1 Corinthians 14:4

14:4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, ¹  but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

1 Corinthians 14:17

14:17 For you are certainly giving thanks well, but the other person is not strengthened.

1 Corinthians 10:23

Live to Glorify God

10:23 “Everything is lawful,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is lawful,” ²  but not everything builds others up. ³ 

1 Corinthians 8:1

Food Sacrificed to Idols

8:1 With regard to food sacrificed to idols, we know that “we all have knowledge.” ⁴  Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

1 Corinthians 8:10

8:10 For if someone weak sees you who possess knowledge dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience be “strengthened” ⁵  to eat food offered to idols?

[14:4]  ¹ sn The Greek term builds (himself) up does not necessarily bear positive connotations in this context.

[10:23]  ² sn “Everything is lawful.” Here again Paul cites certain slogans the Corinthians used to justify their behavior (cf. 6:12-13; 7:1; 8:1, 4). Paul agrees with the slogans in part, but corrects them to show how the Corinthians have misused these ideas.

[10:23]  ³ tn Grk “builds up.” The object “others” is not expressed but is implied, as v. 24 shows. Paul picks up a theme he introduced at the start of this section of the letter (8:1).

[8:1]  ³ sn “We all have knowledge.” Here and in v. 4 Paul cites certain slogans the Corinthians apparently used to justify their behavior (cf. 6:12-13; 7:1; 10:23). Paul agrees with the slogans in part, but corrects them to show how the Corinthians have misused these ideas.

[8:10]  ⁴ tn Or “built up”; This is the same word used in v. 1b. It is used ironically here: The weak person is “built up” to commit what he regards as sin.