TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
KJV (with Strong's)
G1161 Now G3570, brethren G80, if G1437 I come G2064 unto G4314 you G5209 speaking G2980 with tongues G1100, what G5101 shall I profit G5623 you G5209, except G3362 I shall speak G2980 to you G5213 either G2228 by G1722 revelation G602, or G2228 by G1722 knowledge G1108, or G2228 by G1722 prophesying G4394, or G2228 by G1722 doctrine G1322?
Complete Jewish Bible
Brothers, suppose I come to you now speaking in tongues. How can I be of benefit to you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?
Berean Standard Bible
Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?
American Standard Version
But now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?
World English Bible Messianic
But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with other languages, what would I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?
Geneva Bible (1599)
And nowe, brethren, if I come vnto you speaking diuers tongues, what shall I profite you, except I speake to you, either by reuelation, or by knowledge, or by prophecying, or by doctrine?
Young's Literal Translation
And now, brethren, if I may come unto you speaking tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either in revelation, or in knowledge, or in prophesying, or in teaching?
See also
See on the biblical-era map
In the KJVVerse 28,685 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14 verses 6–14
6 ¶ Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
In this paragraph he goes on to show how vain a thing the ostentation of speaking unknown and unintelligible language must be. It was altogether unedifying and unprofitable (Co1 14:6): If I come to you speaking with tongues, what will it profit you, unless I speak to you by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? It would signify nothing to utter any of these in an unknown tongue. An apostle, with all his furniture, could not edify, unless he spoke to the capacity of his hearers. New revelations, the most clear explications of old ones, the most instructive discourses in themselves, would be unprofitable in a language not understood. Nay, interpretations of scripture made in an unknown tongue would need to be interpreted over again, before they could be of any use.
I. He illustrates this by several allusions. 1. To a pipe and a harp playing always in one tone. Of what use can this be to those who are dancing? If there be no distinction of sounds, how should they order their steps or motions? Unintelligible language is like piping or harping without distinction of sounds: it gives no more direction how a man should order his conversation than a pipe with but one stop or a harp with but one string can direct a dancer how he should order his steps, Co1 14:7. 2. To a trumpet giving an uncertain sound, adēlon phōnēn, a sound not manifest; either not the proper sound for the purpose, or not distinct enough to be discerned from every other sound. If, instead of sounding on onset, it sounded a retreat, or sounded one knew not what, who would prepare for the battle? To talk in an unknown language in a Christian assembly is altogether as vain and to no purpose as for a trumpet to give no certain sound in the field or day of battle. The army in one case, and the congregation in the other, must be all in suspense, and at a perfect nonplus. To speak words that have no significancy to those who hear them is to leave them ignorant of what is spoken; it is speaking to the air, Co1 14:9. Words without a meaning can convey no notion nor instruction to the mind; and words not understood have no meaning with those who do not understand them: to talk to them in such language is to waste our breath. 3. He compares the speaking in an unknown tongue to the gibberish of barbarians. There are, as he says (Co1 14:10), many kinds of voices in the world, none of which is without its proper signification. This is true of the several languages spoken by different nations. All of them have their proper signification. Without this they would be phōnai aphōnoi - a voice, and no voice. For that is no language, nor can it answer the end of speaking, which has no meaning. But whatever proper signification the words of any language may have in themselves, and to those who understand them, they are perfect gibberish to men of another language, who understand them not. In this case, speaker and hearers are barbarians to each other (Co1 14:11), they talk and hear only sounds without sense; for this is to be a barbarian. For thus says the polite Ovid, when banished into Pontus,
Barbarus hic ego sum, quia non intelligor ulli,
I am a barbarian here, none understand me.
To speak in the church in an unknown tongue is to talk gibberish; it is to play the barbarian; it is to confound the audience, instead of instructing them; and for this reason is utterly vain and unprofitable.
II. Having thus established his point, in the two next verses he applies, 1. By advising them to be chiefly desirous of those gifts that were most for the church's edification, Co1 14:12. "Forasmuch as you are zealous of spiritual gifts, this way it will become commendable zeal, be zealous to edify the church, to promote Christian knowledge and practice, and covet those gifts most that will do the best service to men's souls." This is the great rule he gives, which, 2. He applies to the matter in hand, that, if they did speak a foreign language, they should beg of God the gift of interpreting it, Co1 14:13. That these were different gifts, see Co1 12:10. Those might speak and understand a foreign language who could not readily translate it into their own: and yet was this necessary to the church's edification; for the church must understand, that it might be edified, which yet it could not do till the foreign language was translated into its own. Let him therefore pray for the gift of interpreting what he speaks in an unknown tongue; or rather covet and ask of God the gift of interpreting than of speaking in a language that needs interpretation, this being most for the church's benefit, and therefore among the gifts that excel; vide Co1 14:12. Some understand it, "Let him pray so as to interpret what he utters in prayer in a language unintelligible without it." The sum is that they should perform all religious exercises in their assemblies so that all might join in them and profit by them. 3. He enforces this advice with a proper reason, that, if he prayed in an unknown tongue, his spirit might pray, that is, a spiritual gift might be exercised in prayer, or his own mind might be devoutly engaged, but his understanding would be unfruitful (Co1 14:14), that is, the sense and meaning of his words would be unfruitful, he would not be understood, nor therefore would others join with him in his devotions. Note, It should be the concern of such as pray in public to pray intelligibly, not in a foreign language, nor in a language that, if it be not foreign, is above the level of his audience. Language that is most obvious and easy to be understood is the most proper for public devotion and other religious exercises.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 6–14. Public domain.
Copy as
Clement of AlexandriaAD 215
The Stromata Book 7
Wherefore also the apostle says, "I shall profit you nothing, unless I speak to you, either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophecy, or by doctrine."
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily on 1 Corinthians 35
"But now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?"
"And why speak I," saith he, "of the rest? Nay, let the person who speaketh with tongues be Paul: for not even so will any good come to the hearers." And these things he saith to signify that he is seeking their profit, not beating any grudge against them that have the gift; since not even in his own person doth he shrink from pointing out its unprofitableness. And indeed it is his constant way to work out the disagreeable topics in his own person: as in the beginning of the Epistle he said, "Who then is Paul? and who is Apollos? and who is Cephas?" This same then he doth also here, saying, "Not even I shall profit you, except I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of prophesying, or of knowledge, or of teaching." And what he means is, "if I say not somewhat that can be made intelligible to you and that may be dear, but merely make display of my having the gift of tongues; tongues which ye do not understand, ye will go away with no sort of profit. For how should you profit by a voice which ye understand not?"
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying 1 Corinthians 14:6 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
CNTR CollationThe earliest Greek manuscripts of this verse, collated letter by letter.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 14:6, the Apostle Paul articulates a foundational principle for the exercise of spiritual gifts within the gathered church: their ultimate purpose is the edification of the community through intelligible communication of divine truth. He employs a rhetorical question to challenge the value of uninterpreted ecstatic speech, asserting that any spiritual expression, including speaking in tongues, profits the hearers only if it conveys comprehensible revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or doctrine, thereby building up the body of Christ.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is situated within Paul's extensive discussion of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12-14, specifically focusing on the proper use of speaking in tongues and prophecy in public worship. Chapter 13, the "love chapter," immediately precedes this discussion, establishing love as the indispensable motive and guiding principle for all gift exercise. Paul's argument in chapter 14 consistently prioritizes prophecy over uninterpreted tongues because prophecy directly edifies the congregation by being understandable (e.g., 1 Corinthians 14:1-5). Verse 6 serves as a pivotal statement, illustrating why intelligibility is paramount, setting the stage for subsequent instructions on order and clarity in assembly (e.g., 1 Corinthians 14:26-33).
Historical & Cultural Context: The church in Corinth was grappling with various issues, including divisions, immorality, and a disordered approach to worship, particularly regarding spiritual gifts. It appears some Corinthians highly valued the ecstatic experience of speaking in tongues, perhaps viewing it as a sign of spiritual superiority or a direct, unfiltered connection to the divine, potentially influenced by pagan ecstatic cults prevalent in the Greco-Roman world. Paul's teaching here seeks to correct this imbalance, emphasizing that the true measure of a spiritual gift's value in public assembly is its ability to build up the entire community, not merely to provide personal spiritual experience or display. He is guiding them away from self-glorification towards corporate edification.
Key Themes: The overarching theme of 1 Corinthians 14 and indeed much of Paul's letters is the edification of the church. Paul repeatedly stresses that all spiritual gifts are given for the common good, not for individual display or personal gratification (e.g., 1 Corinthians 12:7). This verse underscores the theme of intelligibility in worship, asserting that communication within the church must be clear and understandable to be beneficial. It also highlights the purpose of spiritual gifts, defining them as tools for ministry that convey divine truth through various comprehensible means, whether by direct revelation, insightful knowledge, public prophesying, or systematic doctrine. This emphasis on clarity and communal benefit is a direct application of the principle of love articulated in 1 Corinthians 13, where love is shown to be the supreme motivation for all spiritual expression.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
These four categories represent the various ways God's truth can be clearly and comprehensibly conveyed, ensuring the spiritual growth of the community.
Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs a Rhetorical Question ("what shall I profit you?") to underscore his central point. By posing a question with an obvious negative answer, he compels his audience to acknowledge the futility of uninterpreted tongues in public worship. This device is highly persuasive, inviting the Corinthians to arrive at the conclusion themselves. Furthermore, the verse exhibits clear Parallelism in the listing of the four categories ("by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine"). This structured list not only provides a comprehensive scope of intelligible communication but also emphasizes the equal importance of each mode when it comes to edifying the church. There is also an implicit Contrast drawn between speaking in tongues without interpretation and speaking in a way that provides clear, understandable spiritual content, highlighting the practical difference in their impact on the congregation.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Corinthians 14:6 is a pivotal verse for understanding the purpose and practice of spiritual gifts within the Christian assembly. It firmly establishes that the primary aim of all spiritual manifestations in public worship is not the personal experience of the speaker, but the clear, understandable communication of divine truth for the spiritual growth and strengthening of the entire body of Christ. This principle reflects God's desire for order and clarity in His house, ensuring that His people are genuinely built up in faith and knowledge, rather than confused or left unedified. It underscores that God's gifts are always purposeful, intended to equip and mature His church.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse stands as a timeless directive for all forms of Christian ministry and communication today. It challenges us to constantly evaluate our methods and messages, asking whether they genuinely serve to build up and enlighten those who hear. Whether we are preaching, teaching, leading worship, or engaging in personal evangelism, the ultimate measure of our effectiveness is not our eloquence or spiritual fervor, but the clarity and comprehensibility of the divine truth we convey. We are called to prioritize the spiritual profit of others, ensuring that our words are a source of revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or doctrine that can be readily understood and applied. This requires humility, a willingness to adapt our communication to our audience, and a deep commitment to the edification of the church above personal expression.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does Paul mean by "speaking with tongues" in this context?
Answer: In 1 Corinthians 14, "speaking with tongues" (Greek: glōssa) refers to speaking in a language unknown to the hearers, which could be an actual human language supernaturally given (as on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:4-11) or possibly ecstatic, non-human utterances. Paul's primary concern in this chapter is not the nature of the tongue itself, but its intelligibility and benefit to the church when exercised in a public gathering. If no one understands, it doesn't build up the community, which is the ultimate purpose of all spiritual gifts according to 1 Corinthians 14:12.
Why does Paul list "revelation, knowledge, prophesying, or doctrine" as alternatives to uninterpreted tongues?
Answer: Paul lists these four categories because they represent distinct yet comprehensible ways that divine truth is communicated to the church, leading to its edification. Revelation is a direct unveiling of God's truth. Knowledge is a deep understanding of spiritual matters. Prophesying is speaking God's message, often for exhortation, edification, and comfort, which is inherently understandable. Doctrine refers to systematic teaching of Christian truth. All these modes of communication are intelligible and therefore capable of building up the faith and understanding of the congregation, unlike uninterpreted tongues, which leave the hearers unprofited.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 14:6, though addressing a specific issue in the Corinthian church, finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect embodiment in Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential "revelation" of God, the very Word made flesh, through whom the Father's truth was fully unveiled (John 1:14). In Him, all "knowledge" of God resides (Colossians 2:3), and His teachings are the ultimate "doctrine" for humanity, delivered with unparalleled authority and clarity (Matthew 7:28-29). Christ Himself was the supreme "prophet," speaking God's words directly and powerfully, always for the edification and salvation of His hearers (Luke 24:19). His entire ministry was characterized by intelligible communication aimed at bringing light, understanding, and life to a lost world, perfectly demonstrating that divine truth must be clearly conveyed to profit humanity. The church, as His body, is called to continue this Christ-like ministry, ensuring that all its expressions, empowered by the Spirit, point clearly to Him and build up His people in truth and love, for His glory.