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1 Corinthians 14:5 — King James Version← Study notes

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.


1 Corinthians 14:5Greek Interlinear

Greek · 1 Corinthians 14:527 words
GreekMeaning
θέλωthelō
I desireverbG2309
δὲde
nowwordG1161
πάνταςpantas
alladjectiveG3956
ὑμᾶςhymas
youpronounG4771
λαλεῖνlalein
to speakverbG2980
γλώσσαιςglōssais
in tonguesnounG1100
μᾶλλονmallon
ratheradverbG3123
δὲde
howeverwordG1161
ἵναhina
thatwordG2443
προφητεύητεprophēteuēte
you may prophesyverbG4395
μείζωνmeizōn
greater isadjectiveG3173
δὲde
and / butwordG1161
ho
the onearticleG3588
προφητεύωνprophēteuōn
prophesyingverbG4395
ē
thanwordG2228
ho
the onearticleG3588
λαλῶνlalōn
speakingverbG2980
γλώσσαιςglōssais
in tonguesnounG1100
ἐκτὸςektos
exceptadverbG1622
εἰei
onlywordG1487
μὴ
unlessadverbG3361
διερμηνεύῃdiermēneuē
expound, interpret(-ation)verbG1329
ἵναhina
so thatwordG2443
thearticleG3588
ἐκκλησίαekklēsia
churchnounG1577
οἰκοδομὴνoikodomēn
edificationnounG3619
λάβῃlabē
may receiveverbG2983
Greek text from the SBL Greek New Testament (SBLGNT). Transliteration follows SBL Academic conventions.

Church Fathers on 1 Corinthians 14:5

“I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that you should prophesy: for greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, except he interpret, that the Church may receive edifying.” But “rather” and “greater,” do not mark opposition, but superiority. So that hence also it is evident that he is not disparaging the gift, but leading them to better things, displaying both his carefulness on their behalf, and a spirit free from all envy. For neither did…

Chrysostom · 4th century · Homily 35 on First Corinthians
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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