1 Corinthians 14:4-6

1Co 14:4 The one speaking in another language builds himself us, but the one prophesying builds up the church.
1Co 14:5 I wish all of you spoke in other languages, but I wish even more that you prophesied. The one prophesying is greater than the one speaking in other languages, unless he interprets so that the church may be built up.
1Co 14:6 But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in other languages, how will I make you gain from that, unless I speak to you with a revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

tongues are for understanding

Paul affirms that the linguistic gifts in Corinth were real, valuable, and genuinely useful in the right setting. These believers had a legitimate ministry when they used their language abilities to communicate the gospel across cultural and linguistic boundaries. When an unbeliever who spoke one of those languages heard the message, the gift became an offering to God—an act of mission, a bridge built by the Spirit.

But inside the gathered fellowship, the situation changed. Most believers could not understand those languages. A message spoken in an unfamiliar tongue might be spiritually authentic, but it remained a mystery to the listeners. It could not edify, strengthen, or comfort them. Paul’s concern was not the gift itself but the effect it produced. A gift that leaves the church confused rather than nourished is being used out of place.

This is why Paul encourages prophecy in the assembly. Prophetic speech—whether it takes the form of unveiling a mystery, explaining Scripture, offering a warning, or giving encouragement—has one crucial advantage: it is understood. It reaches the mind and heart of the listeners. It builds up the community. And if an interpreter is present, then even a message in another language can serve the same purpose, because interpretation transforms mystery into meaning.

This context makes it clear that the popular idea of Paul referring to ecstatic, unintelligible utterances is a misunderstanding. Paul never suggests that the Spirit gives someone a supernatural ability to speak in a language that no one on earth can understand. That would contradict the entire argument he is making. The Spirit’s gifts are given for the good of others, not for private display. Paul consistently urges believers to use gifts that communicate, gifts that strengthen the church, gifts that advance the gospel.

The principle is simple: love governs the use of gifts. Love asks what will help the listeners. Love chooses clarity over spectacle. Love directs every gift toward the building up of the body. When the Corinthians used their linguistic abilities to impress one another, the gift became empty. When they used those abilities to reach the lost or edify the church through interpretation, the gift became a true offering to God.

Paul’s vision is practical and pastoral: the right gift, in the right context, offered in love, becomes a powerful instrument of the Spirit.

LORD, give us the wisdom to minister to others in such a way as to lead them to understand you.