1 Corinthians 14:4

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

2If someone speaks in a different language, he is speaking only to God. The people who hear him do not understand his message. God's Spirit is causing him to speak about secret things. It does not help people. 3But if someone speaks a clear message from God, he helps the people who hear him. He helps them to become stronger as believers. He helps them to be happy and strong in their troubles. Anyone who speaks in a different language only helps himself. But a person who speaks a message from God helps the believers in the church to become strong. 5I would like all of you to speak in different kinds of languages. But even more, I want you to speak God's message clearly to people. Anyone who can speak a message from God is important in the church. He is more important than someone who speaks in different kinds of languages. That person only helps the church if someone can explain what he says. Only in that way will his message help the church to become stronger. 6My Christian friends, if I come to visit you, then I want to help you. But if I speak to you in languages that you do not understand, that will not help you at all. I would need to explain to you what God has shown to me. I would need to help you to understand something. I would need to speak a clear message from God, or teach you something. Only that would help you.

1 Corinthians 14:4 word by word

ὁ λαλῶν γλώσσῃ ἑαυτὸν οἰκοδομεῖ, ὁ δὲ προφητεύων ἐκκλησίαν οἰκοδομεῖ.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• He thatὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• speakethλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
• in anγλῶσσαglōssa · tongueG1100
• edifiethοἰκοδομέωoikodomeō · to buildG3618
• himselfἑαυτοῦheautou · themselfG1438
• butδέde · thenG1161
• prophesiethπροφητεύωprophēteuō · to prophesyG4395
• the churchἐκκλησίαekklēsia · assemblyG1577

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 14:4

• 1 Corinthians 14:14If I pray in a different language, only my spirit is praying. But I do not use my mind while I pray like that.
• 1 Corinthians 14:3But if someone speaks a clear message from God, he helps the people who hear him. He helps them to become stronger as believers. He helps them to be happy and strong in their troubles.

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

• Church
• Language
• Preaching
• Tongues (the Gift)

In the dictionaries

• Confusion
• Desire
• Edification
• Except
• Pipe
• Profit
• Tongues, Gift of
• Apostle
• Church
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the

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