1 Corinthians 14:6

“Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, etc.] 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 <461418>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…”

“Translate, "But now"; seeing there is no edification without interpretation. revelation . . . prophesying--corresponding one to the other; "revelation" being the supernatural unveiling of divine truths to man, "prophesying" the enunciation to men of such revelations. 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.”

“Now, brethren, if I come unto you ... - The truth which the apostle had been illustrating in an abstract manner, he proceeds to illustrate by applying it to himself. If he should come among them speaking foreign languages, it could be of no use unless it were interpreted to them. Speaking with tongues - Speaking foreign languages; that is, speaking them “only,” without any interpreter. Paul had the power of speaking foreign languages 1 Corinthians 14:18; but he did not use this power for ostentation or display, but merely to communicate the gospel to those who did not understand his native tongue. Either by revelation - Macknight renders this, “speak intelligibly;” that is, as he explains…”

“Revelation - Of some gospel mystery. Knowledge - Explaining the ancient types and prophecies. Prophecy - Foretelling some future event. Doctrine - To regulate your tempers and lives. Perhaps this may be the sense of these obscure words. 1 Corinthians 14:7”

“what shall I: Co1 10:33, Co1 12:7, Co1 13:3; Sa1 12:21; Jer 16:19, Jer 23:32; Mat 16:26; Ti2 2:14; Tit 3:8; Heb 13:9 revelation: Co1 14:26-30; Mat 11:25, Mat 16:17; Co2 12:1, Co2 12:7; Eph 1:17; Phi 3:15 knowledge: Co1 12:8, Co1 13:2, Co1 13:8, Co1 13:9; Rom 15:14; Co2 11:6; Eph 3:4; Pe2 1:5, Pe2 3:18 prophesying: Co1 14:1, Co1 13:2 doctrine: Co1 14:26; Rom 16:17; Ti2 3:10, Ti2 3:16, Ti2 4:2; Jo2 1:9 1 Corinthians 14:7”