141 Pursue love , yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy . 2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God ; for no one understands , but in his spirit he speaks mysteries . 3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation . 4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself ; but one who prophesies edifies the church . 5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues , but even more that you would prophesy ; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues , unless e he interprets , so that the church may receive edifying .
6 But now , brethren , if I come to you speaking in tongues , what will I profit you unless e I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching ? 7 Yet even lifeless things , either flute or harp , in producing a sound , if they do not produce a distinction in the tones , how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp ? 8 For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound , who will prepare himself for battle ? 9 So also you, unless e you utter by the tongue speech that is clear , how will it be known what is spoken ? For you will be speaking into the air . 10 There are, perhaps , a great many kinds of languages in the world , and no kind is without meaning . 11 If then I do not know the meaning of the language , I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian , and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me. 12 So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church . 13 Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret . 14 For if I pray in a tongue , my spirit prays , but my mind is unfruitful .
15 What is the outcome then ? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also ; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also . 16 Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the "Amen " at your giving of thanks , since he does not know what you are saying ? 17 For you are giving thanks well enough , but the other person is not edified . 18 I thank God , I speak in tongues more than you all ; 19 however , in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also , rather than ten thousand words in a tongue . 20 Brethren , do not be children in your thinking ; yet in evil be infants , but in your thinking be mature .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:1-20
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:1-5
(Read 1 Corinthians 14:1-5)
Prophesying, that is, explaining Scripture, is compared with speaking with tongues. This drew attention, more than the plain interpretation of Scripture; it gratified pride more, but promoted the purposes of Christian charity less; it would not equally do good to the souls of men. What cannot be understood, never can edify. No advantage can be reaped from the most excellent discourses, if delivered in language such as the hearers cannot speak or understand. Every ability or possession is valuable in proportion to its usefulness. Even fervent, spiritual affection must be governed by the exercise of the understanding, else men will disgrace the truths they profess to promote.
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:6-14
(Read 1 Corinthians 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.
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:15-25
(Read 1 Corinthians 14:15-25)
There can be no assent to prayers that are not understood. A truly Christian minister will seek much more to do spiritual good to men's souls, than to get the greatest applause to himself. This is proving himself the servant of Christ. Children are apt to be struck with novelty; but do not act like them. Christians should be like children, void of guile and malice; yet they should not be unskilful as to the word of righteousness, but only as to the arts of mischief. It is a proof that a people are forsaken of God, when he gives them up to the rule of those who teach them to worship in another language. They can never be benefitted by such teaching. Yet thus the preachers did who delivered their instructions in an unknown tongue. Would it not make Christianity ridiculous to a heathen, to hear the ministers pray or preach in a language which neither he nor the assembly understood? But if those who minister, plainly interpret Scripture, or preach the great truths and rules of the gospel, a heathen or unlearned person might become a convert to Christianity. His conscience might be touched, the secrets of his heart might be revealed to him, and so he might be brought to confess his guilt, and to own that God was present in the assembly. Scripture truth, plainly and duly taught, has a wonderful power to awaken the conscience and touch the heart.