1 Corinthians 14:13 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.
This is Paul’s simple accommodation to the situation in Corinth. If someone in the church speaks in an unknown tongue, then it must be interpreted. Since speaking in tongues is a gift of the Spirit, so is interpretation of tongues. Why would the Holy Spirit lead someone to makes sounds that are confusing to others? The Holy Spirit will lead people to do things that build others up in their faith in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit will teach us the “mind of Christ,” as Paul wrote earlier in 1 Corinthians 2:16. The Spirit helps us grow in Christlikeness. Speaking in tongues for personal edification within the church contradicts this core principle. Paul will continue to press this issue in the following verses. For tongues to have any purpose or place in the church, it must be interpreted so that the gospel is clearly proclaimed and unbelievers come to faith.
For older posts, click here.