1 Corinthians 14:4
He that speaketh in a tongue, edifieth himself: but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church.
Open 1 Corinthians 14:4 in the Motif Searcher, word by word across all five texts →Show on the spiral →The verse in its languages
- Vulgate (Clementine)
- Qui loquitur lingua, semetipsum ædificat : qui autem prophetat, ecclesiam Dei ædificat.
- Greek New Testament (SBLGNT)
- ὁ λαλῶν γλώσσῃ ἑαυτὸν οἰκοδομεῖ· ὁ δὲ προφητεύων ἐκκλησίαν οἰκοδομεῖ.
The Fathers on this verse
St John Chrysostom Homilies on First Corinthians, Homily XXXV
Ver. 4 . “He that speaketh in tongue edifieth himself.” And how, if he know not what he saith? Why, for the present, he is speaking of them who understand what they say; understand it themselves, but know not how to render it unto others. “But he that prophesieth edifieth the Church.” Now as great as is the difference between a single person and the Church, so great is the interval between these two. Seest thou his wisdom, how he doth not thrust out the gift and make nothing of it, but signifies it to have some advantage, small though it be, and such as to suffice the possessor only? [2.] Next, lest they should suppose that in envy to them he depresses the tongues, (for the more part had this gift) to correct their suspicion he saith,