1 Corinthians 14:19

KJV

Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that [by my voice] I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an [unknown] tongue.

KJV (with Strong's)

Yet {G235} in {G1722} the church {G1577} I had rather {G2309} speak {G2980} five {G4002} words {G3056} with {G1223} my {G3450} understanding {G3563}, that {G2443} by my voice I might teach {G2727} others {G243} also {G2532}, than {G2228} ten thousand {G3463} words {G3056} in {G1722} an unknown tongue {G1100}.

Complete Jewish Bible

but in a congregation meeting I would rather say five words with my mind in order to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue!

Berean Standard Bible

But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

American Standard Version

howbeit in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 14:19, the Apostle Paul articulates a foundational principle for communication within the Christian assembly, prioritizing intelligible and edifying speech over a profusion of words that lack clarity. He emphatically states his preference for speaking a few understandable words that can teach and build up others in the church, rather than uttering countless words in an unintelligible tongue, thereby underscoring the supreme importance of comprehension and communal benefit in corporate worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal statement within Paul's extended discourse on spiritual gifts in [1 Corinthians chapters 12-14](/1_corinthians/12 "1 Corinthians 12-14 - Spiritual Gifts and Orderly Worship"). Having established the unity and diversity of gifts in [chapter 12](/1_corinthians/12 "1 Corinthians 12 - Unity and Diversity of Gifts") and the supremacy of love as the guiding principle in [chapter 13](/1_corinthians/13 "1 Corinthians 13 - The Way of Love"), Paul dedicates [chapter 14](/1_corinthians/14 "1 Corinthians 14 - Order in Worship") to the proper exercise of prophecy and tongues. He addresses the Corinthian church's apparent overemphasis on speaking in tongues without interpretation, which was leading to disorder and a lack of edification. Verse 19 serves as a concise summary of his argument, contrasting the practical value of intelligible teaching with the limited communal benefit of uninterpreted glossolalia, building on his earlier points about the purpose of gifts (e.g., [1 Corinthians 14:3-5](/1_corinthians/14-3-5 "1 Corinthians 14:3-5 - Prophecy vs. Tongues")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan hub known for its diverse religious practices and philosophical schools, many of which featured ecstatic utterances. The Corinthian church, a relatively young community, was grappling with spiritual immaturity and internal divisions, which manifested in their worship practices. Some members, perhaps influenced by the surrounding pagan culture or an enthusiastic but misguided understanding of spiritual power, were exercising the gift of tongues in a disorderly manner, without interpretation, leading to confusion. Paul's instruction aims to correct this disorder, emphasizing that Christian worship should be rational, orderly, and beneficial for all, in stark contrast to the chaotic or self-serving displays sometimes found in pagan cults or even within their own nascent Christian gatherings.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several key themes in 1 Corinthians. Foremost is the theme of **edification** (Greek: _oikodomē_), which means "building up" or "strengthening" the church, a concept Paul introduces in [1 Corinthians 14:3](/1_corinthians/14-3 "1 Corinthians 14:3 - Edification through Prophecy"). Paul consistently argues that all spiritual gifts, including tongues, must serve this purpose, not individual display or personal spiritual experience alone. Another crucial theme is **intelligibility and understanding** (_noûs_). Paul insists that communication in the church must be comprehensible to foster learning and spiritual growth. This directly relates to the theme of **order and decency in worship**, which culminates in his command in [1 Corinthians 14:40](/1_corinthians/14-40 "1 Corinthians 14:40 - Let all things be done decently and in order"). Ultimately, these themes are subsumed under the overarching principle of **love** ([1 Corinthians 13:1-13](/1_corinthians/13-1-13 "1 Corinthians 13 - The Supremacy of Love")), as true love for one's fellow believers will always prioritize their spiritual benefit and understanding.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **church (Greek, _ekklēsía'_):** From a compound of `ek` ("out of") and a derivative of `kaléō` ("to call"), meaning "a calling out." It refers concretely to a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation. In this context, it specifically denotes the Christian community gathered for worship, highlighting that Paul's instructions are for the corporate assembly, not private spiritual experience.
* **understanding (Greek, _noûs'_):** Probably from the base of `ginōskō` ("to know"), referring to the intellect, mind, or meaning. Paul emphasizes the use of the rational faculty, implying that spiritual communication should engage the mind of both the speaker and the hearer, leading to comprehension and instruction rather than mere emotional or ecstatic expression.
* **tongue (Greek, _glōssa'_):** Of uncertain affinity, referring to the physical tongue; by implication, a language, especially one naturally unacquired. In the context of 1 Corinthians 14, it refers to the spiritual gift of speaking in languages unknown to the speaker, which, without interpretation, remains unintelligible to the congregation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding":** Paul begins with a strong adversative "yet" (G235, _allá_), contrasting his preferred practice with the Corinthians' apparent disorder. The phrase "in the church" (G1722, _en_ + G1577, _ekklēsía_) explicitly situates his preference within the public worship gathering. His choice "I had rather" (G2309, _thélō_) signifies a deliberate, active preference, indicating what he deems more valuable and beneficial. The "five words" (G4002, _pénte_ + G3056, _lógos_) serve as a deliberate understatement, a rhetorical device to highlight the qualitative superiority of even minimal intelligible speech. The crucial element is "with my understanding" (G1223, _diá_ + G3450, _moû_ + G3563, _noûs_), meaning communication that engages the speaker's intellect and is therefore comprehensible to others.
* **"that [by my voice] I might teach others also":** This clause provides the purpose (G2443, _hína_) for Paul's preference. The KJV's bracketed phrase "[by my voice]" (not in all manuscripts) clarifies that the understanding is conveyed audibly. The core purpose is "I might teach" (G2727, _katēchéō_), which means to indoctrinate or instruct, emphasizing the didactic function of spiritual communication. The phrase "others also" (G243, _állos_ + G2532, _kaí_) underscores the communal benefit—the teaching is for the entire assembly, not just for the speaker's personal experience.
* **"than ten thousand words in an [unknown] tongue":** This is the stark contrast (G2228, _ḗ_). "Ten thousand words" (G3463, _mýrioi_ + G3056, _lógos_) is a hyperbole, representing an immense quantity of speech. The KJV's bracketed "[unknown]" (not in the Greek text but implied) clarifies that the "tongue" (G1100, _glōssa_) is unintelligible to the hearers without interpretation. Paul asserts that even an overwhelming volume of such speech is less valuable in the corporate setting than a few understandable words, precisely because it fails to teach or edify the gathered believers.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several potent literary devices in 1 Corinthians 14:19 to underscore his point. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, where he sharply contrasts "five words with my understanding" with "ten thousand words in an [unknown] tongue." This direct opposition highlights the qualitative difference between intelligible, edifying speech and unintelligible, non-edifying speech in the church setting. Complementing this is **Hyperbole**, seen in the numerical contrast of "five words" versus "ten thousand words." This exaggeration emphasizes the vast disparity in value, making it clear that quantity of utterance is irrelevant if understanding and teaching are absent. The phrase "I had rather" also functions as a **Rhetorical Preference**, expressing Paul's strong conviction and authoritative guidance on the matter, framing his instruction not as a mere suggestion but as a definitive statement of priority for the health and growth of the church.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Paul's declaration in 1 Corinthians 14:19 is deeply rooted in a robust theology of the church as the body of Christ, designed for mutual edification and growth in truth. It asserts that the primary function of spiritual expression in the corporate gathering is not personal spiritual ecstasy or display, but the building up of the community through the clear communication of God's truth. This principle aligns with the broader biblical emphasis on teaching and discipleship as central to God's redemptive plan, ensuring that believers are not merely moved by emotion but are grounded in understanding. The verse implicitly connects to the concept of the priesthood of all believers, where each member contributes to the spiritual health of the whole, and such contribution must be comprehensible to be effective.

* [Ephesians 4:11-12](/ephesians/4-11-12 "Ephesians 4:11-12 - Equipping the Saints for Ministry")
* [Romans 12:6-8](/romans/12-6-8 "Romans 12:6-8 - Gifts for Service")
* [Colossians 3:16](/colossians/3-16 "Colossians 3:16 - Let the Word of Christ Dwell Richly")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 14:19 remains profoundly relevant for the church today, serving as a timeless mandate for all forms of communication within the Christian assembly. It challenges pastors, teachers, worship leaders, and every believer to prioritize clarity, intentionality, and the edification of others in their public spiritual expressions. Whether in sermons, testimonies, prayers, or songs, the aim should always be to convey truth in a manner that is accessible, understandable, and conducive to spiritual growth for the entire congregation. This verse calls us to move beyond self-focused spiritual experiences in corporate settings and instead cultivate a selfless, love-driven approach that seeks to build up the body of Christ, ensuring that every word spoken contributes to the collective spiritual maturity and understanding of God's people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my participation in corporate worship contribute to the understanding and edification of others, rather than just my personal experience?**
* **In my role as a communicator (e.g., teacher, small group leader, parent), am I prioritizing clarity and comprehension for my audience?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure that my spiritual expressions in the church are always aimed at building up the community?**

### FAQ
**Is Paul forbidding speaking in tongues in the church?**

Answer: No, Paul is not forbidding speaking in tongues entirely, but he is regulating its use in the corporate assembly. Throughout [1 Corinthians 14](/1_corinthians/14 "1 Corinthians 14 - Order in Worship"), Paul acknowledges the gift of tongues (e.g., [1 Corinthians 14:5](/1_corinthians/14-5 "1 Corinthians 14:5 - Interpretation of Tongues")), even stating he wishes all spoke in tongues ([1 Corinthians 14:5](/1_corinthians/14-5 "1 Corinthians 14:5 - Paul's Desire for Tongues")). However, his strong emphasis is on the necessity of interpretation when tongues are exercised publicly ([1 Corinthians 14:13](/1_corinthians/14-13 "1 Corinthians 14:13 - Pray for Interpretation")). His concern in [1 Corinthians 14:19](/1_corinthians/14-19 "1 Corinthians 14:19 - Intelligibility in the Church") is that without understanding, tongues do not edify the church, making them less valuable than intelligible prophecy or teaching. He prioritizes order, clarity, and the building up of the entire congregation.

**What is the difference between "speaking with my understanding" and "speaking in an unknown tongue"?**

Answer: "Speaking with my understanding" refers to communication that is rational, comprehensible, and engages the speaker's intellect in a way that allows the message to be understood by others. It is speech that conveys meaning and can therefore teach and instruct. "Speaking in an unknown tongue" (or just "tongue" in the Greek, with "unknown" supplied by KJV for clarity) refers to the spiritual gift of glossolalia, which is utterance in a language unknown to the speaker and, crucially, unintelligible to the listeners without divine interpretation ([1 Corinthians 14:2](/1_corinthians/14-2 "1 Corinthians 14:2 - Speaking to God in Tongues")). While it may edify the speaker personally ([1 Corinthians 14:4](/1_corinthians/14-4 "1 Corinthians 14:4 - Personal Edification")), Paul argues that its value in the public assembly is minimal if it cannot be understood by the congregation, as it fails to teach or build up others.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
At its core, 1 Corinthians 14:19, with its emphasis on intelligible teaching for the edification of the church, points directly to Christ as the ultimate Word and Teacher. Jesus, as the [Logos made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), perfectly embodied understandable and edifying communication. His parables, sermons, and direct teachings were always designed to convey divine truth in a way that could be grasped by His hearers, leading them to repentance, faith, and transformation ([Matthew 7:28-29](/matthew/7-28-29 "Matthew 7:28-29 - The Authority of Jesus' Teaching")). The purpose of all spiritual gifts, including teaching and prophecy, is to build up the church into maturity, "to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" ([Ephesians 4:13](/ephesians/4-13 "Ephesians 4:13 - Growing into Christ's Fullness")). Therefore, when Paul prioritizes understandable teaching, he is ultimately calling the church to reflect the clarity and purpose of Christ's own ministry, where truth is communicated not for personal display, but for the spiritual growth and unity of His body, the very church He purchased with His own blood ([Acts 20:28](/acts/20-28 "Acts 20:28 - Purchased with His Own Blood")). Every word spoken in the church, when done with understanding and for edification, should ultimately serve to reveal more of Christ and conform believers more fully to His image ([Romans 8:29](/romans/8-29 "Romans 8:29 - Conformed to the Image of His Son")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 14:21

¶ In the law it is written, With [men of] other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

1 Corinthians 14:22

Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying [serveth] not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

1 Corinthians 14:4

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