Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Corinthians 14:2

"For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth; but in the spirit he speaketh mysteries." — 1 Corinthians 14:2 (ASV)

Paul now begins to show why tongues are not to be preferred. In speaking in tongues, the speaker is talking only to God (cf. Romans 8:26) in a language unknown to other people. “Mysteries” (GK 3696) refers to the deep truths of God’s salvation (cf. Acts 2:11). “By [or, with] the spirit” does not refer to the Holy Spirit, who is not mentioned in the context, but to the person’s own spirit (vv.14–15).