He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
Parallel translations
- WEB He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly.
- BSB The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies 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 14:22Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
- 1 Cor 14:26How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
- Mark 16:17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
- 1 Cor 14:17–19For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
- 1 Cor 14:3But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
- 1 Cor 13:2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
- 1 Cor 14:5I 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.
- 1 Cor 14:12Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
- Rom 14:19Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
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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