6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? 7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? 8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? 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. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. 11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. 12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. 13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. (1 Corinthians 14:6-14 KJV)
Tongues Must Be Interpreted
In this passage, Paul shows how vain and useless it is to display the gift of speaking in unknown and unintelligible languages. Such speech is entirely unedifying and unprofitable. “If I come to you speaking with tongues, what good will I do you unless I speak to you by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?” (1 Corinthians 14:6). Even an apostle could not benefit his hearers unless he spoke in a language they understood. The clearest revelations and the most instructive teachings would be worthless if expressed in words that no one could comprehend. Interpretations of Scripture made in an unknown language would themselves need to be interpreted again before being useful.
Paul illustrates this with several examples. He compares it first to a pipe or a harp playing only one note. Of what use is that to those who are dancing? “If the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?” (1 Corinthians 14:8). If there is no distinction of sounds, how can anyone act on them? Unintelligible language is like a musical instrument that gives no distinct notes—it offers no guidance or instruction (1 Corinthians 14:7).
He also compares it to a trumpet giving a confused or uncertain signal. If it does not sound a clear call to advance or retreat, the army will be left in confusion. Likewise, speaking in an unknown language in the church is as useless as a trumpet giving no distinct sound in battle. “So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air” (1 Corinthians 14:9). Words without meaning cannot teach or instruct; when they are not understood, they are empty sounds, and to use them in worship is to waste one’s breath.
Paul further compares speaking in an unknown tongue to the gibberish of foreigners. “There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without meaning” (1 Corinthians 14:10). Every language has its proper meaning for those who understand it, but to those who do not, it is mere noise. “If I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me” (1 Corinthians 14:11). To speak in the church in a language unknown to the congregation is to speak as a foreigner—to confuse rather than instruct—and is therefore vain and unprofitable.
Having proved his point, Paul applies it directly. “Since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel” (1 Corinthians 14:12). True zeal for spiritual gifts must aim at building up the church, promoting Christian knowledge and practice, and benefiting others’ souls.
He then adds, “Let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret” (1 Corinthians 14:13). Speaking and interpreting were distinct gifts (1 Corinthians 12:10). Some could speak or understand a foreign language but could not translate it clearly for others, yet this was necessary for the edification of the church. The congregation could not benefit until the language was interpreted. Therefore, the speaker should pray for the ability to interpret what he says, or better yet, seek the gift of interpretation rather than the gift of tongues, since it is more useful for the church.
Finally, Paul gives a reason for this rule: “If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful” (1 Corinthians 14:14). His own heart might be engaged in prayer, but the meaning of his words would be lost to others. They could not join with him in devotion or say “Amen” to his prayer. Therefore, those who pray or speak in public should do so intelligibly—in language that is easy to understand. Speech that is plain and clear is the most suitable for public worship and instruction.