1Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.
2For
anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.
please note here that Paul says he would like ALL to speak in tongues but he does not say that ALL do speak in tongues. it is also clear that tongues are indicated as speaking to God and not to people so perhaps those who say otherwise should give that consideration it is in the Bible after all
6Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?
7Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes?
8Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?
9So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.
10Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
11If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me.
12So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.
here Paul gives instruction because of the disorderly way tongues were being used in the meetings. as you continue to read you will see that Paul says DO NOT FORBID SPEAKING IN TONGUES. he does not put a time limit on it and he does not say it will pass away or will no longer be needed. that, is only going to happen when God steps into time and says 'enough'
13For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.
14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
15So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.
16Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer,
d say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying?
17You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.
I said in another post that I do often understand what it is I am praying about and I have actually had a word for a church...but in English...I might be praying in tongues but I do not give a message in tongues. this is also biblical
18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
19But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.
21In the Law it is written:
“With other tongues
and through the lips of foreigners
I will speak to this people,
but even then they will not listen to me,
says the Lord.”
22Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.
23So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
24But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all,
25as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”
do you see here what I have been saying regarding tongues being a sign? it does not say what some here are saying. the purpose was for unbelievers. so then, in this chapter we have revealed many uses for tongues and when the word prophecy is used, it is meant as FORTHTELLING a word from God...not future events. if someone speaks in a language understood by the congregation...home Bible study...whatever...by the power of the Holy Spirit, they ARE bypassing tongues and have the faith given by God to speak what He has laid on their heart. there should be others...as the chapter says...by 2 or 3...who will agree
Good Order in Worship
26What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.
27If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.
28If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.
29Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
30And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.
31For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
32The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.
33For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
34Women
f should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.
35If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.
g
36Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?
37If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.
38But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.
h
39Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
40But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
a person could just exhaust themselves trying to explain it all piecemeal, so I just put in the whole chapter and you can agree or disagree with the word
I Corinthians 14
( I see what Paul says here regarding women but we have enough threads on that one already so would those who wish all women to be silent kindly take it to one of those threads?)