1 Corinthians 14:5

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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)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.
• 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.

Context of 1 Corinthians 14:5

3But 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. I 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. 6Brothers and sisters, it wouldn’t do you any good if I came to you speaking in other languages, unless I explained revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or doctrine to you. 7Musical instruments like the flute or harp produce sounds. If there is no difference in the notes, how can a person tell what tune is being played?

1 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 12:28In the church God has appointed first apostles, next prophets, third teachers, then those who perform miracles, then those who have the gift of healing, then those who help others, those who are managers, and those who can speak in a number of languages.
• 1 Corinthians 13:4Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn’t jealous. It doesn’t sing its own praises. It isn’t arrogant.
• Numbers 11:28So Joshua, son of Nun, who had been Moses’ assistant ever since he was a young man, spoke up and said, “Stop them, sir!”
• 1 Corinthians 14:1Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially the gift of speaking what God has revealed.
• 1 Corinthians 14:12In the same way, since you’re eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in them so that you help the church grow.
• 1 Corinthians 12:10Another can work miracles. Another can speak what God has revealed. Another can tell the difference between spirits. Another can speak in different kinds of languages. Another can interpret languages.

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

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

In the dictionaries

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

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