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

1 CORINTHIANS 14:20KJV
Know the Bible

1 Corinthians 14:20 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 14:20 mean?

1 Corinthians 14:20 tells believers not to be immature in their thinking, but to be innocent when it comes to evil and mature in their understanding. Paul is urging the church to grow up in how they think about spiritual matters, but to remain childlike in their attitude toward wrongdoing.

Paul is writing to the Christians in Corinth, addressing confusion and disorder in their gatherings, especially about spiritual gifts. He calls them "brethren" to show warmth, then contrasts two areas: in "malice" (wrongdoing), they should be as innocent as children, but in "understanding," they should aim for maturity. This sets up the rest of the chapter, where he encourages thoughtful, orderly worship.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 14:20

  • παιδία (paidia, G3813): This word means "children" and is used for being immature or inexperienced, especially in understanding. Paul uses it to say believers should not be childish in their thinking.
  • κακία (kakia, G2549): This word means "malice" or "evil." Paul says to be like children regarding malice, meaning innocent or free from harmful intent.
  • τέλειοι (teleioi, G5046): This word is translated "men" in the KJV, but it means "mature" or "complete." Paul is urging the Corinthians to aim for full-grown, thoughtful understanding, not just age or gender.

Why 1 Corinthians 14:20 matters

  • This verse clears up that Christian maturity is not about being naive or gullible, but about growing in wise, thoughtful understanding while keeping a pure heart toward others.
  • Paul’s contrast shows that spiritual growth involves both innocence (avoiding evil) and maturity (developing sound judgment), not just one or the other.
  • The verse helps set the tone for the rest of the chapter, where Paul encourages order and clarity in worship, reminding the church that spiritual gifts should build up everyone, not cause confusion.

Where else these words appear

“malice” Greek G2549 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
  • 1 Corinthians 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
  • Titus 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

“men” Greek G5046 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
  • Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
  • Hebrews 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

“children” Greek G3813 · used in 48 verses

  • Matthew 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
  • Mark 5:39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
  • Luke 2:27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,