1 Corinthians 14:19 - Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Bible Comments

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.

1 Corinthians 14:19

19 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.