1 Corinthians 14:3

1 Corinthians 14:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
• New International Version (NIV)But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.
• English Standard Version (ESV)On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.

Context of 1 Corinthians 14:3

1Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit. But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort. 4The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified.

1 Corinthians 14:3 word by word

ὁ δὲ προφητεύων ἀνθρώποις λαλεῖ οἰκοδομὴν καὶ παράκλησιν καὶ παραμυθίαν.Read the interlinear

• Butδέde · thenG1161
• he whoὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• prophesiesπροφητεύωprophēteuō · to prophesyG4395
• speaksλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
• to menἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
• edificationοἰκοδομήoikodomē · buildingG3619
• ·καίkai · andG2532
• encouragementπαράκλησιςparaklēsis · encouragementG3874
• comfortπαραμυθίαparamuthia · comfortG3889

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 14:3

• 1 Corinthians 14:4The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
• 1 Corinthians 8:1Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
• 1 Corinthians 10:23“Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying.
• Acts 9:31Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced a time of peace. It grew in strength and numbers, living in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit.
• Romans 14:19So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
• Romans 15:2Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
• Ephesians 4:12to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.
• 1 Timothy 1:4or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith.
• Jude 1:20But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
• Luke 3:18With these and many other exhortations, John proclaimed the good news to the people.
• Acts 13:15After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders sent word to them: “Brothers, if you have a word of encouragement for the people, please speak.”
• Acts 14:22strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
• Acts 15:32Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.
• Romans 12:8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:3For our appeal does not arise from deceit or ulterior motives or trickery.

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 14:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3But he that prophesieth - The person who has the gift of teaching is much more useful to the Church than he is who has only the gift of tongues, because he speaks to the profit of men: viz. to their edification, by the Scriptures he expounds; to their exhortation, by what he teaches; and to their comfort, by his revelation. - Whitby. I must here refer to my sermon on this text, intitled, "The Christian Prophet and his Work," in which I have endeavored to…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3But he that prophesieth - See the note at 1 Corinthians 14:1. He that speaks under the influence of inspiration in the common language of his hearers. This seems to be the difference between those who spoke in foreign languages and those who prophesied. Both were under the influence of the Holy Spirit; both might speak the same truths; both might occupy an equally important and necessary place in the church; but the language of the one was intelligible to…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2-4The issue with speaking in tongues is that listeners cannot easily understand the message. However, the gift of prophecy is clear and helpful. It is a message from God that strengthens, encourages, and comforts those who hear it.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. But--on the other hand. edification--of which the two principal species given are "exhortation" to remove sluggishness, "comfort" or consolation to remove sadness [Bengel]. Omit "to."Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 14:3

• Language
• Preaching
• Tongues (the Gift)

In the dictionaries

• Confusion
• Desire
• Edification
• Except
• Pipe
• Profit
• Tongues, Gift of
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Exhortation
• Holy Spirit

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