1 Corinthians 14 3

1 Corinthians 14:3 kjv

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

1 Corinthians 14:3 nkjv

But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.

1 Corinthians 14:3 niv

But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.

1 Corinthians 14:3 esv

On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.

1 Corinthians 14:3 nlt

But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them.

1 Corinthians 14 verses

1 Corinthians 14 3 Meaning

The one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging, and comfort. This is the primary purpose and outcome of the gift of prophecy as it relates to the church community.

1 Corinthians 14 3 Context

1 Corinthians 14 deals with the issue of public worship and the use of spiritual gifts, particularly tongues and prophecy. The Corinthian church was experiencing disorder because of an overemphasis on speaking in tongues without proper interpretation or structure, leading to confusion and potential offense to outsiders. Paul seeks to correct this by prioritizing gifts that build up the church, like prophecy. Verse 3 clearly states the beneficial purpose of prophecy, contrasting it with the self-edification that speaking in tongues without interpretation can bring. The chapter’s overall goal is to establish orderly worship that glorifies God and edifies the believers.

1 Corinthians 14 3 Word Analysis

• "ὁ δὲ" (ho de): "but he" or "and he." Connects this statement with the previous comparison of speaking in tongues.
• "προφητεύων" (propheteuōn): Present participle of propheteuo, meaning "to prophesy." Refers to the act of speaking forth God's message.
  • Meaning: To speak forth inspired utterance from God.
  • Biblical Use: Prophets in the Old Testament spoke God's word, sometimes foretelling the future but primarily delivering God’s message for the present situation (e.g., Isaiah, Jeremiah). In the New Testament, prophecy involves inspired speech that edifies, exhorts, and consoles (1 Cor 14:3).
  • Contextual Significance: In contrast to the uncontrolled utterances of tongues, prophecy was an understandable form of communication from God.
• "λαλεῖ" (lalei): "speaks." Refers to verbal communication.
  • Meaning: To speak, utter, talk.
  • Biblical Use: Used broadly for any kind of speaking, including both divinely inspired and ordinary speech (Acts 1:16, Acts 2:4, Acts 11:1).
  • Contextual Significance: Emphasizes the verbal, audible nature of prophecy directed at people.
• "ἀνθρώποις" (anthrōpois): "to men" or "to people." Refers to human beings.
  • Meaning: Men, human beings, people.
  • Biblical Use: Denotes humanity in general (Gen 1:27, John 3:16).
  • Contextual Significance: Highlights that prophecy is a gift directed outward toward the gathered congregation, the community of believers.
• "λαλεῖ" (lalei): "speaks." (Repeated for emphasis on communication)
• "οἰκοδομὴν" (oikodomēn): Accusative case of oikodomia, from oikos ("house") and domeō ("to build").
  • Meaning: Edification, building up, structure.
  • Biblical Use: Metaphorically used to describe the spiritual growth and strengthening of individuals and the church community (Eph 4:12, Col 2:7).
  • Contextual Significance: This is the key outcome of prophecy described in this verse – the church is built up, strengthened in its faith and life.
• "καὶ" (kai): "and." Connects the following beneficial effects.
• "παράκλησιν" (paraklēsin): Accusative case of paraklēsis, from para ("beside") and kaleō ("to call").
  • Meaning: Exhortation, encouragement, comfort, appeal.
  • Biblical Use: Used for encouragement and comfort in distress (Rom 15:4), for appeals (2 Cor 8:4), and for exhortation to live a certain way (Heb 13:22).
  • Contextual Significance: Prophecy is meant to actively encourage believers in their faith and daily walk, perhaps spurring them on or bringing solace.
• "καὶ" (kai): "and." Connects the final beneficial effect.
• "τοῖς" (tois): "to the." Definite article.
• "ἀνθρώποις" (anthrōpois): "people" or "men." (Repeated for emphasis)
• "ἐστιν" (estin): "is." Third person singular present indicative of eimi ("to be").
• "παραμυθία" (paramythia): Accusative case of paramythia, from para ("beside") and mythos ("tale" or "discourse").
  • Meaning: Consolation, comfort, solace.
  • Biblical Use: Less common than paraklēsis, but also implies bringing comfort and soothing distress (Luke 2:25 uses the verb form paramytheomai). It focuses on easing grief or anxiety.
  • Contextual Significance: Prophecy offers comfort to the afflicted, a tender aspect of God's communication that addresses needs and worries.

1 Corinthians 14 3 Bonus Section

The Greek terms paraklēsis and paramythia, translated as exhortation/encouragement and comfort/consolation respectively, carry distinct but related meanings that highlight the holistic nature of prophetic utterance. Paraklēsis implies an active encouragement to do or be something, a calling alongside someone to spur them forward. Paramythia, on the other hand, leans more towards soothing, calming, and alleviating distress. This suggests that prophecy doesn't just motivate but also ministers to the hurts and fears of God's people. Together, they describe a word from God that is both invigorating and tender, calling believers to higher things while also supporting them in their present weaknesses. The parallel is often drawn with Jesus' own ministry: he encouraged his disciples, yet also comforted them in their sorrow, such as at the Last Supper.

1 Corinthians 14 3 Commentary

The verse clearly defines the constructive purpose of prophecy within the gathered church. Unlike glossolalia (speaking in tongues) which can primarily edify the speaker if uninterpreted (v. 4), prophecy, by its very nature as intelligible speech from God, builds up others. The triple benefit—edification (oikodomēn), exhortation (paraklēsin), and comfort (paramythia)—forms a comprehensive description of how prophecy benefits the community. It strengthens believers (edification), spurs them to action or endurance (exhortation), and provides solace in trials (comfort). Paul prioritizes these intelligible and mutually beneficial aspects of worship to ensure the church functions as a healthy, spiritually growing body, glorifying God through understandable communication. This contrasts sharply with spiritual experiences that could lead to chaos or self-aggrandizement without clear, beneficial communication to the assembly.