1 Corinthians 14:5

Now. would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

'Now. would have you all speak with tongues' -Indicating that Paul isn't against the gift of speaking in tongues. Rather Paul is against. loveless and selfish use of tongues, i.e. using your gift when others don't benefit from it.

Point to Note:

This is yet another verse that reveals that all Christians in the First Century didn't speak in tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:30; 1 Corinthians 14:16) These two verses contradict the claim made by some Pentecostal groups that all "real" Christians receive. baptism of the Holy Spirit after conversion and as. evidence of that baptism, they speak in tongues.

'As opposed top to those who regard tongues as the indispensable mark of having received the Spirit or spiritual maturity.' (McGuiggan p. 180)

What do these two passages say about religious groups that gather around. new convert for hours in the attempt to "force" them to speak in tongues? What would the apostle Paul say about that practice? Who he commend them for such? (1 Corinthians 11:17)

'greater is he that prophesieth' -"Greater" in the sense of congregational benefit. (1 Corinthians 14:4) The Prophet, seeing that he speaks in the common language of the assembly benefits (1 Corinthians 14:3) more people. With one exception:

'except he interpret' -Which would put the message revealed by the tongues into the common language of the assembly in Corinth, and hence in this insistance such would be equal with the gift of prophesy. Under this condition and this condition only. were tongues allowed into the assembly. (1 Corinthians 14:27-28)

Point to Note:"Greatness" is determined by "usefulness". Jesus even pointed out that "greatness" in the kingdom, would be determined by "usefulness" in serving others. (Matthew 20:27)