John Gill Commentary 1 Corinthians 14:3

"But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation." — 1 Corinthians 14:3 (ASV)

But he that prophesieth Preaches, prays, or sings, in a language understood by the common people.

speaks unto men to edification ; to the building of them up in Christ, and on their most holy faith, so that they grow up as an holy temple to the Lord: and exhortation; to the more vigorous exercise of grace, and the more cheerful and fervent discharge of duty.

and comfort ; of distressed minds, either through the temptations of Satan, or divine desertions, or inward corruptions, or outward afflictions; for all which ends and purposes the Scriptures are written, and gifts are bestowed on men to explain them; and which ends are answered when God gives a blessing to the word; but can never be expected, if delivered in a language not understood. This bears hard upon the Papists performing any part of divine worship in a language unintelligible to the common people.