Amplified Bible
1 Corinthians 14:4
4One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church [promotes growth in spiritual wisdom, devotion, holiness, and joy].
1 Corinthians 14:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
- New International Version (NIV)Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.
- New King James Version (NKJV)He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
Context of 1 Corinthians 14:4
2For one who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to people but to God; for no one understands him or catches his meaning, but by the Spirit he speaks mysteries [secret truths, hidden things]. 3But [on the other hand] the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification [to promote their spiritual growth] and [speaks words of] encouragement [to uphold and advise them concerning the matters of God] and [speaks words of] consolation [to compassionately comfort them]. One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church [promotes growth in spiritual wisdom, devotion, holiness, and joy]. 5Now I wish that all of you spoke in unknown tongues, but even more [I wish] that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater [and more useful] than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he translates or explains [what he says], so that the church may be edified [instructed, improved, strengthened]. 6Now, believers, if I come to you speaking in unknown tongues, how will I benefit you unless I also speak to you [clearly] either by revelation [revealing God’s mystery], or by knowledge [teaching about God], or by prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people], or by instruction [teaching precepts that develop spiritual maturity]?
Read all of 1 Corinthians 141 Corinthians 14:4 word by word
ὁ λαλῶν γλώσσῃ ἑαυτὸν οἰκοδομεῖ, ὁ δὲ προφητεύων ἐκκλησίαν οἰκοδομεῖ.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 14:4
- 1 Corinthians 14:14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive [because it does not understand what my spirit is praying].
- 1 Corinthians 14:3But [on the other hand] the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification [to promote their spiritual growth] and [speaks words of] encouragement [to uphold and advise them concerning the matters of God] and [speaks words of] consolation [to compassionately comfort them].
Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 14:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4He that speaketh in an unknown tongue - In the Hebrew for instance, the knowledge of the depth and power of which he has got by a Divine revelation, edifieth himself by that knowledge. But he that prophesieth - Has the gift of preaching. Edifieth the Church - Speaketh unto men to edification, exhortation, and comfort, 1 Corinthians 14:3.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4Edifieth himself - That is, the truths which are communicated to him by the Spirit, and which he utters in an unknown language, may be valuable, and may be the means of strengthening his faith, and building him up in the hopes of the gospel, but they can he of no use to others. His own holy affections might be excited by the truths which he would deliver, and the consciousness of possessing miraculous powers might excite his gratitude. And yet, as…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4The main purpose of spiritual gifts is to strengthen the whole church, not just to improve oneself (see 12:7; compare 8:1; 14:12).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. edifieth himself--as he understands the meaning of what the particular "tongue" expresses; but "the church," that is, the congregation, does not.Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Corinthians 14:4
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 14
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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