1 Corinthians 14:19 BSB

1 Corinthians 14:19

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

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

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.

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.

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Commentary

1 voice

Albert Barnes

1798–1870

Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)

Yet in the church - In the Christian assembly. The word “church” does not refer to the “edifice” where Christians worshipped, but to the organized body of Christians. I had rather ... - It is probable that in the Christian assembly, usually, there were few who understood foreign languages. Paul, therefore, would not speak in a foreign language when its only use would be mere display. With my understanding - So as to be intelligible to others; so that I might understand it, and so that at the same time others might be benefitted.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

Note, A truly Christian minister will value himself much more upon doing the least spiritual good to men's souls than upon procuring the greatest applause and commendation to himself. This is true grandeur and nobleness of spirit; it is acting up to his character; it is approving himself the servant of Christ, and not a vassal to his own pride and vanity.

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

I had rather--The Greek verb more literally expresses this meaning, "I WISH to speak five words with my understanding (rather) than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue"; even the two thousandth part of ten thousand. The Greek for "I would rather," would be a different verb.

Voices on this verse

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Original language & word study

19 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
ἀλλ᾽	all᾽	but	G235 →
ἐν	en	in	G1722 →
ἐκκλησίᾳ	ekklēsia	[the] church	G1577 →
θέλω	thelō	I desire	G2309 →
πέντε	pente	five	G4002 →
λόγους	logous	words	G3056 →
τῷ	tō	the	G3588 →
νοΐ	noi	with mind	G3563 →
μου	mou	of mine	G3165 →
λαλῆσαι,	lalēsai	to speak	G2980 →
ἵνα	ina	that	G2443 →
καὶ	kai	also	G2532 →
ἄλλους	allous	others	G243 →
κατηχήσω,	katēchēsō	I may instruct,	G2727 →
ἢ	ē	rather than	G2228 →
μυρίους	murious	ten thousand	G3463 →
λόγους	logous	words	G3056 →
ἐν	en	in	G1722 →
γλώσσῃ.¶	glōssē	a tongue.	G1100 →

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

The walk

The walk5

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
1 Corinthians 14:4
The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
leads to
- 1 Corinthians 14:22
  Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.
- 1 Corinthians 14:26
  What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the…
- Mark 16:17
  And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
- 1 Corinthians 14:17–19
  You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other one is not edified.
- 1 Corinthians 14:3
  But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.

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