1 Corinthians 14:5

To speak in strange tongues. The tongues were a real and desirable gift. Paul could wish that each one had this gift. But I would rather. Better is superior to good. The gift of speaking God's message (prophecy) serves the church better. Is of greater value. Because it communicates instruction. Unless. If someone there can translate it into understandable form, it then becomes useful. Note. There is much confusion about tongues (languages). Some think they were "ecstatic speech" in no language at all. Others think they were gifts of the knowledge of languages. (1) We see these at work on Pentecost (Acts 2:5-13). (2) The one who spoke in tongues did not understand what he was saying (1 Corinthians 14:13-14). So it could not be just a gift of knowledge. (3) They were intended as proof for unbelievers, but only for those unbelievers who spoke the tongue (1 Corinthians 14:23).