1 Corinthians14:3

Previous Verse Next Verse

Translation

However, the one who prophecies speaks to men [for] building [them] up,

Go to footnote number

and [for] coming along side

Go to footnote number

[them] and [for] comfort [to them.

Go to footnote number

Paraphrase

In contrast, the one who has been given the grace-filled gift of prophesying speaks openly to other people in order to edify, encourage, and comfort them.

Footnotes

1: "building up”

This word comes from their word for house and refers to building a house. It is used figuratively of building up one another by speaking words of encouragement

2: “come alongside”

This is the word that is used of the Holy Spirit in John chapter 16 when He is described as “the one who comes alongside us to comfort us and assure us, the one who is close to us, and the one who serves as our legal advocate” The word has legal overtones. He is our defense attorney on spiritual matters and comforts us with the assurance that the accusations made against us have no grounds because we have accepted the blood of Jesus to cover our sinful acts.

3: "comfort”

This word means “to speak closely.”