By Pastor Dave Farmer
Numbers in brackets [ ] refer to the Strong's numbering system whereby Greek words are assigned a number "Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship." Those who study the Scripture from the original languages are familiar with this lexicon.
1 Corinthians 14:4
The one who is communicating [during the pre-canon period] in a tongue [in a foreign language], he is edifying himself, but the one who is prophesying, he is edifying a church.
4a] ὁ λαλῶν γλώσσῃ ἑαυτὸν οἰκοδομεῖ· "The one who is communicating [during the pre-canon period] in a tongue [in a foreign language], he is edifying himself,"
We begin with a participial phrase. As in verse three when the participle has an article but is not modifying a noun the construction is called substantival. In fact, it is the subject of the sentence. We know this for both article and participle are in the same case, the nominative singular masculine and the subject is placed in the nominative case. In this type of format, the article acts as a relative pronoun, and we translate it THE ONE WHO. Next is the present active participle nominative singular of LALEO [2980] meaning THE ONE WHO IS COMMUNICATING.
The present active indicative 3rd person singular of LALEO [2980] meaning TO SAY, TO SPEAK, TO COMMUNICATE is a descriptive present illustrating what is now occurring and of urgent concern to the Apostle, THE ONE WHO IS COMMUNICATING.
Next is the instrumental of manner from the noun GLOSSA [1100], IN A TONGUE [IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE]. The example is a believer communicating to the congregation through the spiritual gift of tongues.
Then we have the present active indicative 3rd person singular of OIKODOMEO [3618] which means TO BUILD UP, TO EDIFY, TO SPIRITUALLY ADVANCE, meaning HE IS EDIFYING. Paul continues with the descriptive present illustrating what is now occurring at Corinth. The indicative mood explains that this is really happening, not will maybe happen.
Also the accusative singular masculine form of the reflexive pronoun HEAUTOU [1438] meaning HIMSELF.
4b] ὁ δὲ προφητεύων ἐκκλησίαν οἰκοδομεῖ. "but the one who is prophesying, he is edifying a church."
The final phrase begins with the adversative use of the postpositive conjunction DE [1161]. It contrasts with the first statement "he is edifying himself" with the second "he is edifying a church."
Paul changes the illustration to prophesy, but he uses the same structure. We start with the articular participle PROPHETEUO [4395] as the subject of the relative clause. As above, when the participle has an article but is not modifying a noun the construction is called substantival. It is the subject of the sentence. We know this for both article and participle are in the same case, the nominative singular masculine and the subject is placed in the nominative. In this type of format, the article acts as a relative pronoun, and we translate it THE ONE WHO. Next is the present active participle nominative singular of PROPHETEUO [4395] meaning THE ONE WHO IS PROPHESYING. This is another descriptive present meant to add vividness to the picture that he is painting.
He follows the same pattern. The present active indicative 3rd person singular of OIKODOEMEO [3618] which means TO BUILD UP, TO EDIFY, TO SPIRITUALLY ADVANCE. Paul continues with the descriptive present illustrating what is now occurring at Corinth. The indicative mood explains that this is really happening, not will maybe happen, HE IS EDIFYING.
The direct object follows which is the accusative singular of EKKLESIA [1577] meaning CHURCH. There is no article even though the translators added one, THE CHURCH. Although this is a possible translation, assuming Paul is referring to the church at Corinth, I believe it is better to regard the absence of the article is Paul way of telling us this principle applies to every church.