1 Corinthians 14:3

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1 Corinthians 14:3 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.

King James Version KJV

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

American Standard Version ASV

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation.

Bible in Basic English BBE

But the word of the prophet gives men knowledge and comfort and strength.

Free Bible Version FBV

However, the words of those who speak for God build people up—they provide encouragement and comfort.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

But he that prophecieth, speaketh vnto me to edifying, and to exhortation, and to comfort.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and he who is prophesying to men doth speak edification, and exhortation, and comfort;

World English Bible WEB

But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

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

Plain English Version PEV

But if somebody tells messages from God, they are talking to other people, and helping them to understand things better and get strong. Those messages from God help people and make them happy, even if they have trouble.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Corinthians 14:3

BAB

Word Study

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1 Corinthians 14:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK ο δε προφητευων ανθρωποις λαλει οικοδομην και παρακλησιν και παραμυθιαν

ο ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSM

δε de G1161 then Conj

προφητευων prophēteuō G4395 to prophesy Verb-PAP-NSM

ανθρωποις anthrōpos G444 a human Noun-DPM

λαλει laleō G2980 to speak Verb-PAI-3S

οικοδομην oikodomē G3619 building Noun-ASF

και kai G2532 and Conj

παρακλησιν paraklēsis G3874 encouragement Noun-ASF

και kai G2532 and Conj

παραμυθιαν paramuthia G3889 comfort Noun-ASF

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — 1 Corinthians 14:3

ο ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

προφητευων prophēteuō G4395 "to prophesy" Verb-PAP-NSM

To prophesy means to speak under inspiration from God, as seen in Matthew 7:22 and Mark 14:65. It involves telling forth God's counsels or foretelling events.

Definition: προφητεύω (προφήτης), [in LXX chiefly for נָבָא ni., hith. ;] to be a προφήτης (which see), to prophesy: in the primary sense of telling forth the Divine counsels, Mat.7:22 26:68, Mrk.14:65, Luk.1:67 22:64, Act.19:6, 1Co.11:4-5 13:9 14:1 14:3-5 14:24 14:31 14:39, Heb.11:3; with the idea of foretelling future events (an idea merely incidental, not essential; see Lft., Notes, 83 f.), Mat.11:13, Act.2:17-18" (LXX) Act.21:9; before περί, Mat.15:7, Mrk.7:6, 1Pe.1:10; ἐπί, with dative, Rev.10:11; λέγων, Ju 14; ὅτι, Jhn.11:51.† SYN.: μαντεύομαι, q.v (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 27 NT verses. KJV: prophesy See also: 1 Corinthians 11:4; Acts 19:6; 1 Peter 1:10.

ανθρωποις anthrōpos G444 "a human" Noun-DPM

This word means a human being, and is used in the Bible to describe people, like in John 16:21 and Romans 7:1.

Definition: ἄνθρωπος, -ου, ὁ, [in LXX chiefly for אִישׁ ,אָדָם, also for אֱנוֹשׁ, etc. ;] man: __1. generically, a human being, male or female (Lat. homo): Jhn.16:21; with art., Mat.4:4 12:35, Mrk.2:27, Jhn.2:25, Rom.7:1, al; disting. from God, Mat.19:6, Jhn.10:33, Col.3:23, al.; from animals, etc., Mat.4:19, Luk.5:10, Rev.9:4, al.; implying human frailty and imperfection, 1Co.3:4; σοφία ἀνθρώπων, 1Co.2:5; ἀνθρώπων ἐπιθυμίαι, 1Pe.4:2; κατὰ ἄνθρωπον περιπατεῖν, 1Co.3:3; κατὰ ἄ. λέγειν (λαλεῖν), Rom.3:5, 1Co.9:8; κατὰ ἄ- λέγειν, Gal.3:15 (cf. 1Co.15:32, Gal.1:11); by meton., of man's nature or condition, ὁ ἔσω (ἔξω) ἄ., Rom.7:22, Eph.3:16, 2Co.4:16 (cf. 1Pe.3:4); ὁ παλαιὸς, καινὸς, νέος ἄ., Rom.6:6, Eph.2:15 4:22, 24 Col.3:9, 10; joined with another subst., ἄ. ἔμπορος, a merchant, Mat.13:45 (WH, txt. om. ἄ.); οἰκοδεσπότης, Mat.13:52; βασιλεύς, 18:23; φάγος, 11:19; with name of nation, Κυρηναῖος, Mat.27:32; Ἰουδαῖος, Act.21:39; Ῥωμαῖος, Act.16:37; pl. οἱ ἄ., men, people: Mat.5:13, 16 Mrk.8:24, Jhn.4:28; οὐδεὶς ἀνθρώπων, Mrk.11:2, 1Ti.6:16. __2. Indef., ἄ. = τις, some one, a man: Mat.17:14, Mrk.12:1, al.; τις ἄ., Mat.18:12, Jhn.5:5, al.; indef. one (Fr. on), Rom.3:28, Gal.2:16, al.; opposite to women, servants, etc., Mat.10:36 19:10, Jhn.7:22, 23. __3. Definitely, with art., of some particular person; Mat.12:13, Mrk.3:5, al.; οὗτος ὁ ἄ., Luk.14:30; ὁ ἄ οὗτος, ἐκεῖνος, Mrk.14:71, Mat.12:45; ὁ ἄ. τ. ἀνομίας, 2Th.2:3; ἄ τ. θεοῦ (of Heb. אִישׁ אֱלֹהִים), 1Ti.6:11, 2Ti.3:17, 2Pe.1:21; ὁ υἰὸς τοῦ ἀ., see: υἱός. SYN.: ἀνήρ, which see (and cf. MM, VGT, 44; Cremer, 103, 635). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 503 NT verses. KJV: certain, man See also: 1 Corinthians 1:25; Acts 22:25; 1 Peter 1:24.

λαλει laleō G2980 "to speak" Verb-PAI-3S

To speak or talk, as in Matthew 9:33 and 12:46, where Jesus speaks to the crowds. It can also mean to utter words, like in Revelation 4:1. This word is often translated as preach, say, or tell in the KJV.

Definition: λαλέω, -ῶ, [in LXX chiefly for דּבר pi., also for אמר, etc. ;] __1. to utter: of inanimate things, Rev.4:1 10:4; metaphorically, Heb.11:4 12:24. __2. to talk, speak, say: absol., Mat.9:33 12:46, Mrk.5:35, Luk.8:49; before ὡς, 1Co.13:11, Rev.13:11; εἰς, 1Co.14:9; ἐκ, Mat.12:34; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.10:19, Mrk.11:32, Jhn.8:30, al.; with dative of person(s), Mat.12:46, Luk.24:6, Rom.7:1, al.; with accusative of thing(s) and dative of person(s), Mat.9:18, Jhn.10:6, al.; with prep., πρός, μετά, περί, Mrk.6:50, Luk.1:19 2:33, al.; ἐν, ἐξ, ἀπό, Mat.13:3, Jhn.12:49 14:10, al.; λ. τ. λόγον, Mrk.8:32, al.; before orat. dir. (not cl.), Mrk.14:31, Heb.5:5 11:18; Hebraistically (Dalman, Words, 25f.), ἐλάλησε λέγων, Mat.14:27, Jhn.8:12, Act.8:26, al. SYN.: see: λέγω. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 269 NT verses. KJV: preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter See also: 1 Corinthians 2:6; Acts 23:18; 1 Peter 3:10.

οικοδομην oikodomē G3619 "building" Noun-ASF

The Greek word for building or construction, used figuratively to mean spiritual growth or confirmation, as seen in Romans 14:19 and 1 Corinthians 14:26. It refers to the act of building up or edifying others. This concept is key to Christian community.

Definition: οἰκοδομή, -ῆς, ἡ (οἶκος, + δέμω, to build), [in LXX: 1Ch.29:1 A (בִּירָה), Eze.17:17 40:2 (בָּנָה, מִבְנֶה), Sir.22:16 40:19, al. ;] = cl. οἰκοδομία (which see), -δόμησις (Thuc., Plat.), __1. the act of building; in NT always metaphorically, building up, edifying: Rom.14:19 15:2, 1Co.14:26, 2Co.10:8 13:10, Eph.4:29; with genitive obj., 1Co.14:12, 2Co.12:19, Eph.4:12, 16; λαλεῖν, λαβεῖν, οἰ., 1Co.14:3. __2. = οἰκοδόμημα, a building: Mat.24:1, Mrk.13:1-2; metaphorically, 1Co.3:9, 2Co.5:1, Eph.2:21.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 18 NT verses. KJV: building, edify(-ication, -ing) See also: 1 Corinthians 3:9; Ephesians 2:21; Romans 14:19.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

παρακλησιν paraklēsis G3874 "encouragement" Noun-ASF

Encouragement is about giving comfort or solace to someone, like in 2 Corinthians 8:4. It's also about exhorting or urging someone to do something, as seen in Acts and other biblical passages.

Definition: παρά-κλησις, -εως, ἡ (παρακαλέω), [in LXX : Job.21:2, Psa.94:19, Hos.13:14, Nam.3:7, Isa.57:18 66:11, Jer.16:7 (נָחַם, its parts and derivatives), Jer.38:9 (תַּחֲנוּן), Isa.28:29 30:7, 1Ma.10:24 1Mac 12:9, 2Ma.7:24 2Mac 15:11 * ;] __1. a calling to one's aid, summons (Thus.), hence, appeal, entreaty (Strab., Plut., al., 1Ma.10:24; of. Lft., Notes, 20) : 2Co.8:4. __2. exhortation, encouragement: Act.15:31, Rom.12:8, 1Co.14:3, 2Co.8:17, Php.2:1, 1Th.2:3, 1Ti.4:13, Heb.12:5; λόγος (τῆς) π., Act.13:15, Heb.13:22; υἱὸς π., Act.4:36. __3. consolation, comfort (Phalar., LXX) : Luk.6:24, Act.9:31, 2Co.1:4-7 7:4 7:7 7:13, 2Th.2:16, Phm 7; τ. γραφῶν, Rom.15:4; θεὸς τῆς π., Rom.15:5, 2Co.1:3; π. τοῦ Ἰσραήλ (see Dalman, Words, 109 f.), Lk (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 28 NT verses. KJV: comfort, consolation, exhortation, intreaty See also: 1 Corinthians 14:3; Acts 4:36; Hebrews 6:18.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

παραμυθιαν paramuthia G3889 "comfort" Noun-ASF

Comfort refers to the feeling of consolation or encouragement, like the comfort Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 14:3. It's about receiving support and reassurance during difficult times.

Definition: παραμυθία, -ας, ἡ (παραμυθέομαι) [in LXX: Est.8:13, Wis.19:12 * ;] __1. encouragement, exhortation. __2. comfort, consolation: 1Co.14:3 .† SYN.: παράκλησις (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: comfort See also: 1 Corinthians 14:3.

Study Notes — 1 Corinthians 14:3

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Context
Cross References
1 Corinthians 14:3 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
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Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 14:3
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Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:3
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Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:3
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:3
Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 14:3
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:3
Sermons on 1 Corinthians 14:3

Context — Prophecy and Tongues

1Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit.

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

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	1 Corinthians 14:12	It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.
2	1 Timothy 4:13	Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching.
3	Jude 1:20	But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
4	Ephesians 6:22	I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts.
5	2 Timothy 4:2	Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.
6	1 Corinthians 14:26	What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.
7	Titus 1:9	He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.
8	Titus 2:6	In the same way, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.
9	Romans 14:19	So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
10	1 Corinthians 14:4–5	The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 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.

1 Corinthians 14:3 Summary

This verse, 1 Corinthians 14:3, tells us that when someone prophesies, they are speaking to people to help them grow in their faith, to encourage them, and to comfort them. This is different from speaking in tongues, which is speaking to God (as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:2). The goal of prophecy is to build up and help the church, and it is something that we should all desire to do, as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:5. By prophesying, we can show love and care for one another, and help each other to grow in our relationship with God, which is in line with the command to love one another in John 13:34.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of prophecy in the church?

The purpose of prophecy is to edify, encourage, and comfort the church, as stated in 1 Corinthians 14:3, which is why the Apostle Paul desires that all believers prophesy, as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:5.

How does prophecy differ from speaking in tongues?

Prophecy is spoken to men for their edification, while speaking in tongues is spoken to God, as stated in 1 Corinthians 14:2, and is only beneficial if interpreted for the church, as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:5.

Is prophecy still relevant in the church today?

Yes, prophecy is still relevant in the church today, as it is a gift that is to be earnestly pursued, as stated in 1 Corinthians 14:1, and is necessary for the edification of the church.

What is the relationship between prophecy and love?

Prophecy is closely tied to love, as the Apostle Paul states that we are to earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy, as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:1, which indicates that prophecy is a key aspect of demonstrating love to one another in the church.

Reflection Questions

How can I use my words to edify, encourage, and comfort others, as prophesied in 1 Corinthians 14:3?
What are some ways that I can pursue the gift of prophecy in my own life, as encouraged in 1 Corinthians 14:1?
How can I balance the desire to prophesy with the need to speak in a way that is understandable to others, as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:5?
What are some examples of how prophecy has been used in the past to edify and encourage the church, and how can I learn from these examples?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 14:3

But he that prophesieth,.... Preaches, prays, or sings, in a language understood by the common people: speaketh unto men to edification; to the building of them up in Christ, and on their most holy

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 14:3

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. But - on the other hand.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:3

Speaketh unto men; that is, to the understanding of men, and for the good and profit of men. To edification; for their increase in knowledge and all habits of grace. And exhortation; to quicken them in the exercise and practice of such duties as God hath, in his word, required of, them. And comfort; and for the relief of them under their burdens, to support and uphold their troubled or wounded spirits. These expressions make it probable, that the apostle, by prophecy in this text, understands ministerial preaching; which more properly tends to edification, exhortation, and comfort, than the foretelling of things to come.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:3

3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. Ver. 3. To edification, to exhortation] These three ends every preacher ought to propound to himself: 1. Edification in knowledge and holiness. 2. Exhortation, that is, reprehension and admonition. 3. Consolation, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way, Hebrews 12:13.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:3

(3) Edification, and exhortation, and comfort.—They communed with God by the speaking with tongues; they communed with the brethren by prophecy—building up, stirring up, cheering up, as each required.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:3

Verse 3. But he that prophesieth] The person who has the gift of teaching is much more useful to the Church than he is who has only the gift of tongues, because he speaks to the profit of men: viz. to their edification, by the Scriptures he expounds; to their exhortation, by what he teaches; and to their comfort, by his revelation.-Whitby. I must here refer to my sermon on this text, intitled, "The Christian Prophet and his Work," in which I have endeavoured to consider the whole of this subject at large.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 14:3

But he that prophesieth - See the note at 1 Corinthians 14:1. He that speaks under the influence of inspiration in the common language of his hearers.

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:3

3. Prophesieth—As the Spirit selects for its instruments the persons most qualified by nature for its special work, so the individual naturally susceptible to presentiment would be gifted with the prophetic charism.

Sermons on 1 Corinthians 14:3

	Sermon	Description
	The Holy Spirit as Our Helper by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of questioning and testing the teachings we encounter. He encourages listeners to examine whether the teachings align with God
	Serving in the Newness of the Spirit by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of counting the cost before making a decision to serve God. He uses the example of Abraham, who was willing to sacrifice his
	A Trained People by Robert B. Thompson	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of studying the two witnesses in the book of Revelation to understand what God wants in his church and what constitutes true
	Ezekiel: His Call and Commission by Stephen Kaung	In this sermon, Brother Stephen Kahn begins by setting the context of the book of Ezekiel, stating that it was written during the fifth year of King Jehoi-Ching's captivity. He des
	Church Life Revisited- 1 Corinthians 13 by Ron Bailey	This sermon focuses on Paul's criteria for what is useful in the church, emphasizing the importance of edification and building up the covenant community. Paul's key question throu
	Doing God's Will as in Heaven (Tamil) by Zac Poonen	This sermon emphasizes the importance of not just being filled with the Holy Spirit, but also being led by the Holy Spirit. It highlights the need to walk in the Spirit, seek peace
	How to Preach God's Word by Zac Poonen	This sermon emphasizes the importance of sharing God's Word without being influenced by cultural norms or denominational traditions. It highlights the empowerment of all believers,