1 Corinthians 14:4
What does 1 Corinthians 14:4 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 14:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 14:4 means
Here Paul distinguishes private benefit from corporate blessing. A person who speaks in a tongue may be personally strengthened in devotion, yet the congregation gains nothing if it cannot understand. Prophecy, on the other hand, reaches the whole assembly, shaping minds and hearts together. The point is not to belittle tongues but to rank gifts by their usefulness in worship. Love seeks the neighbor’s good, so the most loving gift in the meeting is the one that helps the most people. This verse urges Christians to think beyond their own spiritual experience and to ask how their words and actions can best build up the church that gathers to hear from God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
KJV
King James Version · 1611He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He who makes use of tongues may do good to himself; but he who gives the prophet's word does good to the church.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862he who is speaking in an <FI>unknown<Fi> tongue, himself doth edify, and he who is prophesying, an assembly doth edify;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself: but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He that speaks with a tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies [the] assembly.
Context
Paul continues the contrast begun in verses 2–3, now making explicit the different targets of tongues and prophecy. He keeps the Corinthians focused on edification as the standard. The following verse will show Paul’s generous spirit—he is not anti-tongues—while still preferring prophecy for congregational life. This sequence is essential for the later instructions on how to use gifts in order. Before he names rules, he persuades hearts: prioritize what strengthens the many. Recognizing that distinction prepares readers to accept the coming limits on tongues and the encouragement of prophecy without concluding that one gift is counterfeit or unwanted.
v.3But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation.
v.4This passage
v.5Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 14:26
What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
- 1 Corinthians 14:22
Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to the unbelieving: but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to them that believe.
- 1 Corinthians 13:2
And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
- Mark 16:17
And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;
- 1 Corinthians 14:12
So also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church.
- 1 Corinthians 14:3
But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation.
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