1 Corinthians 14:5

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

I wish that all of you spoke in tongues, but I would rather you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless they interpret so that the church may be built up.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Θέλω δὲ πάντας ὑμᾶς λαλεῖν γλώσσαις, μᾶλλον δὲ ἵνα προφητεύητε: μείζων γὰρ ὁ προφητεύων ἢ ὁ λαλῶν γλώσσαις, ἐκτὸς εἰ μὴ διερμηνεύει, ἵνα ἡ ἐκκλησία οἰκοδομὴν λάβῃ.

Transliteration

Thelō de pantas hymas lalein glōssais, mallon de hina prophēteuēte: meizōn gar the prophēteuōn ē the lalōn glōssais, ektos ei mē diermēneuei, hina the ekklēsia oikodomēn labē.

Grammar Details

• *Thelō*: present indicative, 1st singular - I wish/desire/want
• *de*: postpositive particle - but/and/now
• *pantas*: accusative, masculine, plural - all
• *hymas*: accusative, plural - you [plural]
• *lalein*: present infinitive - to speak
• *glōssais*: dative, feminine, plural - with/in tongues/languages
• *mallon*: adverb - rather/more/preferably
• *hina*: conjunction - that/so that [purpose]
• *prophēteuēte*: present subjunctive, 2nd plural - you may prophesy
• *meizōn*: nominative, masculine, singular, comparative - greater
• *gar*: postpositive conjunction - for/because [explanatory]
• *prophēteuōn*: present participle, nominative, masculine, singular - prophesying/one who prophesies
• *ē*: conjunction - than/or
• *lalōn*: present participle, nominative, masculine, singular - speaking/one who speaks
• *ektos*: adverb/preposition - except/unless/apart from
• *ei*: conjunction - if
• *mē*: negative particle - not
• *diermēneuei*: present indicative, 3rd singular - interprets/translates
• *ekklēsia*: nominative, feminine, singular - church/assembly/congregation
• *oikodomēn*: accusative, feminine, singular - edification/building up
• *labē*: aorist subjunctive, 3rd singular - might receive/get/take

Word Meanings

• *Thelō*: wish/desire/want/will
• *glōssais*: tongues/languages [possibly supernatural languages]
• *prophēteuēte*: prophesy/speak forth God's message/speak under divine inspiration
• *meizōn*: greater/larger/more important
• *diermēneuei*: interprets/translates/explains
• *ekklēsia*: church/assembly/congregation/gathering
• *oikodomēn*: edification/building up/strengthening/construction
• *labē*: receive/get/take/obtain

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  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.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  I wish that you all spoke with tongues, but rather that you prophesied; for greater is he who prophesies than he who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  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.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  Now I would{G2309} have you{G5209} all{G3956} speak{G2980} with tongues,{G1100} but{G1161} rather{G3123} that{G2443} ye should prophesy:{G4395} and{G1063} greater{G3187} is he that{G3588} prophesieth{G4395} than{G2228} he that{G3588} speaketh{G2980} with tongues,{G1100} except{G1487} {G3361} he interpret,{G1329} that{G2443} the church{G1577} may receive{G2983} edifying.{G3619}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  {G1161} I would{G2309}{(G5719)} that ye{G5209} all{G3956} spake{G2980}{(G5721)} with tongues{G1100}, but{G1161} rather{G3123} that{G2443} ye prophesied{G4395}{(G5725)}: for{G1063} greater{G3187} is he that prophesieth{G4395}{(G5723)} than{G2228} he that speaketh{G2980}{(G5723)} with tongues{G1100}, except{G1622}{G1508} he interpret{G1329}{(G5725)}, that{G2443} the church{G1577} may receive{G2983}{(G5632)} edifying{G3619}.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  I wolde that ye all spake with tonges: but rather that ye prophesied. For greater is he that prophisieth? then he yt speaketh with tonges except he expounde it also that the congregacion maye have edifyinge.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  I wolde that ye all spake with tunges, but rather that ye prophecied. For greater is he that prophecieth, then he that speaketh wt tuges: excepte he also expounde it, that the congregacion maye haue edifienge.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  I would that ye all spake strange languages, but rather that ye prophecied: for greater is hee that prophecieth, then hee that speaketh diuers tongues, except hee expounde it, that the Church may receiue edification.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  I woulde yt ye al spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: For greater is he that prophesieth, then he that speaketh with tongues, except he expounde it, that the Churche may haue edifiyng.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  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.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather 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.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  and I wish you all to speak with tongues, and more that ye may prophecy, for greater is he who is prophesying than he who is speaking with tongues, except one may interpret, that the assembly may receive edification.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  Now though it is my desire for you all to have the power of tongues, it would give me more pleasure to be hearing the prophet's word from you; for this is a greater thing than using tongues, if the sense is not given at the same time, for the good of the church.

• World English Bible (2000)

  Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather 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.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  I wish you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be strengthened.

Referenced Verses

• 1 Cor 12:10 : 10 to another, miraculous powers; to another, prophecy; to another, distinguishing between spirits; to another, different kinds of tongues; to another, the interpretation of tongues.
• Mark 16:17 : 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name, they will cast out demons, and they will speak in new tongues.
• 1 Cor 13:1 : 1 If I speak in the tongues of people and of angels, but do not have love, I am like a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
• 1 Cor 13:4 : 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
• 1 Cor 14:1 : 1 Pursue love, and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.
• 1 Cor 14:3-4 : 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and comfort. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up themselves, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.
• 1 Cor 14:12-13 : 12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in building up the church. 13 Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.
• 1 Cor 14:18-40 : 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church, I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. 20 Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in regard to evil, but in your thinking be mature. 21 In the Law it is written: 'By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me,' says the Lord. 22 Thus, tongues are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign, not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if everyone is prophesying and an unbeliever or uninitiated person enters, they are convicted of sin by all and are examined by all. 25 The secrets of their heart are revealed, and they will fall facedown and worship God, exclaiming, 'God is truly among you!' 26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let it be two or at most three, each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep silent in the church and speak to themselves and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others evaluate what is said. 30 If something is revealed to another sitting there, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that everyone may learn and be encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. 34 Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak but must be in submission, as the law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home, for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. 36 Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37 If anyone considers themselves to be a prophet or spiritually gifted, let them acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are the Lord’s commands. 38 But if anyone ignores this, let them remain ignorant. 39 So then, brothers and sisters, eagerly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
• Num 11:28-29 : 28 Then Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses' assistant since his youth, spoke up and said, 'My lord Moses, stop them!' 29 But Moses replied, 'Are you jealous on my behalf? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put His Spirit on them!'
• 1 Cor 12:28-30 : 28 And God has placed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, guidance, and different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?