1 Corinthians 14 · Verse 3

1 Corinthians 14:3

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
1 Corinthians 14:3, King James Version

1 Corinthians 14:3 in other translations

BSBBut he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.
WEBBut he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation.
ASVBut he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation.
YLTand he who is prophesying to men doth speak edification, and exhortation, and comfort;
DARBYBut he that prophesies speaks to men in edification, and encouragement, and consolation.
BBEBut the word of the prophet gives men knowledge and comfort and strength.
WebsterBut he that prophesieth, speaketh to men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

What does 1 Corinthians 14:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. 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]. Omit "to."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 3. But he that prophesieth. 1Cor 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. Both were under the influence of the Holy Spirit; both might speak the same truths; both might occupy an equally important and necessary place in the church; but the language of the one was intelligible to the church, the other not; the one was designed to edify the church, the other to address those who spoke foreign tongues, or to give demonstration, by the power of speaking foreign languages, that the religion was from God.

Speaketh unto men. So as to be understood by those who were present.

To edification. 1Cor 10:23. Speaks so as to enlighten and strengthen the church.

And exhortation. Rom 12:8. He applies and enforces the practical duties of religion, and urges motives for a holy life.

And comfort. Encouragement. That is, he presents the promises and the hopes of the gospel; the various considerations adapted to administer comfort in the time of trial. The other might do this, but it would be in a foreign language, and would be useless to the church.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:1-5

Disorders from vain display of gifts; (26-33) and from women speaking in the church. (34-40) 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…

Read the full comment on 1 Corinthians 14:1-5 →

1 Corinthians 14:3 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὁhoThe [one]G3588
δὲdehoweverG1161
προφητεύωνprophēteuōnprophesyingG4395
ἀνθρώποιςanthrōpoisto menG444
λαλεῖlaleispeaks [for]G2980
οἰκοδομὴνoikodomēnedificationG3619
καὶkaiandG2532
παράκλησινparaklēsinencouragementG3874
καὶkaiandG2532
παραμυθίαν.paramuthianconsolation.G3889

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Corinthians 14:3

  • 1 Timothy 4:13

    Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:12

    Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

  • Jude 1:20

    But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

  • 2 Timothy 4:2

    Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

  • Ephesians 6:22

    Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.

  • Romans 14:19

    Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:26

    How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

  • Titus 1:9

    Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:11-14

    Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:31

    For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:4-5

    He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

  • Titus 2:6

    Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
edification.
4,12,26; 8:1; 10:23; Ac 9:31; Ro 14:19; 15:2; Eph 4:12-16,29
1Th 5:11; 1Ti 1:4; Jude 1:20
exhortation.
Lu 3:18; Ac 13:15; 14:22; 15:32; Ro 12:8; 1Th 2:3; 4:1; 5:11,14
2Th 3:12; 1Ti 4:13; 6:2; 2Ti 4:2; Tit 1:9; 2:6,9,15; Heb 3:13; 10:25
Heb 13:22; 1Pe 5:12
comfort.
31; 2Co 1:4; 2:7; Eph 6:22; Col 4:8; 1Th 2:11; 3:2; 4:18; 5:11-14

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Corinthians 14:2

    For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:3

    But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:4

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

Read all of 1 Corinthians 14

1 Corinthians 14:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Mas el que profetiza, habla á los hombres para edificación, y exhortación, y consolación.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Mais celui qui prophétise parle aux hommes pour l’édification, et l’exhortation, et la consolation.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Wer aber weissagt, redet den Menschen zur Erbauung und Ermahnung und Tröstung.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Nam qui prophetat, hominibus loquitur ad ædificationem, et exhortationem, et consolationem.