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 one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. 4A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church. 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. 6Dear brothers and sisters, if I should come to you speaking in an unknown language, how would that help you? But if I bring you a revelation or some special knowledge or prophecy or teaching, that will be helpful. 7Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly, or no one will recognize the melody.

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 12:28Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages.
• 1 Corinthians 13:4Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud
• Numbers 11:28Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’ assistant since his youth, protested, “Moses, my master, make them stop!”
• 1 Corinthians 14:1Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy.
• 1 Corinthians 14:12And the same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church.
• 1 Corinthians 12:10He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said.

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