children; and for them to prefer it to other gifts, which were more useful and beneficial, discovered their judgment to be but the judgment of children; and if they desired this, and made use of it for ostentation, it showed a childish vanity, from which the apostle here dissuades:

howbeit in malice be ye children: in other things it is commendable to imitate children, and be like them; as in innocence and harmlessness of conversation; to be meek, modest, and humble, free from pride and vain glory; to be without guile and hypocrisy, without rancour and bitterness, envying and malice, but tender hearted, and ready to forgive. This the apostle recommends:

but in understanding be men; or "perfect", of ripe and full age, who have their senses exercised to discern between good and evil, גבר "a man", says Aben Ezra p, in our language, signifies מלא דעת, "one full of knowledge", as in Exodus 10:11. It is not perfection of justification that is here meant, for babes in Christ are as perfect in this sense as grown men; nor a perfection of sanctification, for there is no such thing as this in any in this life; there is a perfection of sanctification in Christ, and of parts in everyone that is a new creature; and as that denotes sincerity and uprightness, it is in all that have known the grace of God in truth; but then these are each of them as true of new born babes, young converts, as of older Christians, and strong men: but of knowledge and understanding in divine things; which though it is imperfect in the best, yet in some it is in greater perfection than in others; who may, in a comparative sense, be said to be perfect, or men of full age, who are arrived to a considerable ripeness and maturity of spiritual knowledge; and this is what believers should be pressing after, and desirous of, and make use of all proper methods, such as reading, hearing, and praying, to attain unto.

p Comment. in Psal. xxxvii. 23.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Brethren, be not children in understanding - Be not childish; do not behave like little children. They admire, and are astonished at what is striking, novel, and what may be of no real utility. They are pleased with anything that will amuse them, and at little things that afford them play and pastime. So your admiration of a foreign language and of the ability to speak it, is of as little solid value as the common sports and plays of boys. This, says Doddridge, is an admirable stroke of oratory, and adapted to bring down their pride by showing them that those things on which they were disposed to value themselves were “childish.” It is sometimes well to appeal to Christians in this manner, and to show them that what they are engaged in is “unworthy” the dignity of the understanding - unfit to occupy the time and attention of an immortal mind. Much, alas! very much of that which engages the attention of Christians is just as unworthy of the dignity of the mind, and of their immortal nature, as were the aims and desires which the apostle rebuked among the Christians at Corinth. Much that pertains to dress, to accomplishment, to living, to employment, to amusement, to conversation, will appear, when we come to die, to have been like the playthings of “children;” and we shall feel that the immortal mind has been employed, and the time wasted, and the strength exhausted in that which was foolish and puerile.

Howbeit in malice be ye children - This is one of Paul’s most happy turns of expression and of sentiment. He had just told them that in one respect they ought not to be children. Yet, as if this would appear to be speaking lightly of children - and Paul would not speak lightly of anyone, even of a child - he adds, that in “another” respect it would be well to be like them - nay, not only like children, but like “infants.” The phrase “be ye children,” here, does not express the force of the original νηπιάζετε nēpiazete. It means, “be infants,” and is emphatic, and was used, evidently, by the apostle of design. The meaning may be thus expressed. “Your admiration of foreign languages is like the sports and plays of “childhood.” In this respect be not children (παιδίᾳ paidia); be men! Lay aside such childish things. Act worthy of the “understanding” which God has given you. I have mentioned children. Yet I would not speak unkindly or with contempt even of them. “In one respect” you may imitate them. Nay, you should not only be like “children,” that are somewhat advanced in years, but like “infants.” Be as free from malice, from any ill-will toward others, from envy, and every improper passion, as they are.” This passage, therefore, accords with the repeated declaration of the Saviour, that in order to enter into heaven, it was needful that we should become as little children; Matthew 18:3.

Be men - Margin, “Perfect, or of a riper age” (τέλειοι teleioi). The word means full-grown men. Act like them whose understandings are mature and ripe.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 20. Be not children in understanding — There are three words here to which we must endeavour to affix the proper sense.

1. παιδια signifies children in general, but particularly such as are grown up, so as to be fit to send to school in order to receive instruction;

2. νηπιος, from νη, not, and ειπω, I speak, signifies an infant; one that cannot yet speak, and is in the lowest stage of infancy;

3. τελειοι, from τελεω, I complete or perfect, signifies those who are arrived at perfect maturity, both of growth and understanding. We shall now see the apostle's meaning: Brethren, be not, παιδια, as little children, just beginning to go to school, in order to learn the first elements of their mother tongue, and with an understanding only sufficient to apprehend those elements.

In malice — κακια, In wickedness, νηπιαζετε, be ye as infants, who neither speak, do, nor purpose evil.

But in understanding — τελειοι γινεσθε, Be ye perfect men, whose vigour of body, and energy of mind show a complete growth, and a well cultivated understanding.