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

2For the one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people, but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. 3But the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification, exhortation, and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but rather that you would prophesy; and greater is the one who prophesies than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edification. 6But now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophecy, or of teaching?

1 Corinthians 14:4 word by word

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

• speaksλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
• in a tongueγλῶσσαglōssa · tongueG1100
• edifiesοἰκοδομέωoikodomeō · to buildG3618
• himselfἑαυτοῦheautou · themselfG1438
• prophesiesπροφητεύωprophēteuō · to prophesyG4395
• the churchἐκκλησίαekklēsia · assemblyG1577

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 14:4

• 1 Corinthians 14:14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive.
• 1 Corinthians 14:3But the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification, exhortation, and consolation.

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