1 Corinthians 14:6

6 But, brethren, as things are, if I come to you speaking in `tongues,' what benefit shall I confer on you, if the utterance is neither in the form of a revelation nor of additional knowledge nor of prophecy nor of teaching?

1 Corinthians 14:6 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 14:6

Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues,
&c.] The apostle exemplifies this matter in himself, and supposes it his own case, that should he who was the apostle of the Gentiles, and to be received by them as such, when he came to them, come with this gift of tongues, which he was capable of, as much, or more than any, see ( 1 Corinthians 14:18 ) and only make use of that,

what shall I profit you?
of what use would my ministry be to you? what instruction, comfort, and edification, could you receive by it?

except I shall speak to you, either by revelation;
by the revelation of Jesus Christ, whereby he received the Gospel he preached; or by the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ, and the mysteries of his grace, by which they were made known unto him at first, or by a fresh immediate revelation from heaven:

or by knowledge;
the word of knowledge, one of the peculiar gifts of the Spirit, ( 1 Corinthians 12:8 ) .

Or by prophesying;
the gift of prophecy, another of the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit, mentioned in the same chapter, ( 1 Corinthians 12:10 ) and already explained:

or by doctrine?
the same with the word of wisdom, another gift of the same Spirit, in ( 1 Corinthians 12:8 ) . The apostle intimates, that by the use and exercise of these gifts, he might be profitable to them, to lead them into a clearer view of the doctrines of the Gospel, and for the further improvement of their knowledge in the Scriptures of truth, which could never be done by bare speaking with tongues, and with tongues they understood not.

1 Corinthians 14:6 In-Context

4 He who speaks in an unknown tongue does good to himself, but he who prophesies does good to the Church.

5 I should be right glad were you all to speak in `tongues,' but yet more glad were you all to prophesy. And, in fact, the man who prophesies is superior to him who speaks in `tongues,' except when the latter can interpret in order that the Church may get a blessing.

6 But, brethren, as things are, if I come to you speaking in `tongues,' what benefit shall I confer on you, if the utterance is neither in the form of a revelation nor of additional knowledge nor of prophecy nor of teaching?

7 Even inanimate things--flutes or harps, for instance--when yielding a sound, if they make no distinction in the notes, how shall the tune which is played on the flute or the harp be known?

8 If the bugle--to take another example--gives an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?