1 Corinthians 14:20 “Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, b…”

1 Corinthians 14:20

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

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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

World English Bible

Brothers, don’t be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature.

American Standard Version

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

Geneva Bible 1599

Brethren, be not children in vnderstanding, but as concerning maliciousnes be children, but in vnderstanding be of a ripe age.

Darby Translation

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

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;

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.

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Cross references

“not”

1 Corinthians 13:11 Romans 16:19 2 Peter 3:18 Philippians 1:9 Psalm 119:99 Hebrews 6:1–3

1 Corinthians 13:11 · BSB

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I set aside childish ways.

Romans 16:19 · BSB

Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.

2 Peter 3:18 · BSB

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Philippians 1:9 · BSB

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,

Psalm 119:99 · BSB

I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.

Hebrews 6:1–3 · BSB

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God,

“malice”

1 Peter 2:2 Matthew 18:3 Mark 10:15 Matthew 11:25 Psalm 131:1 Psalm 131:2

1 Peter 2:2 · BSB

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

Matthew 18:3 · BSB

“Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Mark 10:15 · BSB

Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Matthew 11:25 · BSB

At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

Psalm 131:1 · BSB

My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty. I do not aspire to great things or matters too lofty for me.

Psalm 131:2 · BSB

Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.

“men”

1 Corinthians 2:6 Philippians 3:15

1 Corinthians 2:6 · BSB

Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.

Philippians 3:15 · BSB

All of us who are mature should embrace this point of view. And if you think differently about some issue, God will reveal this to you as well.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

19But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

21It is written in the Law: “By strange tongues and foreign lips I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to Me, says the Lord.”

Read 1 Corinthians 14