Neville Goddard on 1 Corinthians 14:2-4 - Mystical Bible Interpretation

Read 1 Corinthians 14 in context

Scripture Focus

2For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

3But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

4He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

1 Corinthians 14:2-4

Biblical Context

The passage contrasts unknown tongues spoken to God with prophecy spoken to people for edification: tongues edify the speaker, while prophecy edifies the church. It invites you to see your inner speech as both private communion and public blessing.

Neville's Inner Vision

To Paul’s words I whisper in the mind: the unknown tongue is not for the room but for the I AM within; it is the language of the Spirit, wherein you converse with God and unveil mysteries that the outer mind cannot grasp. In this light, speaking in an unknown tongue is the private worship of your inner shrine, edifying your own consciousness as you align with the divine I AM. Prophesying, by contrast, becomes the outward act of your inner truth—spoken in a way that edifies, exhorts, and consoles the whole self you call the church. When you choose to yield to inner guidance and to articulate what would strengthen your inner community, you are prophesying; when you keep the inner words only to yourself, you are building the temple within. The true church is your own state of consciousness; its growth is the revival of faith, hope, and love within. Do not seek the world’s understanding for your inner speech; the moment you accept that God is your I AM, the entire world will answer from within as your life mirrors that blessing.

Practice This Now

Assume you are already speaking by the Spirit in private; revise a current worry into a blessing for your inner church, and feel it real by hearing the inward message as if delivered to you.