1 Corinthians 14:4

New International Reader's Version

Anyone who speaks in other languages builds up only themselves. But the person who prophesies builds up the church.

Cross References

Mark 16:17

Here are the miraculous signs that those who believe will do. In my name they will drive out demons. They will speak in languages they had not known before.

Romans 14:19

So let us do all we can to live in peace. And let us work hard to build up one another.

1 Corinthians 12:10

To others he gives the power to do miracles. To others he gives the ability to prophesy. To others he gives the ability to tell the spirits apart. To others he gives the ability to speak in different kinds of languages they had not known before. And to still others he gives the ability to explain what was said in those languages.

1 Corinthians 12:28

First, God has placed apostles in the church. Second, he has placed prophets in the church. Third, he has placed teachers in the church. Then he has given to the church miracles and gifts of healing. He also has given the gift of helping others and the gift of guiding the church. God also has given the gift of speaking in different kinds of languages.

1 Corinthians 13:1

Suppose I speak in the languages of human beings or of angels. If I don’t have love, I am only a loud gong or a noisy cymbal.

1 Corinthians 13:2

Suppose I have the gift of prophecy. Suppose I can understand all the secret things of God and know everything about him. And suppose I have enough faith to move mountains. If I don’t have love, I am nothing at all.

1 Corinthians 14:12

It’s the same with you. You want the gifts of the Spirit. So try to do your best in using gifts that build up the church.

1 Corinthians 14:22

So speaking in other languages is a sign for those who don’t believe. It is not a sign for those who do believe. But prophecy is not for those who don’t believe. It is for those who believe.

1 Corinthians 14:26

Brothers and sisters, what should we say then? When you come together, each of you brings something. You bring a hymn or a teaching or a message from God. You bring a message in another language or explain what was said in that language. Everything must be done to build up the church.

1 Corinthians 14:3

But the person who prophesies speaks to people. That person prophesies to make people stronger, to give them hope, and to comfort them.

1 Corinthians 14:5

I would like all of you to speak in other languages. But I would rather have you prophesy. The person who prophesies is more helpful than those who speak in other languages. But that is not the case if someone explains what was said in the other languages. Then the whole church can be built up.