1 Corinthians 14 4

1 Corinthians 14:4 kjv

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

1 Corinthians 14:4 nkjv

He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

1 Corinthians 14:4 niv

Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.

1 Corinthians 14:4 esv

The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

1 Corinthians 14:4 nlt

A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.

1 Corinthians 14 verses

1 Corinthians 14 4 meaning

This verse establishes a crucial distinction regarding the spiritual impact of two specific gifts: speaking in tongues and prophecy, particularly in the context of the church's assembly. It states that an individual who speaks in an uninterpreted tongue primarily benefits their own spirit, fostering personal spiritual growth or devotion. In contrast, one who prophesies directly builds up, strengthens, and encourages the entire congregation of believers, thereby promoting communal spiritual health and understanding.

1 Corinthians 14 4 Context

First Corinthians chapter 14 forms a crucial part of Paul's instructions to the Corinthian church regarding spiritual gifts (chapters 12-14). Specifically, chapter 14 addresses the proper, orderly, and edifying use of the gifts of speaking in tongues and prophecy within corporate worship. The Corinthian believers were evidently eager for demonstrative gifts, particularly tongues, and were using them in a chaotic manner that caused confusion and lacked benefit for the wider congregation. Paul, having just extolled love as the most excellent way (Chapter 13), now applies that principle to the exercise of spiritual gifts, arguing that love for others necessitates understandable and constructive communication in public gatherings. This verse, therefore, directly sets up the argument that while personal spiritual experiences are valuable, communal spiritual growth through prophecy takes precedence in the public assembly. Paul is subtly critiquing the Corinthians' tendency towards individualistic and sensational spiritual displays at the expense of corporate spiritual health.

1 Corinthians 14 4 Word analysis

• He that speaketh: This highlights the individual practitioner of the gift, emphasizing personal action.
• in an unknown tongue:
  • Greek: lalon glōssē (λαλῶν γλώσσῃ). Literally "speaking a tongue."
  • The word "unknown" is not present in the original Greek text; it was added by some English translators (like KJV) to clarify that the language spoken was unintelligible to the listeners without an interpreter, or even to the speaker.
  • glōssē (γλώσσῃ): "tongue" or "language." In Paul's writings, it refers to a Spirit-inspired utterance that bypasses the speaker's natural understanding. This can involve sounds beyond human language or a known human language miraculously spoken without prior learning, yet still requiring interpretation if not naturally understood by the hearers.
  • Significance: This acknowledges a genuine spiritual expression intended for personal engagement with God, a prayer or praise transcending intellectual grasp.
• edifieth:
  • Greek: oikodomei (οἰκοδομεῖ). Means "to build up," "to construct," "to strengthen," "to instruct," "to promote spiritual growth."
  • Significance: This implies genuine spiritual benefit, showing that uninterpreted tongues serve a valid, though individual, spiritual purpose for the speaker. It contributes to one's own faith, devotion, and communion with God.
• himself: heauton (ἑαυτόν). A reflexive pronoun, clearly indicating that the benefit of uninterpreted tongues is directed inward, personal to the speaker.
• but: de (δὲ). A strong adversative conjunction, signifying a direct contrast or antithesis between the preceding statement and what follows. It introduces the main point of comparison concerning corporate versus individual benefit.
• he that prophesieth:
  • Greek: ho prophēteuōn (ὁ προφητεύων). "The one prophesying."
  • prophēteuō (προφητεύω): "To prophesy," which primarily means "to speak forth" or "to proclaim" God's revealed will or truth. While it can involve foretelling future events, in this New Testament context, it predominantly refers to inspired, intelligible speech for the purpose of instruction, exhortation, comfort, and sometimes conviction, directly addressing people in their own language.
  • Significance: Emphasizes understandable and divinely inspired communication from God to people.
• edifieth: oikodomei (οἰκοδομεῖ). The same Greek verb as before, reinforcing the concept of building up.
• the church: tēn ekklēsian (τὴν ἐκκλησίαν). Refers to the assembled body of believers, the entire local congregation. It shifts the focus from individual spiritual experience to the collective spiritual well-being of the community.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself": This phrase isolates the inward and personal nature of uninterpreted glossolalia. It is a communication that builds up the speaker's own spirit, acting as a personal expression of devotion or spiritual exercise. This vertical communication to God primarily benefits the individual's spiritual health and emotional release, making it a legitimate but privately focused spiritual practice.
  • "but he that prophesieth edifieth the church": This contrasting phrase underscores the outward, communal, and public nature of prophecy. Prophecy serves as a direct, understandable communication from God, delivered through the prophet, to enlighten, instruct, encourage, and bring conviction to the assembled body. It facilitates corporate spiritual growth and health by addressing the needs of many, making it a highly valued gift in public worship for its immediate and tangible benefit to the entire community.

1 Corinthians 14 4 Bonus section

Paul's discussion here does not forbid speaking in tongues entirely, but rather clarifies its function and proper context, especially concerning corporate worship (1 Cor 14:27-28). The "edification of himself" by speaking in a tongue can be understood as the deep spiritual refreshment, spiritual vigor, or inner strengthening that comes from prayer "in the Spirit" (1 Cor 14:14). It suggests a communion with God that transcends intellectual expression. This contrasts with prophecy, which acts as a channel for God's intelligible word to the community, analogous to Old Testament prophets delivering divine messages directly to the people (Jer 1:9, Ezek 2:7). Paul emphasizes that love, the ultimate guiding principle (1 Cor 13), dictates that gifts used in public should benefit others, thereby highlighting a key difference between the personal, uninterpreted use of tongues and the communal, interpretive power of prophecy.

1 Corinthians 14 4 Commentary

This verse lies at the heart of Paul's guidance on orderly worship in Corinth, establishing a clear hierarchy of value for spiritual gifts in the public assembly. While speaking in an uninterpreted tongue does bring a legitimate, private spiritual benefit to the individual—allowing for deep personal prayer and connection with God that builds up their spirit—its value ceases at the communal threshold. In contrast, prophecy, precisely because it is understandable, directly impacts and builds up the entire body of Christ. Paul is not disparaging tongues but regulating their use by stressing the importance of koinonia (fellowship) and oikodomē (edification) in corporate gatherings. For an assembly, the paramount concern is that all present, including visitors, can comprehend and be spiritually enriched by what is said. Thus, while both gifts are from the Spirit, their utility in public settings differs, prompting Paul to prioritize intelligible speech that strengthens the collective faith.