1 Corinthians 14:19
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.
Original Language Analysis
ἀλλ'
Yet
G235
ἀλλ'
Yet
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
1 of 20
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ἐκκλησίᾳ
the church
G1577
ἐκκλησίᾳ
the church
Strong's:
G1577
Word #:
3 of 20
a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth
θέλω
I had rather
G2309
θέλω
I had rather
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
4 of 20
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
λόγους
words
G3056
λόγους
words
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
6 of 20
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
διὰ
with
G1223
διὰ
with
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
7 of 20
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νοός
understanding
G3563
νοός
understanding
Strong's:
G3563
Word #:
9 of 20
the intellect, i.e., mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will); by implication, meaning
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κατηχήσω
by my voice I might teach
G2727
κατηχήσω
by my voice I might teach
Strong's:
G2727
Word #:
15 of 20
to sound down into the ears, i.e., (by implication) to indoctrinate ("catechize") or (genitive case) to apprise of
Historical Context
This verse likely silenced objections: Paul, who speaks in tongues more than any Corinthian, chooses intelligible instruction in corporate worship. His authority and experience make the argument unanswerable.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Paul use such extreme hyperbole (5 words vs. 10,000)?
- What's the relationship between intelligibility, teaching, and edification?
- How should this verse shape our priorities in corporate worship?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding—the emphatic contrast: alla en ekklēsia (ἀλλὰ ἐν ἐκκλησίᾳ, "but in church"), Paul prefers pente logous dia tou noos mou (πέντε λόγους διὰ τοῦ νοός μου, "five words through my mind"). That by my voice I might teach others also (hina kai allous katēchēsō, "that I might instruct others also")—the purpose is katēcheō (κατηχέω, "instruct, teach," root of "catechize").
Than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue—the hyperbolic contrast (5 vs. 10,000) emphasizes the point. In corporate worship, comprehensibility so outweighs incomprehensibility that five intelligible words trump ten thousand unintelligible ones. The ratio reveals Paul's values: edification through instruction is infinitely more valuable than impressive but unintelligible speech.