King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 14:6 Mean?

1 Corinthians 14:6 in the King James Version says “Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by ...” — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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 · KJV

Context

4

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

5

I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

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? sounds: or, tunes

8

For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

Read 1 Corinthians 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you?—Paul uses himself as an example. The verb ōpheleō (ὠφελέω, "profit, benefit") echoes the love principle (13:3, "it profiteth me nothing"). Except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine—Paul lists four intelligible modes of Spirit-prompted instruction: (1) apokalypsis (ἀποκάλυψις, "revelation, unveiling"), (2) gnōsis (γνῶσις, "knowledge"), (3) prophēteia (προφητεία, "prophecy"), (4) didachē (διδαχή, "teaching, doctrine").

All four require intelligibility. Paul's rhetorical question expects the answer: "You gain nothing from my tongues." The fourfold list encompasses the range of edifying Spirit-speech—whether unveiling mystery, imparting knowledge, prophesying, or teaching, all must be understood to profit hearers.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

As an apostle with extraordinary gifts, Paul could have flaunted tongues. Instead, he subordinates even apostolic gifting to the edification principle. His self-reference makes the argument irrefutable.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does Paul apply the edification test even to apostolic ministry?
  2. How do revelation, knowledge, prophecy, and teaching differ yet share intelligibility?
  3. What would you 'profit' from a worship service conducted entirely in tongues?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
νυνὶ1 of 28

“Now”

G3570

just now

δέ2 of 28
G1161

but, and, etc

ἀδελφοί3 of 28

“brethren”

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

ἐὰν4 of 28

“if”

G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

ἔλθω5 of 28

“I come”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

πρὸς6 of 28

“unto”

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

ὑμᾶς7 of 28

“you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

γλώσσαις8 of 28

“with tongues”

G1100

the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired)

λαλήσω9 of 28

“I shall speak”

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

τί10 of 28

“what”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ὑμᾶς11 of 28

“you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ὠφελήσω12 of 28

“shall I profit”

G5623

to be useful, i.e., to benefit

ἐὰν13 of 28

“if”

G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

μὴ14 of 28
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ὑμῖν15 of 28

“to you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

λαλήσω16 of 28

“I shall speak”

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

ἢ17 of 28

“either”

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

ἐν18 of 28

“by”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἀποκαλύψει19 of 28

“revelation”

G602

disclosure

ἢ20 of 28

“either”

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

ἐν21 of 28

“by”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

γνώσει22 of 28

“knowledge”

G1108

knowing (the act), i.e., (by implication) knowledge

ἢ23 of 28

“either”

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

ἐν24 of 28

“by”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

προφητείᾳ25 of 28

“prophesying”

G4394

prediction (scriptural or other)

ἢ26 of 28

“either”

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

ἐν27 of 28

“by”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

διδαχῇ28 of 28

“doctrine”

G1322

instruction (the act or the matter)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Corinthians 14:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Corinthians 14:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ephesians 1:172 Timothy 3:16Romans 6:171 Corinthians 14:11 Corinthians 14:26-30Matthew 16:26

Test Your Knowledge

1 Corinthians 14 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Corinthians Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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