1 Corinthians 14:4
New International Version
Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.

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

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

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

Berean Literal Bible
The one speaking in a tongue edifies himself, but the one prophesying edifies the church.

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

New King James Version
He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

New American Standard Bible
The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but the one who prophesies edifies the church.

NASB 1995
One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.

NASB 1977
One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.

Legacy Standard Bible
One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.

Amplified Bible
One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church [promotes growth in spiritual wisdom, devotion, holiness, and joy].

Christian Standard Bible
The person who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

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

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

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

Contemporary English Version
By speaking languages that others don't know, you help only yourself. But by prophesying you help everyone in the church.

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

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
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.

Good News Translation
Those who speak in strange tongues help only themselves, but those who proclaim God's message help the whole church.

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

Literal Standard Version
he who is speaking in an [unknown] tongue, edifies himself, and he who is prophesying, edifies the Assembly;

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

New American Bible
Whoever speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but whoever prophesies builds up the church.

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

New Revised Standard Version
Those who speak in a tongue build up themselves, but those who prophesy build up the church.

New Heart English Bible
He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies 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;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Prophecy and Tongues
3But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort. 4The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5I 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.…

Cross References
Mark 16:17
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

Romans 14:19
So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

1 Corinthians 12:10
to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

1 Corinthians 12:28
And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.

1 Corinthians 13:1
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing 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 absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

1 Corinthians 14:5
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.


Treasury of Scripture

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

edifieth himself.

1 Corinthians 14:14
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

edifieth the.

1 Corinthians 14:3,18,19
But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort…

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1 Corinthians 14
1. Prophecy is commended,
2. and preferred before speaking in tongues,
6. by a comparison drawn from musical instruments.
12. Both must be referred to edification,
22. as to their true and proper end.
26. The true use of each is taught,
27. and the abuse rebuked.
34. Women in the churches.














(4) He that speaketh in an unknown tongue.--Better, He that speaketh in a tongue. The introduction of the word "unknown" destroys the whole force of the passage. All tongues--as distinct from languages--were unknown, i.e., unintelligible. The gift of prophecy is superior in usefulness to that of tongues, and therefore to be preferred. The use of the word "edify," as applied to an individual solely, as distinct from the individual as a part of the whole Church, is unusual with St. Paul (see Note on 1Corinthians 8:1), but is introduced so as to make the antithesis verbally as well as logically more striking.

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.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
The [one who]
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

speaks
λαλῶν (lalōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2980: A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.

in a tongue
γλώσσῃ (glōssē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1100: The tongue; by implication, a language.

edifies
οἰκοδομεῖ (oikodomei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3618: From the same as oikodome; to be a house-builder, i.e. Construct or confirm.

himself,
ἑαυτὸν (heauton)
Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself.

but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the [one who]
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

prophesies
προφητεύων (prophēteuōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4395: From prophetes; to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office.

edifies
οἰκοδομεῖ (oikodomei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3618: From the same as oikodome; to be a house-builder, i.e. Construct or confirm.

[the] church.
ἐκκλησίαν (ekklēsian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1577: From a compound of ek and a derivative of kaleo; a calling out, i.e. a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 14:4 He who speaks in another language edifies (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 14:3
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