1 Corinthians 14:13-19
Spirit-empowered worship must also be intelligible so that the church is built up.
13 Therefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
16 Otherwise if you bless with the spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, seeing he doesn’t know what you say?
17 For you most certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up.
18 I thank my God, I speak with other languages more than you all.
19 However in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in another language.
Spirit-empowered worship must also be intelligible so that the church is built up.
Paul instructs those who speak in tongues to seek interpretation so that the gathered church may understand and be edified.
Following his argument that spiritual speech must communicate meaning (14:6–12), Paul applies the principle directly to prayer, singing, and thanksgiving in the church gathering. His concern is not to suppress spiritual expression but to ensure that worship strengthens the whole body. Paul models balance by affirming that he speaks in tongues while still insisting that intelligible teaching is far more beneficial in the assembly.
Some Corinthians may have practiced tongues publicly in ways that others could not understand. Paul addresses this by stressing that speech in the gathered church should allow others to respond with understanding and affirmation.
Pursue Love, Desire Gifts, and Let All Things Be Done for Edification and Order
Because love seeks the good of others, spiritual gifts in gathered worship must be exercised in ways that are intelligible, edifying, discerning, peaceful, and orderly under the authority of the Lord.