Context No. 4050 of 4322 · 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 14:1-5: in context

1Follow after love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God, for no one understands, but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries. 3But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation. 4He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly. 5Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but even more that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up.

Paul gives a clear priority for the life of the church: pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, but especially those that build others up. He compares two gifts, tongues and prophecy, and his point is not to rank them for their own sake, but to show which serves the church better. The one who speaks in a tongue, he says, edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.

Two principles stand out. Love comes first. Pursue love, Paul says; before and above all the gifts, love is to be our aim, and the gifts are to serve love. And the gifts are given for building others up, not for our own display or private benefit. Paul especially values the gifts that edify the whole body, that strengthen, encourage, and comfort other people. There is a searching standard here for how we use whatever gifts and abilities we have been given. The question is not whether our gift is impressive or brings us attention, but whether it is used in love to build others up. God gives us gifts not for self-display but for the good of others, and the gift worth desiring above others is the one that serves and strengthens those around us.

Do I use my gifts and abilities not for my own display or benefit but, in love, to build others up, valuing above all the gifts that strengthen, encourage, and comfort those around me?

Sources

1 Corinthians 14:1: "Follow after love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy."
1 Corinthians 14:4: "He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly."
1 Corinthians 14:12: "Since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly."