1 Corinthians 14:4

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

He that speaketh {G2980} in an unknown tongue {G1100} edifieth {G3618} himself {G1438}; but {G1161} he that prophesieth {G4395} edifieth {G3618} the church {G1577}.

Complete Jewish Bible

A person speaking in a tongue does edify himself, but a person prophesying edifies the congregation.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 14:4, the Apostle Paul contrasts the spiritual gifts of speaking in tongues and prophecy, establishing the principle that the value of a spiritual gift in the communal setting is determined by its capacity to edify the entire church rather than merely the individual. This verse serves as a foundational statement in Paul's argument for order, intelligibility, and corporate benefit in the exercise of spiritual gifts, emphasizing that prophecy, by its nature of direct and understandable communication, builds up the collective body of believers more effectively than uninterpreted tongues, which primarily benefit the speaker.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Paul's extensive discourse on spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12-14. Following his profound exposition on the unity and diversity of the body of Christ in [1 Corinthians 12](/1_corinthians/12 "1 Corinthians 12 - Spiritual Gifts and the Body of Christ"), and his unparalleled hymn to love in [1 Corinthians 13](/1_corinthians/13 "1 Corinthians 13 - The Superiority of Love"), Paul directly addresses the practical application and regulation of gifts within the Corinthian assembly. Specifically, [1 Corinthians 14](/1_corinthians/14 "1 Corinthians 14 - Order in Worship") is dedicated to correcting the Corinthians' overemphasis on tongues and their disorderly worship practices, advocating for prophecy as the superior gift for corporate edification. Verse 4 encapsulates the core argument that gifts must serve the common good, not individual display. The central theme running through [1 Corinthians 12-14](/1_corinthians/12 "1 Corinthians 12-14 - Spiritual Gifts") is **edification (οἰκοδομή)**, the spiritual building up or strengthening of the church. Paul consistently argues that all spiritual gifts are given for the "common good" ([1 Corinthians 12:7](/1_corinthians/12-7 "1 Corinthians 12:7 - Gifts for the Common Good")), and that love ([1 Corinthians 13:1-3](/1_corinthians/13-1-3 "1 Corinthians 13:1-3 - Love as the Greatest Gift")) must be the governing principle for their exercise. This verse directly applies these themes by contrasting self-edification with communal edification, thereby establishing a hierarchy of gifts based on their utility to the entire body of Christ. It also highlights the theme of **intelligibility and order** in worship, as prophecy is inherently understandable and thus contributes directly to the spiritual growth and instruction of the congregation, unlike uninterpreted tongues.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The church in Corinth was a vibrant, yet problematic, community situated in a major Roman port city known for its diverse religious practices, philosophical schools, and moral laxity. The Corinthians were enthusiastic about spiritual manifestations, particularly ecstatic utterances (tongues), which might have resonated with pagan ecstatic cults prevalent in the Greco-Roman world. This enthusiasm, however, often led to disorder, pride, and a lack of focus on the communal good. Paul's letter seeks to temper their zeal with theological understanding, ethical instruction, and practical guidelines for worship. He addresses a culture that valued individual spiritual experiences and public displays of power, redirecting their focus towards the humble, loving service that builds up the entire Christian community.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme running through [1 Corinthians 12-14](/1_corinthians/12 "1 Corinthians 12-14 - Spiritual Gifts") is **edification (οἰκοδομή)**, the spiritual building up or strengthening of the church. Paul consistently argues that all spiritual gifts are given for the "common good" ([1 Corinthians 12:7](/1_corinthians/12-7 "1 Corinthians 12:7 - Gifts for the Common Good")), and that love ([1 Corinthians 13:1-3](/1_corinthians/13-1-3 "1 Corinthians 13:1-3 - Love as the Greatest Gift")) must be the governing principle for their exercise. This verse directly applies these themes by contrasting self-edification with communal edification, thereby establishing a hierarchy of gifts based on their utility to the entire body of Christ. It also highlights the theme of **intelligibility and order** in worship, as prophecy is inherently understandable and thus contributes directly to the spiritual growth and instruction of the congregation, unlike uninterpreted tongues.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **tongue (Greek, _glōssa'_):** Originating from an uncertain affinity, this word primarily refers to the physical organ of the tongue. By implication, as used here, it signifies a language, particularly one that is naturally unacquired or supernaturally given. In the context of 1 Corinthians 14, "tongue" refers to speaking in a language unknown to the speaker or hearers without divine interpretation, often associated with ecstatic utterances.
* **edifieth (Greek, _oikodoméō'_):** Derived from the concept of a house-builder, this verb means "to build a house" or, metaphorically, "to construct," "confirm," "strengthen," or "build up." It carries a strong sense of constructive spiritual growth, fostering maturity, and providing encouragement. Paul uses this term consistently throughout 1 Corinthians 14 to underscore the primary purpose of spiritual gifts: to build up the church.
* **prophesieth (Greek, _prophēteúō'_):** From the word "prophet," this verb signifies "to foretell events," "divine," "speak under inspiration," or "exercise the prophetic office." In the New Testament, particularly in Paul's epistles, prophecy is often understood not exclusively as predicting the future, but more broadly as speaking forth God's message, proclaiming divine truth, often for the purpose of exhortation, comfort, instruction, and conviction, which directly benefits the hearers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue edifieth himself;":** This clause describes the personal benefit derived from speaking in tongues. The bracketed "[unknown]" in the KJV indicates it's an interpretive addition by translators, though it accurately reflects the context of unintelligible utterances without interpretation. Paul acknowledges that speaking in tongues can provide personal spiritual strengthening or upliftment, suggesting a private communion with God that bypasses the intellect of the speaker and is not understood by others. This self-edification is not condemned but is contrasted with a higher good.
* **"but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.":** The conjunction "but" (Greek, _dé'_) introduces a strong contrast. Paul posits prophecy as superior in the communal setting because its direct, understandable message builds up the entire congregation. Prophecy, by its nature, communicates divine truth clearly, leading to instruction, exhortation, comfort, and conviction for all who hear, thereby strengthening the collective body of believers. This highlights Paul's emphasis on corporate spiritual growth over individual spiritual experience in public worship.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in this verse is **Antithesis** (or **Contrast**). Paul sets up a clear opposition between two actions and their respective outcomes: speaking in tongues leading to self-edification versus prophesying leading to the edification of the church. This stark contrast serves to highlight Paul's argument for prioritizing gifts that benefit the community. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Parallelism** in the structure of the two clauses, with similar grammatical constructions ("He that X edifieth Y"), which reinforces the comparison and makes the contrasting outcomes more impactful. The word "edifieth" itself uses **Metaphor**, drawing on the imagery of building a structure (a house) to describe spiritual growth and strengthening.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is a cornerstone for understanding the purpose and proper exercise of spiritual gifts within the Christian community. It underscores the profound theological truth that spiritual gifts are not given for personal aggrandizement or private experience alone, but are primarily tools for the mutual upbuilding and strengthening of the body of Christ. The principle of edification, rooted in love, dictates that the most valuable expressions of spiritual power are those that clearly communicate God's truth and foster spiritual maturity in others. This challenges believers to evaluate their spiritual contributions by their impact on the collective health and growth of the church, rather than by personal satisfaction or perceived spiritual intensity.

* [1 Corinthians 12:7](/1_corinthians/12-7 "1 Corinthians 12:7 - Gifts for the Common Good") - "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal."
* [Ephesians 4:11-12](/ephesians/4-11-12 "Ephesians 4:11-12 - Gifts for Equipping the Saints") - "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:"
* [Romans 14:19](/romans/14-19 "Romans 14:19 - Pursuing Edification") - "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 14:4 remains profoundly relevant for contemporary church life, prompting us to critically assess the purpose and practice of our spiritual expressions. It challenges us to move beyond a self-centered spirituality towards one that prioritizes the collective good of the body of Christ. While personal spiritual disciplines and private communion with God are undeniably vital for individual growth, Paul's teaching here emphasizes that in corporate gatherings, our contributions should be intelligible, orderly, and aimed at building up others. This means valuing clear teaching, encouraging words, and ministries that foster understanding and spiritual maturity across the congregation. It calls us to ask: Does my spiritual expression in the church primarily benefit me, or does it contribute to the spiritual growth and understanding of my brothers and sisters? This verse encourages a humble, love-motivated approach to gifts, where the desire to serve and strengthen others supersedes any desire for personal display or private experience in public.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my use of spiritual gifts or participation in church services contribute to the edification of the entire body of Christ?**
* **In what ways might I be prioritizing personal spiritual experience over the clear communication and building up of others in my faith community?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my contributions in corporate worship are more focused on the common good and intelligibility?**

### FAQ
**Does Paul forbid speaking in tongues?**

Answer: No, Paul does not forbid speaking in tongues. In fact, he explicitly states in [1 Corinthians 14:39](/1_corinthians/14-39 "1 Corinthians 14:39 - Do Not Forbid Tongues") to "forbid not to speak with tongues." However, he places strict regulations on its use in public worship, emphasizing that it must be interpreted to be beneficial to the church ([1 Corinthians 14:5](/1_corinthians/14-5 "1 Corinthians 14:5 - Interpretation Needed for Edification") and [1 Corinthians 14:27-28](/1_corinthians/14-27 "1 Corinthians 14:27-28 - Orderly Use of Tongues")). His primary concern is order and edification of the entire congregation, not the suppression of a legitimate spiritual gift.

**What is the difference between "self-edification" and "edifying the church"?**

Answer: "Self-edification" refers to the spiritual strengthening, building up, or encouragement of an individual believer. When one speaks in tongues without interpretation, it can be a private act of worship or communion with God that benefits the speaker's spirit ([1 Corinthians 14:2](/1_corinthians/14-2 "1 Corinthians 14:2 - Speaking to God in Tongues")). In contrast, "edifying the church" means to spiritually strengthen, build up, instruct, or encourage the entire congregation. Prophecy, being an understandable message from God, directly contributes to the collective spiritual growth, understanding, and maturity of all who hear it, thus benefiting the whole body of Christ ([1 Corinthians 14:3](/1_corinthians/14-3 "1 Corinthians 14:3 - Prophecy for Edification")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The principle of edification, so central to [1 Corinthians 14:4](/1_corinthians/14-4 "1 Corinthians 14:4 - Self vs. Church Edification"), finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ Himself. Christ is the ultimate Prophet, the very [Word of God made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), who perfectly spoke forth the Father's truth, not for His own benefit, but entirely for the edification and salvation of humanity. His entire ministry, from His teaching in the synagogues to His parables, His healing miracles, and ultimately His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, was an act of profound corporate edification, building up the people of God and establishing His Church. He is the cornerstone upon whom the entire spiritual house is built ([Ephesians 2:20-22](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20-22 - Christ as the Cornerstone")). The gifts of the Spirit, including prophecy, are distributed by the resurrected Christ through the Holy Spirit to continue His work of building up His body, the Church, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, becoming mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ ([Ephesians 4:11-13](/ephesians/4-11 "Ephesians 4:11-13 - Gifts for Maturity in Christ")). Thus, every spiritual gift, when properly exercised for the edification of the church, reflects the self-giving, truth-proclaiming, and body-building nature of Christ Himself.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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

For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

1 Corinthians 14:19

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 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.