1 Corinthians 14:6 BSB

1 Corinthians 14:6

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?

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

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?

KJV

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?

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Commentary

3 voices

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible (1832)

Speaking with tongues - Without interpreting. What shall I profit you? - i.e. I shall not profit you; Except I shall speak to you either by revelation - Of some secret thing; or by knowledge, of some mystery; or by prophesying, foretelling some future event; or by doctrine, instructing you what to believe and practice. - See Whitby. These four words are taken in different acceptations by learned men. The general sense of the terms is that given above: but the peculiar meaning of the apostle is perhaps not easily discerned.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

John Wesley

1703–1791

Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)

Revelation - Of some gospel mystery. Knowledge - Explaining the ancient types and prophecies. Prophecy - Foretelling some future event.

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

So "knowledge" corresponds to "doctrine," which is the gift of teaching to others our knowledge. As the former pair refers to specially revealed mysteries, so the latter pair refers to the general obvious truths of salvation, brought from the common storehouse of believers.

Voices on this verse

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Original language & word study

28 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
Νῦν	Nun	now	G3568 →
δέ,	de	however	G1161 →
ἀδελφοί,	adelphoi	brothers,	G80 →
ἐὰν	ean	if	G1437 →
ἔλθω	elthō	I shall come	G2064 →
πρὸς	pros	to	G4314 →
ὑμᾶς	humas	you	G4771 →
γλώσσαις	glōssais	in tongues	G1100 →
λαλῶν,	lalōn	speaking,	G2980 →
τί	ti	what	G5101 →
ὑμᾶς	humas	you	G4771 →
ὠφελήσω,	ōphelēsō	will I profit,	G5623 →
ἐὰν	ean	only	G1437 →
μὴ	mē	unless	G3361 →
ὑμῖν	humin	to you	G4771 →
λαλήσω	lalēsō	I shall speak	G2980 →
ἢ	ē	either	G2228 →
ἐν	en	in	G1722 →
ἀποκαλύψει	apokalupsei	revelation	G602 →
ἢ	ē	or	G2228 →
ἐν	en	in	G1722 →
γνώσει	gnōsei	knowledge	G1108 →
ἢ	ē	or	G2228 →
ἐν	en	in	G1722 →
προφητείᾳ	prophēteia	prophecy	G4394 →
ἢ	ē	or	G2228 →
ἐν	en	in	G1722 →
διδαχῇ;	didachēa	teaching?	G1322 →

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 walk8

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
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
leads to
- Romans 15:4
  For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.
- Hebrews 4:12
  For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
- 2 Peter 1:19–21
  We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day…
- Mark 12:24
  Jesus said to them, “Aren’t you mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?
- Psalms 19:7–11
  The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.
Through
Ephesians 1:17
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him.
leads to
- Isaiah 11:2
  The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.
- James 3:17–18
  But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
- Colossians 1:9–10
  For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and…

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