1 Corinthians 14:5

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

{G1161} I would {G2309} that ye {G5209} all {G3956} spake {G2980} with tongues {G1100}, but {G1161} rather {G3123} that {G2443} ye prophesied {G4395}: for {G1063} greater {G3187} is he that prophesieth {G4395} than {G2228} he that speaketh {G2980} with tongues {G1100}, except {G1622}{G1508} he interpret {G1329}, that {G2443} the church {G1577} may receive {G2983} edifying {G3619}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I wish you would all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you would all prophesy. The person who prophesies is greater than the person who speaks in tongues, unless someone gives an interpretation, so that the congregation can be edified.

Berean Standard Bible

I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified.

American Standard Version

Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 14:5, the Apostle Paul articulates his preference for the gift of prophecy over speaking in tongues within the gathered church, unless tongues are accompanied by interpretation. His primary concern is the spiritual edification of the entire congregation, emphasizing that any public manifestation of spiritual gifts must contribute to the collective understanding and growth of the body of Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a larger, crucial discourse in [1 Corinthians chapters 12-14](/1_corinthians/12 "1 Corinthians 12-14 - Spiritual Gifts and Orderly Worship"), where Paul addresses the proper understanding and exercise of spiritual gifts in the Corinthian church. Following his foundational teaching on the unity and diversity of the body of Christ in [chapter 12](/1_corinthians/12 "1 Corinthians 12 - Unity and Diversity of Spiritual Gifts") and his profound exposition on the supremacy of love in [chapter 13](/1_corinthians/13 "1 Corinthians 13 - The Way of Love"), Paul dedicates [chapter 14](/1_corinthians/14 "1 Corinthians 14 - Order in Public Worship") to practical guidelines for public worship. The Corinthians had evidently overemphasized the gift of tongues, leading to disorder and a lack of intelligibility in their gatherings. Paul's aim is to correct this imbalance, ensuring that worship is both Spirit-led and orderly, with a clear focus on mutual edification. Verse 5 serves as a direct comparison between tongues and prophecy, setting the stage for his subsequent detailed instructions on their use.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan hub known for its diverse religious practices and philosophical schools, often characterized by ecstatic experiences. In this environment, the Corinthian believers, many of whom were new converts from pagan backgrounds, may have brought their pre-Christian understandings of spiritual ecstasy into the church. The gift of tongues, being a supernatural and often unintelligible utterance, might have been seen as a particularly impressive or "spiritual" manifestation, leading to a competitive display among members. This likely contributed to the chaotic scenes Paul addresses, where multiple people might speak in tongues simultaneously without interpretation, leaving the majority of the congregation unedified and potentially causing outsiders to view the church as mad, as suggested in [1 Corinthians 14:23](/1_corinthians/14-23 "1 Corinthians 14:23 - Unbelievers and Tongues"). Paul's instructions were therefore vital for establishing order, promoting understanding, and ensuring the church's witness to the outside world.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme permeating Paul's discussion of spiritual gifts in [1 Corinthians 12-14](/1_corinthians/12 "1 Corinthians 12-14 - Spiritual Gifts and Orderly Worship") is the **edification of the church**. Paul consistently redirects the Corinthians from self-aggrandizement to corporate benefit. This verse explicitly highlights the **superiority of prophecy** for public worship because it directly contributes to understanding and spiritual growth, unlike uninterpreted tongues. The **necessity of interpretation** for tongues to be beneficial in public is another crucial theme; it transforms an otherwise unintelligible utterance into an understandable message, thereby making it equivalent to prophecy in its edifying power. This emphasis on clarity and intelligibility aligns with Paul's broader concern for order and understanding in worship, as seen in his call for all things to be done "decently and in order" in [1 Corinthians 14:40](/1_corinthians/14-40 "1 Corinthians 14:40 - Order in the Church").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Tongues (Greek, _glōssa'_):** In this context, _glōssa_ refers to a language, specifically one supernaturally acquired and spoken, often unintelligible to the speaker or listener without interpretation. It denotes the spiritual gift of speaking in unknown languages, which Paul acknowledges as a legitimate spiritual manifestation, but one that requires careful regulation in public assembly.
* **Prophesied (Greek, _prophēteúō'_):** This term signifies speaking under divine inspiration. While it can involve foretelling future events, in the New Testament church, it more commonly refers to proclaiming God's truth in an understandable manner, bringing exhortation, encouragement, comfort, or conviction to the congregation. Its primary value lies in its direct intelligibility and its capacity to build up the listeners.
* **Edifying (Greek, _oikodomḗ'_):** Literally meaning "building up" or "construction," _oikodomḗ_ is used metaphorically throughout Paul's writings to describe the spiritual growth, strengthening, and maturity of individual believers and the collective body of Christ. It underscores the practical, tangible benefit that spiritual gifts should provide, leading to spiritual formation and communal flourishing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I would that ye all spake with tongues":** Paul begins by expressing a genuine, even strong, desire for all believers to experience the charismatic gift of speaking in tongues. This indicates that he does not devalue the gift itself, recognizing its potential for personal spiritual benefit or as a sign. His wish suggests an openness to the Spirit's work in diverse ways.
* **"but rather that ye prophesied":** Immediately, Paul introduces a clear preference, signaling that while tongues have their place, prophecy holds a superior position, particularly within the context of the gathered church. The Greek word for "rather" (_mâllon_) emphasizes this comparative preference, setting up the subsequent justification.
* **"for greater [is] he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues":** This clause provides the explicit rationale for prophecy's superiority. The "greater" (_meízōn_) here refers not to the intrinsic value of the gift or the spirituality of the individual possessing it, but to the *effect* and *benefit* the gift brings to the entire community. Prophecy, being understandable, directly contributes to the spiritual growth of all present.
* **"except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying":** This crucial qualification highlights the condition under which speaking in tongues can become equally beneficial in public. Without interpretation, tongues are unintelligible to most listeners and thus fail to build up the corporate body. The ultimate purpose (_hína_) of public spiritual gifts is the "edifying" (_oikodomḗ_) of the church, ensuring mutual spiritual growth, understanding, and strength.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices to convey his message effectively. The primary device is **Contrast**, setting the gift of tongues against the gift of prophecy. He uses the comparative "greater" to establish a clear **Hierarchy of Value** based on the criterion of edification. The phrase "but rather" serves as an **Emphasis** on his preferred outcome for public worship. Furthermore, the inclusion of the **Conditional Clause** ("except he interpret") demonstrates Paul's nuanced approach, showing that tongues, when properly managed, can achieve the same beneficial outcome as prophecy. The concept of "edifying" itself functions as a powerful **Metaphor** for spiritual construction and growth, underscoring the practical purpose of all spiritual gifts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 14:5 underscores a foundational principle of New Testament ecclesiology: the purpose of all spiritual gifts is the building up of the body of Christ. While individual spiritual experiences are valid, their public expression must always be evaluated by their contribution to the common good and the spiritual maturity of the community. This verse highlights the practical, corporate dimension of the Spirit's work, emphasizing that divine power is given not for personal display or individualistic exaltation, but for the collective strengthening and understanding of the church. It reflects a theology where God's gifts are designed to foster unity, clarity, and spiritual growth within the fellowship of believers.

* [Romans 14:19](/romans/14-19 "Romans 14:19 - Pursue Peace and Edification")
* [Ephesians 4:11-12](/ephesians/4-11-12 "Ephesians 4:11-12 - Gifts for Equipping the Saints")
* [1 Peter 4:10-11](/1_peter/4-10-11 "1 Peter 4:10-11 - Use Gifts to Serve Others")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 14:5 offers timeless wisdom for contemporary church life, urging believers to prioritize clarity, understanding, and mutual spiritual growth in all their gatherings and interactions. It challenges us to evaluate our contributions to the church, whether through teaching, service, or spiritual expression, by asking: "Does this build up others? Is it understandable and beneficial to the whole body?" This principle encourages a selfless approach to ministry, where personal preferences or impressive displays are secondary to the collective edification of the community. It calls us to cultivate an environment where the Holy Spirit moves freely, yet always in an orderly and intelligible manner, ensuring that every member, including visitors, can comprehend and be spiritually nourished by what transpires.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my use of spiritual gifts or talents contribute to the edification of my local church community?**
* **In what ways can I ensure that my communication, whether in teaching, sharing, or personal testimony, is always clear and understandable to those around me?**
* **What steps can our church take to prioritize collective spiritual growth and understanding in our worship services and ministries?**

### FAQ

**What is the difference between tongues and prophecy in this context?**
Answer: In 1 Corinthians 14, "tongues" (Greek, _glōssa_) refers to speaking in a language unknown to the speaker, often unintelligible to the listeners without divine interpretation. It could be an earthly language or a heavenly one. "Prophecy" (Greek, _prophēteúō_), on the other hand, refers to inspired speech that is understandable to the audience, bringing forth a message from God that encourages, exhorts, comforts, or convicts. Paul's distinction is primarily based on intelligibility and its direct impact on the edification of the gathered church, as highlighted in [1 Corinthians 14:2-3](/1_corinthians/14-2-3 "1 Corinthians 14:2-3 - Tongues vs. Prophecy").

**Why does Paul say prophecy is "greater" than tongues?**
Answer: Paul states that prophecy is "greater" (Greek, _meízōn_) because of its direct and immediate benefit to the entire congregation. Prophecy, being understandable, directly builds up, encourages, and comforts the church, leading to collective spiritual growth. Uninterpreted tongues, while a legitimate spiritual gift, do not provide this corporate benefit because they are not understood by the majority, as explained in [1 Corinthians 14:4](/1_corinthians/14-4 "1 Corinthians 14:4 - Edification of Self vs. Church"). The "greatness" is measured by its capacity for corporate edification.

**What does "edifying" mean in the context of the church?**
Answer: "Edifying" (Greek, _oikodomḗ_) means "building up" or "construction." In the context of the church, it refers to the spiritual growth, strengthening, and maturity of individual believers and the collective body of Christ. It implies a process of spiritual formation, where believers are strengthened in their faith, knowledge, and love, and the church as a whole grows in unity, understanding, and effectiveness in its mission. Paul consistently emphasizes that all spiritual gifts and activities in the church should ultimately contribute to this "building up" of the body, as also seen in [Ephesians 4:16](/ephesians/4-16 "Ephesians 4:16 - Growth of the Body").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The principles articulated in 1 Corinthians 14:5 find their ultimate fulfillment and purpose in Christ. Jesus Christ is the quintessential Prophet, the very Word of God made flesh, whose entire earthly ministry was dedicated to speaking God's truth in an understandable and transformative way, thereby building up His disciples and inaugurating His kingdom. The gifts of the Spirit, including prophecy and tongues, are distributed by the Holy Spirit, who was sent by Christ to empower His church after His ascension, as promised in [John 16:7](/john/16-7 "John 16:7 - The Coming of the Holy Spirit"). The ultimate goal of these gifts, the "edifying" of the church, is to bring the body of believers to maturity, reflecting the fullness of Christ, as described in [Ephesians 4:13](/ephesians/4-13 "Ephesians 4:13 - Attaining Unity in the Faith"). Thus, every understandable word of prophecy and every interpreted utterance in tongues, when exercised in love and order, serves to conform the church more fully to the image of Christ, enabling it to effectively carry out His mission in the world and bring glory to His name, as He Himself prayed for the unity and sanctification of His followers in [John 17](/john/17 "John 17 - Jesus' High Priestly Prayer").

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 12:10

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

1 Corinthians 12:28

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

1 Corinthians 12:30

Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

Numbers 11:28

And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, [one] of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them.

Numbers 11:29

And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, [and] that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!

1 Corinthians 13:1

¶ Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become [as] sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

1 Corinthians 14:3

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