But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation. He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly. Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up.
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1 Corinthians 14:3-5 sits inside this longer paragraph.
Follow after love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation. He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly. Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up.
Parallel Translations
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But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation.
He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly.
Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up.
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But he that prophesieth speaketh vnto men to edifyinge to exhortacion and to comforte.
He that speaketh with tonges proffiteth him silfe: he that prophesyeth edifieth the congregacion.
I wolde that ye all spake with tonges: but rather that ye prophesied. For greater is he that prophisieth? then he that speaketh with tonges except he expounde it also that the congregacion maye have edifyinge.
Show all 3 translations
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But he that prophecieth, speaketh vnto me to edifying, and to exhortation, and to comfort.
He that speaketh strange language, edifieth himselfe: but hee that prophecieth, edifieth the Church.
I would that ye all spake strange languages, but rather that ye prophecied: for greater is hee that prophecieth, then hee that speaketh diuers tongues, except hee expound it, that the Church may receiue edification.
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Cross-references (60)
- 1 Corinthians 14:22 (v4) Therefore other languages are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to the unbelieving; but prophesying is for a sign, not to the…
- 1 Corinthians 14:12 (vv3–4) So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.
- 1 Timothy 4:13 (v3) Until I come, pay attention to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching.
- Jude 1:20 (v3) But you, beloved, keep building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.
- 2 Timothy 4:2 (v3) preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all patience and teaching.
Show all 56 cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 14:26 (vv3–4) What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, or…
- Ephesians 6:22 (v3) I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know our state and that he may comfort your hearts.
- Mark 16:17 (vv4–5) These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new languages;
- Romans 14:19 (vv3–4) So then, let’s follow after things which make for peace, and things by which we may build one another up.
- Titus 1:9 (v3) holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict those…
- 1 Corinthians 14:31 (v3) For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11-14 (v3) Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do. But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you,…
- 1 Corinthians 12:10 (v5) and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of…
- 1 Corinthians 12:28-30 (v5) God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps,…
- 1 Corinthians 14:4-5 (v3) He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly. Now I desire to have you all speak with…
- Titus 2:6 (v3) Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober minded.
- Numbers 11:28-29 (v5) Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his chosen men, answered, “My lord Moses, forbid them!” Moses said to him, “Are you…
- 1 Corinthians 10:23 (v3) “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are profitable. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things build up.
- 1 Corinthians 13:1 (v5) If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.
- 1 Corinthians 14:17-19 (v4) For you most certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up. I thank my God, I speak with other languages more than you…
- 1 Thessalonians 2:3 (v3) For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deception.
- Titus 2:9 (v3) Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters and to be well-pleasing in all things, not contradicting,
- Luke 3:18 (v3) Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people,
- Acts 9:31 (v3) So the assemblies throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace, and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the…
- Acts 13:15 (v3) After the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of…
- Acts 14:22 (v3) strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into…
- Acts 15:32 (v3) Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words and strengthened them.
- Romans 12:8 (v3) or he who exhorts, to his exhorting; he who gives, let him do it with generosity; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with…
- Romans 15:2 (v3) Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, to be building him up.
- 1 Corinthians 8:1 (v3) Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
- 1 Corinthians 14:3 (v4) But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation.
- 1 Corinthians 14:3-4 (v5) But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation. He who speaks in another language edifies himself,…
- 1 Corinthians 14:17 (v3) For you most certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up.
- 2 Corinthians 1:4 (v3) who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we…
- 2 Corinthians 2:7 (v3) so that on the contrary you should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his…
- Ephesians 4:12-16 (v3) for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the…
- Ephesians 4:29 (v3) Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to…
- Colossians 4:8 (v3) I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,
- 1 Thessalonians 2:11 (v3) As you know, we exhorted, comforted, and implored every one of you, as a father does his own children,
- 1 Thessalonians 3:2 (v3) and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in the Good News of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith,
- 1 Thessalonians 4:1 (v3) Finally then, brothers, we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, that…
- 1 Thessalonians 4:18 (v3) Therefore comfort one another with these words.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:12 (v3) Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they work with quietness and eat their own bread.
- 1 Timothy 1:4 (v3) and not to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause disputes, rather than God’s stewardship, which is in faith—
- 1 Timothy 6:2 (v3) Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who…
- Titus 2:15 (v3) Say these things and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one despise you.
- Hebrews 10:25 (v3) not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day…
- Hebrews 13:22 (v3) But I exhort you, brothers, endure the word of exhortation; for I have written to you in few words.
- 1 Peter 5:12 (v3) Through Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true…
- 1 Corinthians 13:2 (v4) If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t…
- 1 Corinthians 13:4 (v5) Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud,
- 1 Corinthians 14:1 (v5) Follow after love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
- 1 Corinthians 14:5 (v4) Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who…
- 1 Corinthians 14:12-13 (v5) So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly. Therefore let him who…
- 1 Corinthians 14:18-40 (v5) I thank my God, I speak with other languages more than you all. However in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my…
- Hebrews 3:13 (v3) but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called “today”, lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
56 distinct cross-references across this passage (60 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (21 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv3–5 3. He that prophesieth, speaketh unto men “Prophecy,” says…
3. He that prophesieth, speaketh unto men “Prophecy,” says he, “is profitable to all, while a foreign language is a treasure hid in the earth. What great folly, then, it is to spend all one’s time in what is useless, and, on the other hand, to neglect what appears to be most useful!” To speak to edification, is to speak what contains doctrine fitted to edify. For I understand this term to mean doctrine, by which we are trained to piety, to faith, to the worship and fear of God, and the duties of holiness and righteousness. As, however, we have for the most part need of goads, while others are pressed down by afflictions, or labor under weakness, he adds to doctrine, exhortation and consolation It appears from this passage, and from what goes before, that prophecy does not mean the gift of foretelling future events: but as I have said this once before, I do not repeat it.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv3–4 Which may further men in the study of godliness.
Which may further men in the study of godliness.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv3–5 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to…
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
Ver. 3. To edification, to exhortation] These three ends every preacher ought to propound to himself: 1. Edification in knowledge and holiness. 2. Exhortation, that is, reprehension and admonition. 3. Consolation, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way, Heb 12:13.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv3–5 Speaketh unto men; that is, to the understanding of…
Speaketh unto men; that is, to the understanding of men, and for the good and profit of men.
To edification; for their increase in knowledge and all habits of grace.
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And exhortation; to quicken them in the exercise and practice of such duties as God hath, in his word, required of, them.
And comfort; and for the relief of them under their burdens, to support and uphold their troubled or wounded spirits. These expressions make it probable, that the apostle, by prophecy in this text, understands ministerial preaching; which more properly tends to edification, exhortation, and comfort, than the foretelling of things to come.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On v4 Observe here, 1. Another argument used by the apostle…
Observe here, 1. Another argument used by the apostle to prove the gift of prophesying, that is, of interpreting the holy scripture, to be far more excellent than the gift of tongues, separated from the gift of interpretation: he that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifies none but himself, because none but himself understands it; but he that teacheth, instructeth, and exhorteth others, edifieth the church, or the whole assembly that he spake in.
Observe, 2. The apostle wishes they all had the gift of tongues, because they were so very covetous and desirous of them: though alas! rather for their own ostentation than the church’s edification: yet he rather desires, with Moses, that all the Lord’s people were prophets; that is, directed and assisted by the Spirit of God, to deliver plainly and persuasively the will of God to men; for he is the greatest in the church who is most edifying; and he that prophesieth, edifieth more than he that speaketh all languages uninterpreted.
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Observe, 3. He amplifies this by instancing in his own person: If I come to you speaking with tongues; as if he had said, I wonder whether what you so admire in others would please you in me! suppose that I, whom God has eminently endowed with the gift of tongues, should come and speak to you in the Arabian language, what good would it do you? What would you be the wiser or better for me, should I make known to you some revelation which I immediately received from God, or open to you some truth which you knew not before, or urge you to some needful duty, or doctrinally expound to you the matters of faith and obedience recorded in the gospel, if either myself or some interpreter did not make what I say intelligible to you, what will it profit you?
To deliver the mind and will of God plainly and persuasively to the church’s benefit and edification, is much more acceptable to God, profitable to man, and comfortable to ourselves, than to speak with the tongues of men and angels, in language not understood, or not heard.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv3–5 But he that prophesieth,.... Preaches, prays, or sings, in…
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:
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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.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv4–5 Edifieth himself - Only, on the most favourable supposition.…
Edifieth himself - Only, on the most favourable supposition. The church - The whole congregation.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv3–5 Verse 3. But he that prophesieth] The person who…
Verse 3. But he that prophesieth] The person who has the gift of teaching is much more useful to the Church than he is who has only the gift of tongues, because he speaks to the profit of men: viz. to their edification, by the Scriptures he expounds; to their exhortation, by what he teaches; and to their comfort, by his revelation.-Whitby. I must here refer to my sermon on this text, intitled, "The Christian Prophet and his Work," in which I have endeavoured to consider the whole of this subject at large.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v5 1Co 14:5. I would that ye all spake with…
1Co 14:5. I would that ye all spake with tongues — In as great a variety as God hath imparted that gift to any man living; but rather that ye prophesied — For when we consider the different effects and tendencies of these different gifts, we must acknowledge that, with respect to the prospects of usefulness by which these things are to be estimated, greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues — Which those who hear him cannot understand; except he interpret — Or rather, except some one interpret; for it appears from 1Co 14:28, that what was spoken in an unknown tongue was usually interpreted by another person, and not by the person who spoke it, the interpretation of tongues being, in the first church, a distinct gift. See on 1Co 12:10. That the church may receive edifying — Which it might, it seems, equally receive if the things spoken had been delivered only in a language understood by the auditory, and not first in an unknown tongue. “How happily does the apostle here teach us to estimate the value of gifts and talents, not by their brilliancy, but usefulness. Speaking with tongues was indeed very serviceable for spreading the gospel abroad; but for those who remained at home, it was much more desirable to be able to discourse well on useful subjects in their own language, which might serve more for the improvement of the society they belonged to, and the conviction of such of their unbelieving neighbours as might, out of curiosity, happen to step into the assemblies.” — Doddridge.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv3–5 But he that prophesieth - See the note at…
But he that prophesieth - See the note at 1Co 14:1. He that speaks under the influence of inspiration in the common language of his hearers. This seems to be the difference between those who spoke in foreign languages and those who prophesied. Both were under the influence of the Holy Spirit; both might speak the same truths; both might occupy an equally important and necessary place in the church; but the language of the one was intelligible to the church, the other not; the one was designed to edify the church, the other to address those who spoke foreign tongues, or to give demonstration, by the power of speaking foreign languages, that the religion was from God.
Speaketh unto men - So as to be understood by those who were present.
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To edification - See the note at 1Co 10:8, note at 1Co 10:23. Speaks so as to enlighten and strengthen the church.
And exhortation - See the note at Rom 12:8. He applies and enforces the practical duties of religion, and urges motives for a holy life.
And comfort - Encouragement. That is, he presents the promises and the “hopes” of the gospel; the various considerations adapted to administer comfort in the time of trial. The other might do this, but it would be in a foreign language, and would be useless to the church.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On v5 St. Paul gives them further instructions how to make…
St. Paul gives them further instructions how to make a right use of these gifts, of prophesying, of interpreting, and especially of speaking tongues. He is far from condemning the gift of speaking tongues, in proper circumstances, but only the indiscreet use, or the abuse of it. This is evident by the 5th verse, I would have you all to speak with tongues, but rather to prophesy. He blames those assemblies and meetings, (ver. 23.) when all present speak tongues together, by which means, the infidels that came thither, and ought to be instructed, understood nothing. He permits at their meetings two or three (ver. 27.) to speak tongues, provided some other interpret them. He also orders, that only two or three prophets speak at a meeting, and by turns, to avoid confusion, that those present may be edified, exhorted, and instructed. (Witham)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv3–5 But--on the other hand.
But--on the other hand.
edification--of which the two principal species given are "exhortation" to remove sluggishness, "comfort" or consolation to remove sadness [BENGEL]. Omit "to."
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv3–5 3. Prophesieth—As the Spirit selects for its instruments the…
3. Prophesieth—As the Spirit selects for its instruments the persons most qualified by nature for its special work, so the individual naturally susceptible to presentiment would be gifted with the prophetic charism.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv4–5 4. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth…
4. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself] Not necessarily because he understands what he is saying, but because his spirit, stirred up by the Spirit of God, is led by the experience of the inward emotion to praise God. Estius. See 1Co_14:14.
but he that prophesieth edifieth the church] The profit of the brethren is ever St Paul’s object. Cf. 1Co_14:6; 1Co_14:12; ch. 1Co_6:12, &c. Prophecy is to be preferred to the gift of tongues because it is more directly useful. See note, ch. 1Co_12:28.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv3–5 (3) Edification, and exhortation, and comfort.—They communed with God…
(3) Edification, and exhortation, and comfort.—They communed with God by the speaking with tongues; they communed with the brethren by prophecy—building up, stirring up, cheering up, as each required.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv3–5 To edification, and exhortation, and comfort. The "to" should…
To edification, and exhortation, and comfort. The "to" should be omitted. His words build up the Christian soul, by rousing its efforts and consoling its sorrows. The "Son of prophecy" (Barnabas) is, as Stanley points out, also "a Son of consolation". (Act_4:36) "Support" (paraklesis) involves "comfort," i.e. strength and calm.
HOMILIES BY J.R. THOMSON Ver. 3.
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The purposes of prophesying.
There was a marked difference of judgment between St. Paul and his Corinthian converts with regard to the relative value of speaking with tongues and of prophesying. The Corinthians were disposed to set too high a value upon the more brilliant and startling girt; its novelty and singularity seem to have so impressed them with admiration that, in comparison with it, gifts which appealed to sober reason sank into insignificance. Paul, however, who himself spake with tongues, maintains the superiority of the rational and moral endowment over that which surprised the sense and dazzled the imagination. He does this most successfully by exhibiting in this verse the purposes of prophesying.
I EDIFICATION. A prophet is one who speaks from God and for God, to his fellow men. The prophets of the old covenant came before their fellow countrymen with messages which they prefaced by the declaration, "Thus saith the Lord." In the new dispensation, there seems to have been at first an order of prophets, but in addition to these there were many who upon occasion uttered forth the mind of God. Now, since human nature is dependent upon truth, upon spiritual motive, upon personal influence, for the realization of the designs of the Creator, it is dear that a true prophet is one who apprehends those designs, and seeks their accomplishment by means ordered by Divine wisdom. Character and moral life require building up, i.e. upon a divinely laid foundation, by the use of divinely provided material, so that the edifice may assume form, proportions, beauty, in consonance with the idea of the great Architect. Hence the importance given in the New Testament to that element in prophecy denominated edification. No individual can become full grown, no society can be at once progressive and secure, where this department of ministry is lacking.
II EXHORTATION. It must never be forgotten that the communication of knowledge is not the whole of ministry; that religion is not altogether a matter of the intellect; that human life is not simply one long lesson. Man is so framed that he is bound to action, and that he needs inducements, directions, encouragement, with a view to such action as shall be acceptable to his Maker and Saviour. Especially do the young, and converts whose principles are not fully formed, whose habits are not yet established, need frequent admonition. St. Paul reminds us that this also is part of the prophetic office and ministry.
III CONSOLATION. If the necessity of exhortation follows upon the characteristics of human nature, the necessity of consolation arises from the circumstances of human life. Stronger than human philosophy, and tenderer, the consolations of Christian prophecy are able to bind up all wounds, and to cheer all sad and downcast hearts. T. HOMILIES BY R. TUCK Ver. 3.
Christian prophesying.
In our day a "prophet" is one who predicts future events, but in the older times the word included much more than that. Old Testament prophets were religious teachers who revealed the will of God, and expounded the Word of God. Moses was a prophet, but his chief work was religious teaching. John the Baptist was a prophet, but he appeared as a preacher of repentance and of righteousness. New Testament prophets were the teachers or preachers of the Word men to whom God had given special insight into his Divine truth, and a happy faculty of imparting that truth to others. The verse now before us describes the proper results that are to be reached by the prophecy, or ministry, of the Word. The gift of prophesying, or preaching, is the most useful and most practical of all the gifts. Other gifts direct attention to the man who possesses them; this gift makes a man a blessing to others, for he may speak to "edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
I THE PROPER SPHERE OF THE CHRISTIAN PROPHET. Theoretically our pastors are separated unto the ministry of the Word; practically the office is very sadly confused, and our pastors are brought into the most hindering and injurious contact with common worldly things and inferior Church duties. The Pauline idea is, that God has bestowed a variety of gifts upon his Church, and the true conception of his Church is only realized when each man uses faithfully his own gift without interfering with the gifts of others. The work of the Christian pastor is precisely this by teaching and preaching to cultivate the spiritual life of believers.They should nourish so high and so vigorous a life and activity in the members of the Church as that each one might become, in his place, a light of God, a power for God; each one, in his own way, a holy force bringing in other souls to Christ. It does not matter what other work a pastor may do well, whether it be visiting or governing or writing, he is not faithful to his call and to his office unless by preaching he can speak to men "unto edification, and exhortation, and comfort." It would be a time of holiest revival for the Church of Christ, if her ministers might say, "For all other forms of work, look you out men from amongst you, full of the Holy Ghost and of faith, but we will give ourselves to the Word of the Lord and to prayer." If ministers could be more truly separated to their own proper work, they would bring, out of the deserts of holy stillness and quiet, the most heart stirring views of truth and the noblest spiritual influences. Moses came forth in power from the lonely wilderness. Elijah burst out as a sudden flash of Divine fire from the privacies and hidings of the desert. Our Lord himself had a scene of lonely stillness and struggle on the threshold of his ministry, and his story tells of nights on the desolate mountain brow, or in the shady garden outside the city. The Christian prophet can only come forth aright into his sphere, if he dwells in the "secret place of the Most High, and abides under the shadow of the Almighty.
II THE PROPER INFLUENCE OF THE CHRISTIAN PROPHET WITHIN HIS SPHERE. His sphere is the Church. He is to be a spiritual power upon its members. That is work enough for any man. To do it aright he must know all the forms and influences of human sorrow; he must understand, and find the antidote for, all the subtleties, devices, and diseases of temptation and of evil; he must win the power to sympathize in every joy that gladdens, and in every sorrow that clouds, the Christian heart. He must be able keenly, critically, to estimate the spirit of the age, "the signs of the times," the tone of social, moral, and religions life, so as to judge aright of the atmosphere in which Christian life has to be lived. He must have a wide acquaintance with the history of Christian thought, and with the books exerting present influence upon the Christian mind. He must be deeply read in the mystery and meaning of God"s great Book, so that, "like a scribe instructed to the kingdom, he may bring forth out of his treasury things new and old." Surely all this is a full life-work for any man. Observe the specific terms by which St. Paul describes the Christian prophet"s influence.
1. Edification a term bearing immediate relation to Christian growth. There is to be growth, under pastoral influence, in knowledge, in character,
2. in the great grace of self denial, in control over the bad passions and inclinations of a corrupt nature, and growth in practical devotedness to all works of charity. Upbuilding on all these sides must be continued, if the plan of the Divine Architect is to be seen gaining completion in the temple of our life.
3. Exhortation a term bearing relation to Christian dangers, failings, and temptations. Warnings, revelations of the evils of sin, searching pictures of the common experience of frail men, calls to neglected duties these are "exhortations," and a faithful ministry must deal largely with them. It must reach the worldly minded, the almost drunken, the man whose hands are stained with dishonest or ungenerous deeds, the injurer of the widow and the fatherless, the selfish, the proud, the unforgiving. He must "warn all the wicked from the error of their way.
4. Comfort a term bearing relation to Christian sorrows. The pastor"s words are to be holy words of quiet, tender memories of past goodnesses, gentle whispers of the stability of the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, which may lift suffering souls up to their rest in the bosom of the heavenly Father, and lull the tired heart into a sweet sleep upon the "everlasting arms." What would Christian life be without its comfortings? It is no little thing that our pastors can bring balm for wounded hearts; leaves for the healing of bruised hearts; whispers of the eternal love for doubting hearts; and upliftings for downcast, tear-filled eyes, so that they may see the great High Priest "touched with the feeling of our infirmities," and "tempted even as we are. R.T.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv3–5 3. He that prophesieth. To prophesy means more than…
3. He that prophesieth. To prophesy means more than to foretell. It is to declare the will of God under a divine impulse. When Peter spoke on Pentecost, he did the work of a New Testament prophet. In this formative period of the church, before the New Testament was written, it was needful that there be these inspired guides in the churches. Unto men edification. Instruction, and strengthening.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
William B. Godbey 1900 · Public Domain On vv3, 5 3. “He that prophesieth speaketh to men edification, exhortation…
3. “He that prophesieth speaketh to men edification, exhortation and comfort.” Never forget this broad and comprehensive inspired definition of prophesying; you see it simply means talking for Jesus, whether to one or a thousand, telling them the way of salvation as revealed in the Bible, exhorting them to flee the wrath to come and make sure of Heaven, and comforting the brokenhearted with God’s precious and infallible promises.
William B. Godbey, Commentary on the New Testament (1896–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
J. W. McGarvey 1914 · Public Domain On vv3–5 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and…
But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation .
J. W. McGarvey (with Philip Y. Pendleton), Commentaries on the New Testament (The Fourfold Gospel, 1914; Acts; and the epistles) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v5 The one who prophesies is greater
The one who prophesies is greater
Paul is emphasizing that the gift of prophecy is greater than the gift of speaking in tongues. AT: "The one who prophesies has a greater gift" (See: Synecdoche)
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interprets
This means to tell what someone has said in a language to others who do not understand that language. See how this is translated in 1 Corinthians 2:13.
how will I benefit you?
This can be a statement. AT: "I will not benefit you." or "I will not have done anything that helps you." (See: Rhetorical Question)
translationWords
tongue
prophet
church
reveal
know
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v4 14:4 The primary purpose of spiritual gifts is not…
14:4 The primary purpose of spiritual gifts is not self-edification, but the strengthening of the entire church (see 12:7; cp. 8:1; 14:12).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.