1 Corinthians 14:3 Meaning and Explanation
“But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Prophecy speaks to people directly, building them up, urging them on, and bringing them comfort.
What Does 1 Corinthians 14:3 Mean?
Set against the tongue that no one understands, prophecy is turned outward toward the gathered people. Paul names three things it accomplishes among them, framing what makes a spoken gift useful in the assembly.
Edification builds; exhortation calls forward; comfort steadies the weary. Each meets a person where they stand and lifts them toward God. This is the work love does with words. The gift is measured not by how impressive it sounds but by whether a brother walks away stronger, braver, and consoled, the very things Christ does for His own.
1 Corinthians 14:3 in the Original Language
paraklēsis (παράκλησις), 'exhortation' -- a coming alongside to encourage, the same root behind the Spirit's title as Comforter.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 14:3
What does 1 Corinthians 14:3 mean?
Prophecy speaks to people directly, building them up, urging them on, and bringing them comfort.