1 Corinthians 14:5

Now though it is my desire for you all to have the power of tongues, it would give me more pleasure to be hearing the prophet's word from you; for this is a greater thing than using tongues, if the sense is not given at the same time, for the good of the church.

Bible in Basic English

In The King James Version

I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

In Context

4He who makes use of tongues may do good to himself; but he who gives the prophet's word does good to the church.

6But, now, my brothers, if I come to you using tongues, what profit will it be to you, if I do not give you a revelation, or knowledge, or the word of the prophet, or teaching?

Read all of 1 Corinthians 14

Cross References

Numbers 11:28Then Joshua, the son of Nun, who had been Moses' servant from the time when he was a child, said, My lord Moses, let them be stopped.

1 Corinthians 12:10And to another the power of working wonders; and to another the prophet's word; and to another the power of testing spirits; to another different sorts of tongues; and to another the power of making clear the sense of the tongues:

1 Corinthians 13:1If I make use of the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am like sounding brass, or a loud-tongued bell.

1 Corinthians 14:1Go after love; still desiring to have the things which the Spirit gives, but most of all that you may have the prophet's power.

1 Corinthians 14:12So if you are desiring the things which the Spirit gives, let your minds be turned first to the things which are for the good of the church.

Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 14:2-6

On Spiritual Gifts. ( a. d. 57.) 1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather… Read the whole commentary →

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