The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
Parallel translations
- WEB He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly.
- KJV He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
- NKJV He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
- NASB The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
- NLT A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Speaking in a tongue edifies oneself, but prophecy edifies the church. Public worship should aim at the good of all.
Overview
Paul grants that tongues can build up the individual speaker, but prophecy builds up the whole assembly. In a gathering whose purpose is mutual edification, the gift that benefits others is to be preferred. This reflects the principle of love seeking not its own but the common good of the body.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- 1 Cor 14:22Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.
- 1 Cor 14:26What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.
- Mark 16:17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
- 1 Cor 14:17–19You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other one is not edified.
- 1 Cor 14:3But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.
- 1 Cor 13:2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
- 1 Cor 14:5I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified.
- 1 Cor 14:12It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.
- Rom 14:19So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 14:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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