1 Corinthians 14:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The expressions better and greater signify not opposition, but superiority.

From this it is also clear that he does not censure the gift, but guides his hearers toward what is better. He shows both his care for them and his soul, which is free from every envy.

He did not say, two or three. Rather, he said, "I desire that you all speak with tongues." And he desires not only this, but also that they prophesy. He desires the latter more than the former, "for he who prophesies is greater."

After he has explained and proved the matter, he declares his desire. Yet he does not do so simply, but adds, "unless he also interprets."

If he is capable of this too, that is, of interpretation, then, he says, he becomes equal to the prophet. For then many receive benefit. One must especially observe how in everything he seeks this benefit before all else.

"I desire that you all speak with tongues, but even more that you prophesy."

Since many among the Corinthians spoke in tongues, he says this so they would not think that he belittles tongues out of envy. I desire, he says, that you all speak, not merely one or two.

Yet I desire still more that you prophesy, because this is far more useful.

"For he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks in tongues, unless he also interprets, so that the Church may receive edification."

The prophet, he says, is higher. But he is higher than the man who only speaks in tongues and does not know how to explain. If he also knows how to explain, then he is equal to the prophet.

For through the explanation of what he says obscurely in a tongue, he edifies the Church. Explanation was also a gift. It was granted to some of those who spoke in tongues, and not granted to others.

I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but still more that you prophesied. For the one who prophesies is greater, by reason of the benefit he provides, than the one who speaks in tongues.

The Apostle could not forbid speaking in tongues, which he had already called a gift of the Holy Spirit. Rather, he urges greater zeal for prophecy, because the latter is more useful for the Church.

The Apostle clearly showed why he said “rather.” I do not diminish the gift, he says, but seek its usefulness. When there is no interpreter, prophecy is better, because it brings greater benefit.

“Greater is he who prophesies.” This superiority of the prophet over the speaker in a tongue is only conditional. The prophet was more useful and more edifying than the one speaking in a tongue, since the speaker in a tongue could edify only himself, while the prophet edified the whole Church.

Here the Apostle Paul shows the advantage that belongs to prophecy in comparison with tongues. It consists in this: whoever speaks in languages unknown to the assembly does not serve the edification of those gathered.

But whoever prophesies, that is, explains the subjects of faith, edifies the Church. The Stundists try to turn these apostolic thoughts, as also the thought of verse 19, into a reproach against the Slavonic language used in our divine services, since not all understand it.

But the Apostle Paul does not censure the gift of tongues. He speaks of it with respect: "he who speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not to men but to God," "he speaks mysteries in the Spirit," verse 2, and "edifies himself," verse 4.

In the fourteenth chapter, concerning two spiritual gifts in particular: prophecy and tongues.

The Apostle first discloses the superiority of the first gift over the second (1 Cor. 14:1-25). Then he instructs how each gift should be used in the Church (1 Cor. 14:26-38). Finally, he draws a concluding inference about these two gifts (1 Cor. 14:39-40).

The superiority of prophecy over tongues (1 Cor. 14:1-25).

1 Cor. 14:1-5. "He who speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not to men but to God" (the all-knowing God, 1 Cor. 14:2).

"But he who prophesies," that is, who intelligibly declares the will of God, not only concerning the future but also the past and present, "speaks to men for edification, exhortation, and consolation" (1 Cor. 14:3).

Therefore, "he who prophesies," which is the same as teaching, "is greater than he who speaks in tongues," that is, foreign languages, "unless he also interprets, so that the Church may receive edification" (1 Cor. 14:5).

Having shown in chapter 13 the general significance of the extraordinary gifts present in the Corinthian Church, the Apostle Paul now defines the comparative significance of prophecy and tongues. He points out the advantages of the first and teaches how it, and also tongues, should be used.

Some likely abused the gift of tongues, which was so highly valued among the Greeks. As the chief guide in the use of the gifts, the Apostle points to love. Love will show what is more beneficial for the members of the Church.

Christian zeal must direct everything so that what is spiritual has precedence over what is outward. From this it is clear that tongues, as a purely outward gift, must yield first place to prophecy.

Since there were many in Corinth who spoke in tongues, the Apostle defines more precisely his thought about the comparative worth of the gifts. He says: I am not a persecutor of tongues. May God grant that you all speak in tongues.

But I am considering what is better, and I desire the better for you, namely that you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than he who speaks in tongues. I desire the greater thing for you.

The one is greater than the other according to the benefit he brings to the Church. The one who speaks in tongues will stand equal to the prophet only if he explains in an intelligible language what he says in an unintelligible one.