1 Corinthians 14 5

1 Corinthians 14:5

ESV: Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

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.

NIV: I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.

NKJV: I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

NLT: I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you could all prophesy. For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened.

Meaning

In 1 Corinthians 14:5, Paul expresses his desire for all believers to speak in tongues but emphasizes that prophesying is a more valuable spiritual gift for the gathered church. He states that a prophet is "greater" than a tongues-speaker primarily because prophecy directly edifies the entire congregation. The one exception where tongues can equal prophecy in value is when someone interprets the message, thus making it understandable and beneficial for the "building up" of the church. This verse highlights the priority of intelligibility and communal edification in public worship.

Cross References

Context

First Corinthians 14 is a detailed instruction on the proper exercise of spiritual gifts, particularly tongues and prophecy, in the context of the Corinthian church's public gatherings. The chapter flows from the foundational principles laid out in chapter 12 (diversity of gifts, unity of the body) and chapter 13 (love as the supreme motivator). The Corinthian believers were eager for spiritual gifts but lacked proper understanding and order, leading to chaotic worship where the pursuit of individual display overshadowed the communal benefit.

Paul addresses their apparent overvaluation of speaking in tongues, which was seen by some as a more spectacular sign of spiritual power. Against this backdrop, he establishes that edification (οἰκοδομή, oikodomē) of the church is the ultimate goal of all spiritual gifts (1 Cor 14:3-5, 12, 26). The historical and cultural context of Corinth, a cosmopolitan Roman city, also involved various pagan cults where ecstatic speech was common. Paul's instruction thus distinguishes Christian worship from pagan practices by emphasizing intelligibility, order, and love, ensuring that the manifestation of the Spirit genuinely builds up the body of Christ rather than causing confusion or leading to self-exaltation. This verse directly counters any perception of tongues as inherently superior without interpretation.

Word analysis

• Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy.

  • Now I want (Θέλω δέ, Thelō de): Paul states his personal desire, showing pastoral care. He doesn't forbid tongues, affirming its validity, but immediately establishes a preference for public edification.
  • you all (πάντας ὑμᾶς, pantas hymas): Universal desire for the gift, indicating tongues is not exclusively for a few.
  • to speak in tongues (λαλεῖν γλώσσαις, lalein glōssais): From γλῶσσα (glōssa), meaning "tongue" or "language." In this context, it refers to speaking in a divinely empowered language not naturally learned, often unintelligible without interpretation.
  • but even more (μᾶλλον δέ, mallon de): A comparative phrase signifying preference and higher value. It underscores Paul's emphasis on prophecy.
  • to prophesy (ἵνα προφητεύητε, hina prophēteuēte): From προφητεύω (prophēteuō), meaning to "speak forth" a divine message, inspired by the Holy Spirit. This typically involves declaration of God's will, encouragement, exhortation, or revelation of truth, rather than exclusively predicting the future. It is primarily for the benefit of others.

• The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may receive edification.

  • The one who prophesies is greater (μείζων γὰρ ὁ προφητεύων, meizōn gar ho prophēteuōn): Greater (μείζων, meizōn) is a comparative adjective. Here, "greater" refers not to the person or gift in isolation, but to its utility or effectiveness for the church in a public assembly. Prophecy provides immediate, direct, understandable spiritual benefit.
  • than the one who speaks in tongues (ἢ ὁ λαλῶν γλώσσαις, ē ho lalōn glōssais): The direct comparison clarifies Paul's value judgment in this specific context of congregational worship.
  • unless (ἐκτὸς εἰ μή, ektos ei mē): A crucial conditional clause. This establishes the condition under which tongues can reach the same level of utility as prophecy.
  • someone interprets (διερμηνεύῃ, diermēneūēi): From διερμηνεύω (diermēneúō), to interpret, explain, or translate. This highlights the necessity of making the unknown utterance intelligible to the congregation.
  • so that (ἵνα, hina): Indicates purpose.
  • the church may receive edification (ἡ ἐκκλησία οἰκοδομὴν λάβῃ, hē ekklēsia oikodomēn labē): Edification (οἰκοδομήν, oikodomēn), meaning "building up" or "spiritual construction/growth," is the primary goal and benefit. This makes the divine message beneficial and strengthens the collective faith and spiritual health of the community.

Commentary

In 1 Corinthians 14:5, Paul skillfully balances his affirmation of all spiritual gifts with a clear prioritization based on the communal good. He genuinely desires for the Corinthian believers to exercise the gift of tongues, indicating its inherent value. However, his "even more to prophesy" is a decisive pivot, asserting the superior utility of prophecy in a public assembly. The term "greater" (μείζων) doesn't denote an intrinsic hierarchy of gifts in terms of divine origin, but rather their relative effectiveness in building up the body of Christ. Prophecy, by its nature of direct, intelligible speech from God, provides immediate understanding, encouragement, and instruction to the entire congregation.

The critical condition "unless someone interprets" bridges the gap, allowing interpreted tongues to achieve the same edifying impact as prophecy. This demonstrates that Paul's concern is not against tongues itself, but against unintelligibility and disorder. Without interpretation, tongues serves only individual spiritual upliftment (1 Cor 14:4), while public prophecy or interpreted tongues equally serves the church's collective growth. Paul's argument is fundamentally driven by the principle of love (1 Cor 13) which manifests in seeking the good of others, leading to an emphasis on intelligibility and mutual edification within the assembly.

Practical Examples:

• A preacher delivering a sermon clearly explaining God's Word, encouraging and challenging the listeners – this mirrors prophecy.
• Someone sharing a profound, Spirit-inspired thought that resonates with everyone and brings clarity or comfort, which they have prayed about and thoughtfully articulated.
• In a congregational setting, if someone speaks in tongues, followed immediately by another person offering a clear, understandable interpretation that brings a message of comfort or exhortation to the church.

Bonus section

The balance in this verse ("I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy") reveals Paul's deep pastoral wisdom. He avoids forbidding any genuine manifestation of the Spirit (as he reiterates in 1 Cor 14:39), yet he establishes clear guidelines and priorities that safeguard the health and order of the church. This subtle correction implies that some in Corinth may have viewed tongues as a superior or more desirable gift, perhaps even an indicator of higher spirituality. Paul systematically reorients their perspective from individual spectacle to communal benefit. The purpose of the gift – edification – becomes the yardstick for its "greatness" in public settings, rather than its spectacular nature. This teaching aligns with the broader theme in his epistles that Christian liberty must always be exercised within the bounds of love and concern for the weaker brother, seeking to build others up rather than cause stumbling (Rom 14, 1 Cor 8).

Explore 1 corinthians 14 images, wallpapers, art, audio, video, maps, infographics and timelines