The Corinthians, who were carnal according to Paul (1 Co 3:1-4), were abusing the gift of tongues much like many within Charismatic and Pentecostal churches today. Yet, Paul does not discredit the gift because of their misuse, nor does he discredit the Corinthians as if they did not have the gift.

Paul gently corrects them by teaching them the proper use of tongues in public assemblies, and explains to them the ramifications if they continue to misuse this gift in a disorderly manner. People need to be taught, not disqualified.

Oftentimes, opponents of speaking in tongues refer to it as gibberish, and one of the main reasons for this accusation is the public chaos that is often on display within charismatic and Pentecostal churches. Yet this is exactly what Paul tells the Corinthians would happen if they did not use the gift of tongues in an orderly manner in their public assemblies.

If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? ~ 1 Corinthians 14:23

How ironic is it that many who feel they are engaging in biblical apologetics in their rebuttal of tongues, are actually reacting exactly as Paul said they would. A careful reading of 1 Corinthians 14 reveals that speaking in tongues can be a blessing when exercised privately in one’s prayer life and devotion to God, but it also can be a hinderance to the work of God if it is exercised in a disorderly manner publicly.

Many modern day Charismatics and Pentecostals treat tongues as a badge of spirituality, but it isn’t. We know this because, as referenced above, the Corinthians were carnal believers (1 Corinthians 3:1-4), and they were out of order in how they used the gift. Thankfully, Paul not only addresses the misuse of tongues publicly in 1 Corinthians 14, but he also teaches about the benefit of tongues privately, and we should learn from this as much as we do from the correction.

Paul says that when a believer speaks in an unknown tongue, he is speaking not to man, but to God (v.2) and edifies himself (v.4). Some apologists use this (edifying one’s self) to argue against tongues as if it’s a selfish thing to do. Well, that would correct if we are talking about speaking in tongues public assemblies only, but Paul interweaves speaking in tongues in private devotion within his correction of how tongues ought to be used publicly.

Edifying yourself privately is a good thing. The Bible says, David encouraged himself in the Lord (1 Samuel 30:6), and anytime we minister to the Lord in private devotion by worshiping, praising, and thanking him, we are spiritually edified. In fact Paul refers to speaking in tongues as giving thanks well. However in a public assembly where the aim is to edify others, the other is not edified if they don’t know what you are saying.

For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 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. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. ~ 1 Corinthians 14:14-17

Notice that tongues are described as praying from our spirit, blessing with our spirit, and giving thanks well. Yet if there is no interpreter we should keep silent publicly because there would be no edification for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul follows the words above by saying, I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. ~ 1 Corinthians 14:18-19

In contrast to his much speaking in tongues, I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all, Paul’s desire was the edification of others in public assemblies. 1 Corinthians is not rebuke of speaking in tongues, it is gentle correction regarding its proper usage.

Notice that Paul mentions singing with the spirit (singing in tongues), which has been lost by many of today’s churches.

Years ago, me and some friends were praying together and one of them and myself suddenly began singing the same song in other tongues. This would have been impossible for us to fabricate. There is tremendous blessing when singing in other tongues (both in private and public with interpretation), and that needs to be rediscovered by many.

As I close I want to leave you with one other personal experience. Many years ago, I found myself praying in a certain dialect/language that I wasn’t familiar with. Then I visited a church service at an Indian reservation out in the western part of the united States, and guess what I heard when they prayed in their native language.

Speaking in tongues has been a great blessing in my life, and it can be in yours as well, but we need to be mindful to grow spiritually and not display it in a disorderly fashion.

If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. ~ 1 Corinthians 14:27-28

I hope this helps some who have questions.