| 3. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the article–conjunction sequence ho de {ὁ δὲ | ho dè}, where the postpositive de {δὲ | dè} introduces a contrast to the preceding discussion of uninterpreted tongues. The participle prophēteuōn {προφητεύων | prophēteúōn} functions substantively, yielding the sense “the one who prophesies,” and serves as the grammatical subject of the finite verb lalei {λαλεῖ | laleî} “speaks.” The dative anthrōpois {ἀνθρώποις | anthrṓpois} marks the indirect object or audience of the speech, highlighting that prophecy is directed toward people rather than toward God alone. The verb lalei governs three coordinated accusative nouns—oikodomēn {οἰκοδομὴν | oikodomḗn}, paraklēsin {παράκλησιν | paráklēsin}, and paramythian {παραμυθίαν | paramythían}—linked by repeated kai {καὶ | kaí}, producing a rhythmic triad that delineates the effects of prophecy: building up, exhorting, and consoling. Semantically, these accusatives can be understood as accusatives of result or content, specifying what prophetic speech produces in its hearers. English rendering requires turning the participial subject into a finite clause (“the one who prophesies”) and making the accusatives the objects of an expressed preposition (“for edification and exhortation and consolation”) or an infinitival purpose construction (“to strengthen, encourage, and comfort”), both of which retain the focus on the communal benefit of prophecy. |