1 Corinthians 14:10-13
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. 11 Therefore, 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. 12 Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. 13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. 11 Therefore, 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. 12 Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. 13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
There are over 6,900 languages in the present world, all with varying sounds and ways of saying similar things, yet for the most part completely unintelligible to outsiders. But these mean nothing if not understood, as foreigners between speakers and hearers. Therefore, any spiritual gifting for speaking in other languages must be to those knowing that divinely given language, or someone who knows it must interpret to convey God’s meaning that brings understanding to the scriptures being brought out. If the speaker or another cannot interpret, there is no spiritually eternal value, only speaking selfishly. We are given gifts to glorify God by building each other up, not to entertain others or commend ourselves.
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