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

1Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially the gift of speaking what God has revealed. 2When a person speaks in another language, he doesn’t speak to people but to God. No one understands him. His spirit is speaking mysteries. But when a person speaks what God has revealed, he speaks to people to help them grow, to encourage them, and to comfort them. 4When a person speaks in another language, he helps himself grow. But when a person speaks what God has revealed, he helps the church grow. 5I wish that all of you could speak in other languages, but especially that you could speak what God has revealed. The person who speaks what God has revealed is more important than the person who speaks in other languages. This is true unless he can interpret what he says to help the church grow.

1 Corinthians 14:3 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Butδέde · thenG1161
• he thatὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• prophesiethπροφητεύωprophēteuō · to prophesyG4395
• speakethλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
• unto menἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
• edificationοἰκοδομήoikodomē · buildingG3619
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• exhortationπαράκλησιςparaklēsis · encouragementG3874
• comfortπαραμυθίαparamuthia · comfortG3889

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 14:3

• 1 Corinthians 14:4When a person speaks in another language, he helps himself grow. But when a person speaks what God has revealed, he helps the church grow.
• 1 Corinthians 8:1Now, concerning food offered to false gods: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes people arrogant, but love builds them up.
• 1 Corinthians 10:23Someone may say, “I’m allowed to do anything,” but not everything is helpful. I’m allowed to do anything, but not everything encourages growth.
• Acts 9:31Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace. The number of people increased as people lived in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
• Romans 14:19So let’s pursue those things which bring peace and which are good for each other.
• Romans 15:2We should all be concerned about our neighbor and the good things that will build his faith.
• Ephesians 4:12Their purpose is to prepare God’s people to serve and to build up the body of Christ.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11Therefore, encourage each other and strengthen one another as you are doing.
• 1 Timothy 1:4and occupying themselves with myths and endless genealogies. These myths and genealogies raise a lot of questions rather than promoting God’s plan, which centers in faith.
• Jude 1:20Dear friends, use your most holy faith to grow. Pray with the Holy Spirit’s help.
• Luke 3:18With many other encouraging words, he told the Good News to the people.
• Acts 13:15After reading from Moses’ Teachings and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders sent ⌞a message⌟ to Paul and Barnabas. The message said, “Brothers, if you have any words of encouragement for the people, feel free to speak.”
• Acts 14:22They strengthened the disciples in these cities and encouraged the disciples to remain faithful. Paul and Barnabas told them, “We must suffer a lot to enter God’s kingdom.”
• Acts 15:32Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, spoke a long time to encourage and strengthen the believers.
• Romans 12:8If it is encouraging others, devote yourself to giving encouragement. If it is sharing, be generous. If it is leadership, lead enthusiastically. If it is helping people in need, help them cheerfully.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:3When we encouraged you, we didn’t use unethical schemes, corrupt practices, or deception.

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