1 Corinthians 14:4
He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γλώσσῃ
in an unknown tongue
G1100
γλώσσῃ
in an unknown tongue
Strong's:
G1100
Word #:
3 of 10
the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired)
ἑαυτὸν
himself
G1438
ἑαυτὸν
himself
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
4 of 10
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
οἰκοδομεῖ
edifieth
G3618
οἰκοδομεῖ
edifieth
Strong's:
G3618
Word #:
5 of 10
to be a house-builder, i.e., construct or (figuratively) confirm
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
προφητεύων
he that prophesieth
G4395
προφητεύων
he that prophesieth
Strong's:
G4395
Word #:
8 of 10
to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office
Cross References
1 Corinthians 14:22Wherefore 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 14:26How 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 16:17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Historical Context
The Corinthian obsession with tongues likely stemmed from viewing them as evidence of superior spirituality. Paul reframes the issue: in church gatherings, the question isn't "what blesses me?" but "what builds the body?"
Questions for Reflection
- How should the distinction between self-edification and church edification guide worship practices?
- Why doesn't Paul forbid tongues entirely if prophecy is superior for corporate worship?
- In what ways might we pursue gifts that showcase us rather than serve others?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself (ἑαυτὸν οἰκοδομεῖ, heauton oikodomei)—Paul concedes tongues have personal devotional value. But he that prophesieth edifieth the church (ἐκκλησίαν οἰκοδομεῖ, ekklēsian oikodomei)—the contrast is between self-edification and corporate edification.
Paul doesn't denigrate private edification (see v. 18, he practices it himself), but in gathered worship, the church's needs trump personal blessing. The repetition of oikodomeo ("build, edify") hammers home the principle: worship's purpose is mutual upbuilding. Love seeks the other's benefit (13:5, "seeketh not her own"), so corporate worship must prioritize corporate edification.