1 Corinthians 14:3

3 But he that prophesies speaks unto men for edification and exhortation and comfort.

1 Corinthians 14:3 Meaning and Commentary

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 faith, so that they grow up as an holy temple to the Lord: and exhortation; to the more vigorous exercise of grace, and the more cheerful and fervent discharge of duty:

and comfort;
of distressed minds, either through the temptations of Satan, or divine desertions, or inward corruptions, or outward afflictions; for all which ends and purposes the Scriptures are written, and gifts are bestowed on men to explain them; and which ends are answered when God gives a blessing to the word; but can never be expected, if delivered in a language not understood. This bears hard upon the Papists performing any part of divine worship in a language unintelligible to the common people.

1 Corinthians 14:3 In-Context

1 Follow after charity and earnestly pursue spiritual gifts, but above all, that ye may prophesy.

2 For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not unto men, but unto God, for no one understands him, even though by the Spirit he speaks mysteries.

3 But he that prophesies speaks unto men for edification and exhortation and comfort.

4 He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself, but he that prophesies edifies the congregation {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones}.

5 I would that ye all spoke with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied, for greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, that the congregation {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones} may receive edifying.