1 Corinthians 14:4

4 He that speaketh with tonges proffiteth him silfe: he that prophesyeth edifieth the congregacion.

1 Corinthians 14:4 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 14:4

He that speaketh its an unknown tongue
Be it the Hebrew language, or any other; some copies, and the Ethiopic version, read, "with tongues":

edifieth himself;
his heart may be warmed, his affections raised, his devotion kept up, and he be in a very spiritual and comfortable frame, knowing and understanding what he himself says:

but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church:
which is the great end of the Gospel ministry, which is for the edifying the body of the church: wherefore that which tends to the edification of more, even the whole church, must be preferable to that, which at most can only edify one, and that the speaker himself.

1 Corinthians 14:4 In-Context

2 For he that speaketh with toges speaketh not vnto men but vnto god for no man heareth him how be it in the sprete he speaketh misteries.

3 But he that prophesieth speaketh vnto men to edifyinge to exhortacion and to comforte.

4 He that speaketh with tonges proffiteth him silfe: he that prophesyeth edifieth the congregacion.

5 I wolde that ye all spake with tonges: but rather that ye prophesied. For greater is he that prophisieth? then he yt speaketh with tonges except he expounde it also that the congregacion maye have edifyinge.

6 Now brehren if I come vnto you speakige wt tonges: what shall I profit you excepte I speake vnto you other by revelacio or knowledge or prophesyinge or doctrine.