1 Corinthians 14:4
◄  1 Corinthians 14:4  ►
New International Version (©2011)
Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.

New Living Translation (©2007)
A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.

English Standard Version (©2001)
The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
The person who speaks in another language builds himself up, but he who prophesies builds up the church.

International Standard Version (©2012)
The person who speaks in a foreign language builds himself up, but the person who prophesies builds up the church.

NET Bible (©2006)
The one who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
He who speaks in languages builds himself up, and he who prophesies builds the church up.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
When a person speaks in another language, he helps himself grow. But when a person speaks what God has revealed, he helps the church grow.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the church.

American King James Version
He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the church.

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

Douay-Rheims Bible
He that speaketh in a tongue, edifieth himself: but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church.

Darby Bible Translation
He that speaks with a tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the assembly.

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

Webster's Bible Translation
He that speaketh in an unknown language edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

Weymouth New Testament
He who speaks in an unknown tongue does good to himself, but he who prophesies does good to the Church.

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

Young's Literal Translation
he who is speaking in an unknown tongue, himself doth edify, and he who is prophesying, an assembly doth edify;

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

14:1-5 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.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 4. - Edifieth himself. When the "tongue" was genuine, and under due control (ver. 32); when it avoided the physical and orgiastic manifestations by which a sort of spiritual possession was indicated in the ancient oracular shrines; when the self consciousness was not wholly obliterated, - a sense of ennobling conviction would be produced by this spiritual outpouring. Those who have experienced the emotion describe this very result. They felt enlarged and elevated - their whole being was for a time expanded - by this emotion. The Church. Primarily the body of assembled Christians which he is addressing, and through them the Church of God in general.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

He that speaketh its an unknown tongue,.... Be it the Hebrew language, or any other; some copies, and the Ethiopic version, read, "with tongues":

edifieth himself; his heart may be warmed, his affections raised, his devotion kept up, and he be in a very spiritual and comfortable frame, knowing and understanding what he himself says:

but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church: which is the great end of the Gospel ministry, which is for the edifying the body of the church: wherefore that which tends to the edification of more, even the whole church, must be preferable to that, which at most can only edify one, and that the speaker himself.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

4. edifieth himself—as he understands the meaning of what the particular "tongue" expresses; but "the church," that is, the congregation, does not.

1 Corinthians 14:4 Parallel Commentaries

1 Corinthians 14:4 NIV
1 Corinthians 14:4 NLT
1 Corinthians 14:4 ESV
1 Corinthians 14:4 NASB
1 Corinthians 14:4 KJV

Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


Prophecy and Tongues
…3But he that prophesies speaks to men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the church. 5I would that you all spoke with tongues but rather that you prophesied: for greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. …

Mark 16:17 And these signswill accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons;they will speak in new tongues;
Romans 14:19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
1 Corinthians 12:10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.
1 Corinthians 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
1 Corinthians 13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
1 Corinthians 14:5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.
1 Corinthians 14:12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.
1 Corinthians 14:17 You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.
1 Corinthians 14:18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
1 Corinthians 14:26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.