1 Corinthians 14:4

4 When a person speaks in another language, he helps himself grow. But when a person speaks what God has revealed, he helps the church grow.

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 When a person speaks in another language, he doesn't speak to people but to God. No one understands him. His spirit is speaking mysteries.
3 But when a person speaks what God has revealed, he speaks to people to help them grow, to encourage them, and to comfort them.
4 When a person speaks in another language, he helps himself grow. But when a person speaks what God has revealed, he helps the church grow.
5 I wish that all of you could speak in other languages, but especially that you could speak what God has revealed. The person who speaks what God has revealed is more important than the person who speaks in other languages. This is true unless he can interpret what he says to help the church grow.
6 Brothers and sisters, it wouldn't do you any good if I came to you speaking in other languages, unless I explained revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or doctrine to you.
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