1 Corinthians 14:3
in 1 Corinthians 14But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation.
KJV
But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
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This verse in 1 Corinthians 14
Commentary
13 notes on this verseA commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
But he that prophesieth - See the note at 1Co 14:1. He that speaks under the influence of inspiration in the common language of his hearers. This seems to be the difference between those who spoke in foreign languages and those who prophesied.
This site's exposition
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God
on 1 Corinthians 14:2-4
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him: the first contrast is address, tongues directed Godward, unintelligible to the hearers even though the speaker utters real mysteries in the spirit. Prophecy is the opposite in every respect, verse 3 says, speaking to men, unto edification, exhortation and comfort, three words the bench reads as building up, stirring up, and soothing, the whole range of a congregation's need. Verse 4 states the contrast in its sharpest form, tongues edify the speaker himself, prophecy edifies the church, and both edifications are real, only one reaches beyond the one who has the gift.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
"But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and comfort." Seest thou by what he signifies the choice nature of this gift? i.e., by the common benefit? and how every where he gives the higher honor to that which tends to the profit of the many? For do not the former speak unto men also? tell me. But not so much "edification, and exhortation, and comfort." So that the being powered by the Spirit is common to both, as well to him that prophesieth, as to him that speaketh with tongues; but in this, the one (he, I mean, who prophesieth) hath the advantage in that he is also profitable unto the hearer. For they who with tongues were not understood by them that had not the gift.
A person is built up when he finds out the answer to disputed points. Encouragement comes to him when he is enabled to endure. He is consoled when he continues in hope even when others are viewing his discipline with contempt. Knowledge of the law …
The Medieval Church2 voices
He compares tongues with prophecy and shows that they are not completely useless in themselves; for they speak not to men, but to God, that is, they do not speak what is easily understood and clear to men, but by the Holy Spirit they speak …
Secondly, he proves his statement that prophecy is for the honor of God and the benefit of our neighbors. Hence he says, He who prophesies, i.e., explains visions or Scriptures, speaks to men, i.e., to the human intellect for the upbuilding of beginners and encouragement …
The Reformation1 voice
He that prophesieth, speaketh unto men "Prophecy," says he, "is profitable to all, while a foreign language is a treasure hid in the earth.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — odd-straight-quotes
6 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices
And indeed these two must go together. Duty is the proper way to comfort; and those that would be comforted must bear being exhorted. He that speaks with tongues may edify himself,
But he that prophesieth,....
He goes on to show them how unprofitable the speaking of foreign languages is, and useless to the church; it is like piping in one tone, like sounding a trumpet without any certain note, like talking gibberish; whereas gifts should be used for the good of the church,
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
But--on the other hand. edification--of which the two principal species given are "exhortation" to remove sluggishness, "comfort" or consolation to remove sadness [BENGEL].
But he that prophesieth - The person who has the gift of teaching is much more useful to the Church than he is who has only the gift of tongues, because he speaks to the profit of men: viz. to their edification, by the Scriptures he expounds; to their exhortation, by what he teaches; and to their comfort, by his revelation. - Whitby. I must here refer to my sermon on this text, intitled, “The Christian Prophet and his Work,” in which I have endeavored to consider the whole of this subject at large.
Modern Voices1 voice
A commentator
Darren StottThe Internet Put Joseph Z on Trial. The Bible Just Acquitted Him. (blog) (2026)
proposed
That is the apostolic definition of New Testament prophecy. Not weather forecasting. Not a guaranteed press release from Heaven about the exact sequence of future events.
The words behind it
10 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ὁ | ho | The [one] | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| δὲ | de | however | G1161 → | 2765 times |
| προφητεύων | propheteuon | prophesying | G4395 → | 28 times |
| ἀνθρώποις | anthropois | to men | G444 → | 549 times |
| λαλεῖ | lalei | speaks [for] | G2980 → | 294 times |
| οἰκοδομὴν | oikodomen | edification | G3619 → | 18 times |
| καὶ | kai | and | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| παράκλησιν | paraklesin | encouragement | G3874 → | |
| καὶ | kai | and | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| παραμυθίαν. | paramuthian | consolation. | G3889 → |
ὁThe [one]
hoG3588 →19766 times
δὲhowever
deG1161 →2765 times
προφητεύωνprophesying
propheteuonG4395 →28 times
ἀνθρώποιςto men
anthropoisG444 →549 times
λαλεῖspeaks [for]
laleiG2980 →294 times
οἰκοδομὴνedification
oikodomenG3619 →18 times
καὶand
kaiG2532 →9120 times
παράκλησινencouragement
paraklesinG3874 →
καὶand
kaiG2532 →9120 times
παραμυθίαν.consolation.
paramuthianG3889 →
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Jude 1:20But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
it leads to
- Ephesians 6:18
Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.
- Romans 8:26–27
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.
- 1 Corinthians 14:15
What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.
- Colossians 2:7
rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.
- Ephesians 6:18
Through
2 Timothy 4:2Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.
it leads to
- Titus 2:15
Speak these things as you encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14
And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.
- 1 Timothy 4:15–16
Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.
- Titus 2:15
Where this verse is studied
On this page
About 1 Corinthians
This page draws on 13 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrosiaster, COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES; Charles Hodge, An Exposition of the First Epistle to the Corinthians; Darren Stott, The Internet Put Joseph Z on Trial. The Bible Just Acquitted Him. (blog); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Calvin, Commentaries; John Chrysostom, Homily on 1 Corinthians 35; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 1 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 1 Corinthians.