1 Corinthians 14:4-5 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
Paul shows a clear division in v. 4. Tongues is all about the self and only builds up a person. This is an important statement coming after ch. 13 on love. Love builds up others. It invests in others. It sacrifices the self in order to help others grow closer to God. Love acts like Jesus who gave himself up for us in love (Philippians 2:1-11; Ephesians 5:1-2). This essentially puts speaking in tongues outside of love. It is a form of self-love not others-love. Since it builds up the self, it can then open one up to the temptation of selfishness, which was one of the problems in the Corinthian church. Any gift that does not build up the church should not be practiced in the church lest it lead people to “take” rather than “give.” That is one of the dangers of tongues: it is an opportunity for a person to boast of spiritual maturity and as a proof of being filled with the Spirit. This is all opposite of what Paul writes in this letter and all his other letters.
Prophecy builds up the church. It helps others come to know the truth of the gospel. It is evangelistic and edifying. It is concerned that other people come to know the gospel. It is outward focused and so is consistent with love. It does the same thing as love in seeking to build up the church.
Verse 5 shows Paul’s preference. The first statement can be challenging to interpret in light of what Paul has just said. He wants them to speak in tongues. This statement should be read within its context, especially the next statements, that prophecy is greater. Paul does not say that tongues are evil or of the devil in this letter. But he does put qualifications on tongues in order to show the greater spiritual gift of prophecy. Paul introduces an idea that he will develop in the following verses, that prophecy is the greater gift and more useful to the church. It is more consistent with the mission of the church, which is to make preach the gospel so people can be saved. The exception to this is that tongues must be interpreted to have any value in the church. Spiritual gifts are given to build up the church, not the individual. These gifts are all about love, not self.
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