1 Corinthians 14:3

3 For he that prophesieth, speaketh to men to edification, and admonishing, and comforting.

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 ye charity, love ye spiritual things, but more that ye prophesy.

2 And he that speaketh in tongue, speaketh not to men, but to God; for no man heareth. But the Spirit speaketh mysteries.

3 For he that prophesieth, speaketh to men to edification, and admonishing, and comforting.

4 He that speaketh in tongue, edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church of God.

5 And I will, that all ye speak in tongues, but more that ye prophesy. For he that prophesieth, is more than he that speaketh in languages; but peradventure he expound, that the church take edification. [+Forsooth I will you all to speak in tongues, but more that ye prophesy. For why he that prophesieth, is more than he that speaketh with tongues, or languages; but peradventure he interpret, or declare, that the church take edification.]