English Standard Version
1 Corinthians 14:5
5Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
1 Corinthians 14:5 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
- New International Version (NIV)I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.
- New King James Version (NKJV)I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
- New Living Translation (NLT)I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you could all prophesy. For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened.
Context of 1 Corinthians 14:5
3On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. 6Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 7If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played?
Read all of 1 Corinthians 141 Corinthians 14:5 word by word
Θέλω δὲ πάντας ὑμᾶς λαλεῖν γλώσσαις, μᾶλλον δὲ ἵνα προφητεύητε· μείζων δὲ ὁ προφητεύων ἢ ὁ λαλῶν γλώσσαις ἐκτὸς εἰ μὴ διερμηνεύῃ, ἵνα ἡ ἐκκλησία οἰκοδομὴν λάβῃ.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·δέde · thenG1161
- I wouldθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
- that yeσύsu · youG4771
- allπᾶςpas · allG3956
- spakeλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
- with tonguesγλῶσσαglōssa · tongueG1100
- ratherμᾶλλονmallon · moreG3123
- thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
- ye prophesiedπροφητεύωprophēteuō · to prophesyG4395
- forγάρgar · forG1063
- greaterμέγαςmegas · greatG3173
- he thatὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- thanἤē · orG2228
- exceptἐκτόςektos · outside/exceptG1622
- ·εἰei · if: notG1487
- ·μήmē · notG3361
- he interpretδιερμηνεύωdiermēneuō · to interpretG1329
- the churchἐκκλησίαekklēsia · assemblyG1577
- may receiveλαμβάνωlambanō · to takeG2983
- edifyingοἰκοδομήoikodomē · buildingG3619
Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 14:5
- 1 Corinthians 12:28And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant
- Numbers 11:28And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, "My lord Moses, stop them."
- 1 Corinthians 14:1Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.
- 1 Corinthians 14:12So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
- 1 Corinthians 12:10to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 14:5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5I would that ye all spake with tongues - The word does not so much imply a wish or desire, as a command or permission. As if he had said: I do not restrain you to prophesying or teaching though I prefer that; but I give you full permission to speak in Hebrew whenever it is proper, and when one is present who can interpret for the edification of the Church, provided yourselves have not that gift, though you understand the language. The apostle said tongue…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 5I would that ye all spake with tongues - “It is an important endowment, and is not, in its place, to be undervalued. It maybe of great service in the cause of truth, and if properly regulated, and not abused, I would rejoice if these extraordinary endowments were conferred on all. I have no envy against anyone who possesses it; no opposition to the endowment; but I wish that it should not be overvalued; and would wish to exalt into proper estimation the…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-25After highlighting the supreme importance of love (chapter 13), Paul discusses spiritual gifts again. He defines their value by how much they help others, which reflects love (chapter 13). With this in mind, Paul compares the overvalued gift of speaking in tongues with the more helpful gift of prophecy.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. Translate, "Now I wish you all to speak with tongues (so far am I from thus speaking through having any objection to tongues), but rather IN ORDER THAT (as my ulterior and higher wish for you) ye should prophesy." Tongues must therefore mean languages, not ecstatic, unintelligible rhapsodie (as Neander fancied): for Paul could never "wish" for the latter in their behalf. greater--because more useful. except he interpret--the unknown tongue which he…Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Corinthians 14:5
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries