1 Corinthians 14:4

He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly.

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

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.

KJV

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

ASV

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

BBE

He who makes use of tongues may do good to himself; but he who gives the prophet's word does good to the church.

Original Greek

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ὁ ho The [one] G3588 λαλῶν lalōn speaking G2980 γλώσσῃ glōssē in a tongue G1100 ἑαυτὸν he'auton himself G1438 οἰκοδομεῖ oikodomei edifies G3618 ὁ ho the [one] G3588 δὲ de however G1161 προφητεύων prophēteuōn prophesying G4395 ἐκκλησίαν ekklēsian [the] church G1577 οἰκοδομεῖ.¶ oikodomei edifies G3618

The early church

What then? Did they edify no man? "Yes," saith he, "themselves alone:" wherefore also he adds, "He that speaketh in tongue edifieth himself." And how, if he know not what he saith? Why, for the present, he is speaking of them who understand what they say; understand it themselves, but know not how to render it unto others. "But he that prophesieth edifieth the Church." Now as great as is the difference between a single person and the Church, so great is the interval between these two. Seest thou his wisdom, how he doth not thrust out the gift and make nothing of it, but signifies it to have some advantage, small though it be, and such as to suffice the possessor only?
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 1 Corinthians

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 1–5

Prophesying, that is, explaining Scripture, is compared with speaking with tongues. This drew attention, more than the plain interpretation of Scripture; it gratified pride more, but promoted the purposes of Christian charity less; it would not equally do good to the souls of men. What cannot be understood, never can edify. No advantage can be reaped from the most excellent discourses, if delivered in language such as the hearers cannot speak or understand. Every ability or possession is valuable in proportion to its usefulness. Even fervent, spiritual affection must be governed by the exercise of the understanding, else men will disgrace the truths they profess to promote.

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Cross-references

9

Topics

Church

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.