What Paul really is saying in the quoted passage is the speaker pray that he
may interpret. The word
may is a "subjective possibility" meaning it is in the wildest dream, that is why speaking in an unknown tongue is subject to a strictest rule. If no one translate the foreign language, it is best to keep in silence.
1 Corinthians 14 put prophesy into pedestal over speaking in tongues. Here Paul distinguished the following manner about speaking in an unknown tongues:
1. The speaker is not speaking to man but to God. For the receiver/listener doesn't know the language being spoken. It remains mystery or beyond comprehension to the listener/ receiver.
1 Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in an
unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth
him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
2. The speaker is said to edifies himself but we have to remember that this Epistle of Paul is not to an individual but rather to a corporeal, a group, or a church specifically to the believers at Corinth. Thus the
church must be edified to something other than speaking in an unknown tongue. A better way to that is to prophesy.
1 Corinthians 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men
to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
3. Hence, Paul has an undecided desire that Corinthians to speak with tongues for such speaking is unprofitable to the receiver/hearer.
1 Corinthians 14:5 I
would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for
greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
4. Unless the speaker interpret, that's taking a possibility, the church
may receive edifying. Again if no one is able to interpret/translate, the speaker is only speaking into the air.
1 Corinthians 14:9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken?
for ye shall speak into the air.
The gift of tongue in the early church is perhaps categorized as a sign-gift. A Sign for unbelieving and a Gift to believers but with the completion of the scripture of truth, the gospel message can be brought out, disseminated without the need of some miraculous act. The Bible is enough to be use in evangelism and to make disciples. The Bible is able to build us up, enabling us to grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 3:
15And account
that the longsuffering of our Lord
is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16As also in all
his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as
they do also the other
scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know
these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.