1 Corinthians 14 · Verse 4

1 Corinthians 14:4

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
1 Corinthians 14:4, King James Version

1 Corinthians 14:4 in other translations

BSBThe one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
WEBHe who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly.
ASVHe that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
YLThe who is speaking in an unknown tongue, himself doth edify, and he who is prophesying, an assembly doth edify;
DARBYHe that speaks with a tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the assembly.
BBEHe who makes use of tongues may do good to himself; but he who gives the prophet's word does good to the church.
WebsterHe that speaketh in an unknown language edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

What does 1 Corinthians 14:4 mean?

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

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 4. Edifieth himself. That is, the truths which are communicated to him by the Spirit, and which he utters in an unknown language, may be valuable, and may be the means of strengthening his faith, and building him up in the hopes of the gospel, but they can be of no use to others. His own holy affections might be excited by the truths which he would deliver, and the consciousness of possessing miraculous powers might excite his gratitude. And yet, as Doddridge has well remarked, there might be danger that a man might be injured by this gift when exercised in this ostentatious manner.

(*) "tongue" "Language"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 4 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, 1Cor 14:3.

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 14:4 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
λαλῶνlalōnspeakingG2980
γλώσσῃglōssēin a tongueG1100
ἑαυτὸνhe'autonhimselfG1438
οἰκοδομεῖ,oikodomeiedifies,G3618
ὁhothe [one]G3588
δὲdehoweverG1161
προφητεύωνprophēteuōnprophesyingG4395
ἐκκλησίανekklēsian[the] churchG1577
οἰκοδομεῖ.¶oikodomeiedifies.G3618

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

Cross references for 1 Corinthians 14:4

  • 1 Corinthians 14:22

    Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

  • 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.

  • Mark 16:17

    And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

  • 1 Corinthians 14:17-19

    For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:3

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

  • 1 Corinthians 14:5

    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.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:2

    And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

  • 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.

  • Romans 14:19

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

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
edifieth himself.
14
edifieth the.
3,18,19

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

Context

  • 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.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:5

    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.

Read all of 1 Corinthians 14

1 Corinthians 14:4 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		El que habla lengua extraña, á sí mismo se edifica; mas el que profetiza, edifica á la iglesia.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Celui qui parle en langue s’édifie lui-même; mais celui qui prophétise édifie l’assemblée.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Wer in einer Sprache redet, erbaut sich selbst; wer aber weissagt, erbaut die Versammlung.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Qui loquitur lingua, semetipsum ædificat: qui autem prophetat, ecclesiam Dei ædificat.