1 Corinthians 14:6-19

Tongues must be properly interpreted -- 1 Corinthians 14:6-19: What good would it do speak in a language that the church could not understand? It would do no good for Paul to speak without giving them some knowledge, prophecy or teaching. Even lifeless instruments must give a certain sound or their sounds would be useless. In olden days when the trumpet was blown in a certain way it meant prepare for battle. An uncertain sound would mean nothing and the soldier would simply remain in his tent.

The tongues should be used only in a way that would benefit the hearers. They must somehow be able to understand what is being said, otherwise there is no profit in the speech. Speaking in a language that cannot be understood makes you appear to be a foreigner to those that hear you. At Corinth the members were seeking gifts that would make them look better. Paul said they should seek gifts that would best help the church. If a man prays or preaches with an unknown tongue, the hearer that does not understand that tongue will not gain anything from the prayer or preaching.

In the early church there were inspired songs and there were inspired prayers. "What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also." (1 Corinthians 14:15) Sing so that everyone can hear and understand the words because we are taught thereby. When we pray others should be able to say "amen." A prayer in a foreign language may be beautiful, but there is no way it can edify the person that does not speak that language. Paul preferred a few understandable works over thousands of eloquent words that could not be understood.