1 Corinthians 14:4 - Exposition

Edifieth himself. When the "tongue" was genuine, and under due control ( 1 Corinthians 14:32 ); when it avoided the physical and orgiastic manifestations by which a sort of spiritual possession was indicated in the ancient oracular shrines; when the self consciousness was not wholly obliterated,—a sense of ennobling conviction would be produced by this spiritual outpouring. Those who have experienced the emotion describe this very result. They felt enlarged and elevated—their whole being was for a time expanded—by this emotion. The Church . Primarily the body of assembled Christians which he is addressing, and through them the Church of God in general.