OET interlinear 1COR 14:4

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / genericnoun

ὁ λαλῶν γλώσσῃ & ὁ & προφητεύων

the_‹one› speaking ˱in˲_/a/_tongue & the_‹one› & prophesying

Here, just as in 14:2–3, Paul is speaking of people “prophesying” and people “speaking in tongues” in general, not of two particular people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this form with a form that refers to people in general. Alternate translation: “Anyone who speaks in a tongue … anyone who prophesies”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἑαυτὸν οἰκοδομεῖ & ἐκκλησίαν οἰκοδομεῖ

himself /is/_building & /the/_assembly /is/_building

Just as in 14:3, Paul here speaks as if believers were a building that one builds up. With this metaphor, he emphasizes that The one speaking in a tongue helps himself or herself become stronger and more mature, while the one prophesying helps other believers become stronger and more mature, just like the one who builds a house makes it strong and complete. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this figure of speech with a comparable metaphor or express the idea plainly. Alternate translation: “helps himself grow … helps the church grow” or “edifies himself … edifies the church”