John Calvin Commentary 1 Corinthians 14:27

"If any man speaketh in a tongue, [let it be] by two, or at the most three, and [that] in turn; and let one interpret:" — 1 Corinthians 14:27 (ASV)

If any one speak in another tongue. He now describes the order and limits the measure. “If you wish to speak with other tongues, let only two speak, or, at most, not more than three, and let there be at the same time an interpreter sitting by. Without an interpreter, tongues are of no advantage; therefore, they should be dispensed with.”

It is to be observed, however, that he does not command, but merely permits; for the Church can, without any inconvenience, dispense with tongues, except insofar as they are aids to prophecy, as the Hebrew and Greek languages are today. Paul, however, makes this concession, so that he may not seem to deprive the assembly of believers of any gift of the Spirit.

At the same time, it might seem as if even this were not reasonable, since he said before (1 Corinthians 14:22) that tongues, insofar as they are for a sign, are suited to unbelievers. I answer that while a miracle may be performed more specifically for unbelievers, it nevertheless does not follow that it cannot also be of some advantage to believers.

If you understand that an unknown tongue is a sign to unbelievers in the sense that Isaiah’s words mean, the method of procedure that Paul here prescribes is different. For he allows other tongues in such a way that, when interpretation is joined with them, nothing is left obscure.

He observes, therefore, a most admirable balance in correcting the fault of the Corinthians. On the one hand, he does not at all set aside any gift of God, so that all His benefits may be seen among believers. On the other hand, he makes a limitation—that ambition does not usurp the place that is due to the glory of God, and that no gift of inferior importance stands in the way of those that are of chief importance; and he adds the sauce—that there be no mere ostentation, lacking benefit.