John Calvin Commentary 1 Corinthians 14:6

"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?" — 1 Corinthians 14:6 (ASV)

Now, brethren, if I should come. He presents himself as an example, because in his own person the matter was demonstrated more strikingly. The Corinthians had experienced abundant fruit from his doctrine in their own lives. He then asks them what advantage it would be to them if he were to use foreign languages among them. He shows them by this instance how much better it would be to apply their minds to prophesying. Besides, it was less offensive to rebuke this fault in his own person, rather than in that of another.

He mentions, however, four different kinds of edification—revelation, knowledge, prophesying, and doctrine. Since there are various opinions among interpreters concerning them, allow me also to present my own conjecture. However, since it is only a conjecture, I leave it for my readers to judge.

Revelation and prophesying I place in one class, and I am of the opinion that the latter is the means by which the former is administered. I hold the same opinion regarding knowledge and doctrine. Therefore, what anyone has obtained by revelation, he dispenses through prophesying. Doctrine is the way of communicating knowledge.

Thus, a Prophet will be—one who interprets and administers revelation. This is more in favor of the definition that I have given above, rather than at variance with it. For we have said that prophesying does not consist of a simple and bare interpretation of Scripture, but also includes knowledge for applying it to present use—which is obtained only through revelation and the special inspiration of God.