1 Corinthians 14:6 KJV New Testament Preaching

1 Corinthians 14:6 (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?

The focus of this chapter is the edification of the church. At the time of this writing the gift of tongues, as it was found in the Book of Acts, still existed (or at least some still remembered when it existed) but it was fading away. It was a gift exclusively belonging to those of the apostolic era. It had no value after the Word of God was finalized and so ceased. That doesn’t mean people who liked to be seen didn’t make up their own versions of the gift.

Paul’s instructions in the chapter are intended to build maturity in the believers; stop focusing on yourselves and put your efforts into the church God has made you a member of. In this regard Paul writes of the four styles of message that profits a church. No doubt they had unique meaning to the apostles but they also have value today:

RevelationMeans to reveal a thing. It’s opening the Bible and making it plain. A difficult passage brought to light.

KnowledgeThis word is related to science (the real kind, not falsely so called). I think it could relate to application. People profit when the preacher can show them how to live out the Bible.

ProphesyThis word means prediction. Here is the preacher reminding his congregation of Bible promises yet to be fulfilled.

DoctrineIt means instruction but I want to keep it at its root. Every preacher needs to teach his congregation the doctrinal truths that give his faith: distinction, justification and grounding.

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1 Corinthians 14:6 KJV New Testament Preaching

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