Key Verse Spotlight
1 Corinthians 14:4 — Meaning and Application
King James Version
“He that speaketh in an {unknown} tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.”
1 Corinthians 14:4
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
For he that speaketh in an {unknown} tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth {him}; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. {understandeth: Gr. heareth}
But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men {to} edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
He that speaketh in an {unknown} tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
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.
Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
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