The two halves of this verse respectively sum up verses 2 and 3. Verse 4a, up to the word himself, is equivalent to verse 2. Verse 4b, from the phrase but he who, introduces the keyword that is traditionally translated church. This keyword has not been used since 12.28. In this passage it is clear that church refers to the local Christian community, an actual assembly of Christians (see especially verse 23). Barrett therefore translates “the assembled company.” If the word that translators in a particular language have used for church refers mainly to a building, it may be better to translate the word in a way similar to Barrett “the assembled group of believers,” or “… group of Christians”; New Jerusalem Bible “the community”; Revised English Bible “the Christian community.”

Tongue: see the comments on 1 Cor. 14.2.

Prophesies here refers to “proclaiming God’s word.”

On edifies, see comments on 8.1.

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .