What’s Better? Edifying Yourself or Edifying Others?

Paul answers this question in 1 Corinthians 14. In fact agape love is all about edifying others. But some have turned this chapter on its head and claimed that it is all about self-edification!

A. Agape love is towards others in the matter of spiritual gifts
1 Follow after charity [agape love], and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

B. Those who speak in tongues DO NOT edify others
2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

C. Paul would rather have everyone prophesy
5 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.

D. Only that which can be understood is profitable in the church
6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? 7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? 8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? 9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.

E. When a language cannot be understood, the speakers appear as barbarians
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. 11Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

F. Those zealous of spiritual gifts must seek to edify the church
12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

G. There must always be interpretation when tongues are spoken
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? 17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

H. Paul compares prophesy with tongues and it is shocking!
18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. 20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

I. Tongues were a sign for unbelieving Jews
21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. 22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. 23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: 25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

J. Limitations on tongues spelled out clearly
26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

K. Limitations on prophets spelled out clearly
29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

L. Women to remain silent during worship
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

M. The ignorant can remain ignorant
36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? 37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

*sigh*

It's quite simple: edification is GOOD. Edification is building up. We use a different form of the word, "edifice", as a synonym for "building" or "structure".

As Jude 20-21 says, "Building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God...." The Greek word for "building yourselves up" here uses the same root as "edifies" in 1 Corinthians 14.

So, if you are "building yourself up" by speaking in a Spirit-empowered tongue, you are doing a good thing. Is building up the rest of the body "better"? Yes, but that is not always possible. We pray... on our own. We study... on our own. We fast... on our own. We give... on our own (that is, privately). All these actions build US up in our walk with the Lord, so it's not wrong at all to speak in tongues as well.

As for "barbarians", the word simply means "foreigners". Most of us have actual foreigners in our congregations; they're not that scary.

I don't know

are we building a grand edifice on half a foundation or are we going for it?

I might not be a family member of the late great Einstein, but it seems to me you have to edify yourself first before you can breach the wall for others

then again, I'm not the best follower

don't let the mixed metaphors scare you away. I'm almost harmless

every single church that allows women to sing or say hello in church are is being directly disobedient then, according to the Bible

I think women should just stay home. at least there they can say thank you Jesus without being under condemnation and putting the entire congregation at risk of loosing salvation

well people say that, but then they don't prophesy either

right

it does seem like most if not many, would rather just talk to the folks then address God

I mean where is Moses when you need him

then that proves that a person must first edify themself!

a breakthrough!

now we are getting somewhere

smh

y'all keep trying to shut the Holy Spirit up and it didn't work then and it ain't gonna work now

He's like the wind...remember? blows where He will and you don't see Him coming but yah know, you can tell when He leaves

s'long

I will say this though....I think the door of opportunity is closing. I mean how would you feel if you had someone who truly loved you very very much to the point of dying for you and you rejected what He wanted to give you so that you could know Him better and understand the will of the Father and be changed into His likeness and be with Him at the end?

religion can and will run on its own though, so most will not even notice the difference

the thread is completely out of context. I was like wow just a bunch of axes to grind and it was not edifying to read.

Yeah,sorry. I was able to get rid of my post!😁

But is that what Paul was teaching in 1 Corinthians 14 or was he saying that if you are going to express the love of God, then you must edify others? Christ said that He came not to be ministered unto (served), but to minister (serve). So Christians must serve others through the spiritual gifts.

I see that CS1 thinks that presenting Scripture is funny. So if that's the case, he has a very serious problem.

Is that what you get from that passage, or are you simply being sarcastic because it has hit a nerve?

Why is it out of context? The context is addressing the issue of turning this passage of Scripture on its head instead of interpreting it properly. The only axe to grind is to show Christians the truth that is already there, but is being twisted to suit some agenda. So what exactly did you find so funny? Or do you thing it is ridiculous to put others above yourself?

For that you must go into the text. There is no meant not to sing or say hallo.
It has to to with that what is taught there.
According the text.

Well, it not be a must that someone itself must edify himself before he can edify others. Its an attitude. And its also an gift.

Well, word of God is edifying, but its difficult if someone is not agree with it.

I think your presentation scripture is funny and out of context.

no, it is not.

I am somewhat amazed you do not seem to see that a person cannot pass anything on if they do not first achieve it or learn it themself

you disagree with speaking in tongues and therefore you disagree with the fact that a person is edified when they pray in tongues

in fact, how can you understand how the gifts work at all if you choose to leave a few out?

if you want to be a teacher, you have to first learn what it is you want to teach...and I mean this in the sense of school...so how much more if you want to handle things of God? as it is, we are told not many should presume to teach

we are talking about gifts from God that are still being distributed....do people abuse the gifts? yes. do people who do not believe in the validity of the gifts abuse their positions? we all know they do

so here we are. at a crossroads for many