Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Corinthians 14:13

"Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may interpret." — 1 Corinthians 14:13 (ASV)

With the possibility before them of a non-understood tongue, Paul now argues that its interpretation must be sought. He urges this not only so that those who hear but do not understand may know the meaning, but also that the speaker himself may be benefited by getting an intellectual as well as a spiritual blessing from the exercise. The expression “my mind is unfruitful” means that the mind does not intelligently share in the blessing of the person’s spirit. The mind is that faculty in a person that is involved in conscious, meaningful reasoning. Paul desires the Corinthians to have a complete blessing here, both in their spirits and in their minds.