Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Corinthians 14:5

"Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying." — 1 Corinthians 14:5 (ASV)

I would that you all spoke with tongues. It is an important endowment and, in its place, is not to be undervalued.

It may be of great service in the cause of truth. If properly regulated and not abused, I would rejoice if these extraordinary endowments were conferred on all.

I have no envy against any who possess it and no opposition to the endowment. However, I wish that it should not be overvalued, and I desire to give proper recognition to the more useful but humble gift of speaking for the edification of the church.

Greater is he that prophesies. This gift is of more value, and he who prophesies really occupies a more elevated rank in the church. He is more useful.

The idea here is that talents are not to be estimated by their brilliancy but by their usefulness. The power of speaking in an unknown tongue was certainly a more striking endowment than that of speaking simply to be useful; yet the apostle tells us that the latter is the more valuable.

So it is always. A man who is useful, however humble and unknown he may be, really occupies a more elevated and venerable rank than the man of most splendid talents and dazzling eloquence who accomplishes nothing in saving the souls of men.

Except he interpret. However important and valuable the truth might be that he uttered, it would be useless to the church unless he explains it in language they could understand.

In that case, the apostle does not deny that the power of speaking foreign languages was a higher endowment and more valuable than the gift of prophecy. That the man who spoke foreign languages had the power of interpreting is evident from this verse.

From 1 Corinthians 14:27, it appears that the office of interpreting was sometimes performed by others.

“Tongues” refers to “different languages.” For “edifying,” see 1 Corinthians 14:26.