1 Corinthians 14:4 BSB

1 Corinthians 14:4

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

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

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

KJV

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

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Commentary

3 voices

Theophylact of Ohrid

Commentary on 1 Corinthians (1107)

Many who spoke in tongues could not explain what they themselves were saying. Therefore they were useful only to themselves. But the one who prophesies is useful to all listeners. Therefore, as great as the distance between benefit to one person and benefit to the …

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

He may understand and be affected with what he speaks; and so every minister should; and he that is most edified himself is in the disposition and fitness to do good to others by what he speaks; but he that speaks with tongues, or language unknown, can only edify himself; others can reap no benefit from his speech.

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible (1832)

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue - In the Hebrew for instance, the knowledge of the depth and power of which he has got by a Divine revelation, edifieth himself by that knowledge. But he that prophesieth - Has the gift of preaching. Edifieth the Church - Speaketh unto men to edification, exhortation, and comfort, 1Co 14:3.

Voices on this verse

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Original language & word study

10 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
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 →

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

The walk

The walk8

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
Mark 16:17
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
leads to
- Acts 5:16
  Crowds also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and all of them were healed.
- 1 Corinthians 12:28
  And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.
- Luke 10:17
  The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name.”
- Acts 8:7
  With loud shrieks, unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, and many of the paralyzed and lame were healed.
- John 14:12
  Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
Through
1 Corinthians 14:26
What 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…
leads to
- Ephesians 5:19
  Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord,
- Romans 14:19
  So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
- 1 Corinthians 12:7–10
  Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

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About 1 Corinthians

The Crucifixion — 'Christ crucified' (1 Cor 2:2) — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)

1 Corinthians: the study guide →Read chapter 14 →The featured study →

Continue: 1 Corinthians 14 →

01Commentary

The record, by era

Voices on this verse

02Original language & word study

03The walk

Where the connections lead

04Related verses

05Featured studies on this passage

06About 1 Corinthians

The record, by era

Where the connections lead

Commentary

Original language & word study

The walk

Related verses

Featured studies on this passage

About 1 Corinthians