| Geneva Study Bible {6} For {i} if I pray in an unknown tongue, my {k} spirit prayeth, but my understanding is {l} unfruitful. (6) A reason: because it is not sufficient for us to speak so in the congregation that we ourselves worship God in spirit (that is according to the gift which we have received), but we must also be understood of the company, lest that is unprofitable to others which we have spoken. (i) If I pray, when the church is assembled together, in a strange tongue. (k) The gift and inspiration which the spirit gives me does its part, but only to myself. (l) No fruit comes to the church by my prayers. People's New Testament 14:14 If I pray in an unknown tongue, etc. He does not understand, and only his spirit prayeth. Wesley's Notes 14:14 If I pray in an unknown tongue - The apostle, as he did at 1Cor 14:6, transfers it to himself. My spirit prayeth - By the power of the Spirit I understand the words myself. But my understanding is unfruitful - The knowledge I have is no benefit to others. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 14. spirit-my higher being, the passive object of the Holy Spirit's operations, and the instrument of prayer in the unknown tongue, distinguished from the "understanding," the active instrument of thought and reasoning; which in this case must be "unfruitful" in edifying others, since the vehicle of expression is unintelligible to them. On the distinction of soul or mind and spirit, see Eph 4:23; Heb 4:12. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 14:6-14 Even an apostle could not edify, unless he spoke so as to be understood by his hearers. To speak words that have no meaning to those who hear them, is but speaking into the air. That cannot answer the end of speaking, which has no meaning; in this case, speaker and hearers are barbarians to each other. All religious services should be so performed in Christian assemblies, that all may join in, and profit by them. Language plain and easy to be understood, is the most proper for public worship, and other religious exercises. Every true follower of Christ will rather desire to do good to others, than to get a name for learning or fine speaking. | 
