Breakdown of 1 Corinthians 14:5

"Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up." — It's not about the loudness or spectacle of speaking in tongues, but about the purpose for the community. Paul flips the script, revealing that tongues without interpretation are less valuabl…

1 Corinthians 14:5 Meaning Explained

All verses

1 Corinthians 14:5

Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

English Standard Version (ESV)

It's not about the loudness or spectacle of speaking in tongues, but about the purpose for the community. Paul flips the script, revealing that tongues without interpretation are less valuable to the church than prophecy, because true spiritual gifts build up everyone, not just the speaker.

What 1 Corinthians 14:5 means

Paul is addressing the chaotic worship services in Corinth, where people were speaking in ecstatic, uninterpretable "tongues" without anyone understanding. He's explaining how spiritual gifts, like speaking in tongues and prophecy, should be used for the edification of the whole church, not just for individual expression. He emphasizes that prophecy, which is understandable speech, is generally more beneficial unless the tongues are interpreted to build everyone up.

The Gift's Purpose: Edification

Paul is all about encouraging the church to use their spiritual gifts. But what's the ultimate goal? It's not just about showing off a cool ability.

In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul is addressing how the church gathered to worship. There was a lot of excitement, perhaps some chaos, around spiritual gifts like speaking in tongues. Paul clarifies that the primary purpose of any spiritual gift being used in a public gathering is to build up, or edify, the entire community.

He contrasts speaking in tongues with prophecy. While tongues can be amazing, if no one understands what's being said, it doesn't help anyone else grow in faith. Prophecy, on the other hand, communicates a message from God that can instruct, encourage, and comfort believers, leading to their spiritual strengthening.

Ranking Gifts by Impact

Paul doesn't shy away from saying some gifts are 'greater' than others in certain contexts. What does this mean for how we view spiritual abilities?

Paul is practical here. He's not saying one gift is inherently better in God's eyes, but that some gifts have a more direct and obvious impact on the corporate worship and spiritual growth of the whole church. Speaking in tongues, while a genuine gift from God, can be a private experience or a public mystery if not interpreted.

Prophecy, by its nature, communicates intelligibly to everyone present. Therefore, in the context of a church gathering where the goal is shared understanding and building up the community, prophecy has a greater immediate benefit. The 'greater' status is tied to its effectiveness in achieving the communal goal of edification.

Understand the original words

Original language

interpretsδιερμηνεύω

diermeneuo · Greek Verb

The spiritual act of rendering an utterance given in tongues into a known language so that the assembly may understand and be edified.

Historical context

Written: Around 55-57 AD, during Paul's extended stay in Ephesus.
Author: The Apostle Paul, traditionally understood as the primary author.
Location: Written from Ephesus, a major city in the Roman province of Asia Minor.
Genre: Epistle (a letter), characterized by its direct address, practical instruction, and theological argumentation.

Historical background

The Corinthian church was experiencing a lot of excitement around the gift of speaking in tongues, likely seeing it as a sign of spiritual power. Paul is writing to them while they are facing these issues, guiding them to understand that the ultimate goal of any spiritual gift is the building up of the entire community, not just individual experience.

c. AD 33
Pentecost and the Gift of Tongues
The Holy Spirit is poured out on Jesus' followers in Jerusalem, empowering them with gifts including speaking in other languages (Acts 2). This event marks the birth of the church.
c. AD 48-49
Paul's First Missionary Journey
The Apostle Paul travels and plants churches throughout Asia Minor, encountering various cultures and spiritual practices.
c. AD 50-52
Founding of the Corinthian Church
Paul spends about 18 months in Corinth, establishing a diverse and often contentious Christian community.
c. AD 53-57— this verse
Paul's Imprisonment in Ephesus
While ministering in Ephesus, Paul likely writes letters to the Corinthian church addressing their many issues.

Key themes

01Spiritual gifts edify
02Prophecy builds up
03Understanding over tongues
04Church's needs prioritized

Cross-references

1 Corinthians 12:31

This passage immediately precedes chapter 14 and highlights the 'most excellent way' which Paul goes on to explain is love, but here he also points to the superior spiritual gifts like prophecy.

1 Corinthians 14:3

This verse directly explains why prophecy is considered greater: it builds up the church, whereas uninterpreted tongues only benefit the speaker.

1 Corinthians 14:12

This verse reinforces the idea of building up the church, stating that since the Corinthians are eager for spiritual gifts, they should seek those that build up the community.

1 Thessalonians 5:20

This verse echoes the value Paul places on prophecy, urging believers not to despise prophecies but to test everything and hold onto what is good.

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What 1 Corinthians 14:5 means

Historical context

Written: Around 55-57 AD, during Paul's extended stay in Ephesus.
Author: The Apostle Paul, traditionally understood as the primary author.
Location: Written from Ephesus, a major city in the Roman province of Asia Minor.
Genre: Epistle (a letter), characterized by its direct address, practical instruction, and theological argumentation.

Historical background

c. AD 33

Pentecost and the Gift of Tongues

The Holy Spirit is poured out on Jesus' followers in Jerusalem, empowering them with gifts including speaking in other languages (Acts 2). This event marks the birth of the church.

c. AD 48-49

Paul's First Missionary Journey

The Apostle Paul travels and plants churches throughout Asia Minor, encountering various cultures and spiritual practices.

c. AD 50-52

Founding of the Corinthian Church

Paul spends about 18 months in Corinth, establishing a diverse and often contentious Christian community.

c. AD 53-57— this verse

Paul's Imprisonment in Ephesus

While ministering in Ephesus, Paul likely writes letters to the Corinthian church addressing their many issues.