1 Corinthians 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?”

Context:Let’s do a Bible study on 1 Corinthians 14:6 in the King James Version (KJV).

First, let’s read the verse in its entirety:

“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?”

1 Corinthians 14:6 is part of a larger passage where the apostle Paul addresses the issue of spiritual gifts, particularly the gift of speaking in tongues, within the context of the worship service. In this verse, Paul raises a question regarding the purpose and effectiveness of speaking in tongues without interpretation or understanding.

To better understand the verse, let’s break it down:

“Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues…”

Paul begins by referring to himself hypothetically. He is discussing a scenario where he would come to the Corinthians and engage in speaking in tongues. Speaking in tongues refers to a spiritual gift where a person speaks in a language they do not know or understand, either as a personal prayer language or as a public expression.

“…what shall I profit you…”

Paul raises a rhetorical question, emphasizing the importance of edification and the benefit of spiritual gifts in the context of the Christian community. He wants to make sure that the Corinthian believers understand the purpose of these gifts.

“…except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?”

Paul presents alternative means of communication that would be more beneficial to the Corinthians. He mentions four specific ways in which he can bring profit to the believers:

• 1. Revelation: This refers to God’s direct communication or unveiling of divine truth to Paul, which he can then share with the Corinthians.
• 2. Knowledge: Paul could communicate knowledge, referring to the wisdom, understanding, and teachings he has received from God or through his own study of the Scriptures.
• 3. Prophesying: This involves the gift of prophecy, where the Holy Spirit enables a person to speak forth God’s message, usually focused on edification, exhortation, and consolation.
• 4. Doctrine: Paul could communicate sound doctrine, which refers to teaching that is in line with the truths of the Christian faith.

In essence, Paul is suggesting that if he were to come to the Corinthians speaking in tongues, it would not be beneficial unless he also provided revelation, knowledge, prophesying, or doctrine. These forms of communication bring understanding and edification to the community, enabling them to grow spiritually.