1 Corinthians 14:2

“For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue, etc.] Or with tongues, as some copies and the Ethiopic version read: Dr. Lightfoot thinks, that the Hebrew tongue, which was become a dead language, and understood but by few, is here meant, and that not without reason; seeing the public prayers, preaching, and singing of psalms among the Jews, were in this languages f284; in imitation of whom, such ministers, who had the gift of speaking this language, read the Scriptures, preached, prayed, and sung psalms in it, which were no ways to the edification of the people, who understood it not; upon which account the apostle recommends prophesying, praying, and singing, in a language that was understood:…”

“speaketh . . . unto God--who alone understands all languages. no man understandeth--generally speaking; the few who have the gift of interpreting tongues are the exception. in the spirit--as opposed to "the understanding" (Co1 14:14). mysteries--unintelligible to the hearers, exciting their wonder, rather than instructing them. Corinth, being a mart resorted to by merchants from Asia, Africa, and Europe, would give scope amidst its mixed population for the exercise of the gift of tongues; but its legitimate use was in an audience understanding the tongue of the speaker, not, as the Corinthians abused it, in mere display.”

“For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue - This verse is designed to show that the faculty of speaking intelligibly, and to the edification of the church, is of more value than the power of speaking a foreign language. The reason is, that however valuable may be the endowment in itself, and however important the truth which he may utter, yet it is as if he spoke to God only. No one could understand him. Speaketh not unto men - Does not speak so that people can understand him. His address is really not made to people, that is, to the church. He might have this faculty without being able to speak to the edification of the church. It is possible that the power of speaking foreign languages and…”

“He that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaks, in effect, not to men, but to God - Who alone understands him. 1 Corinthians 14:4”

“14:2-4 The problem with the gift of speaking in tongues is that hearers cannot readily understand the message; the gift of prophecy, however, is immediately intelligible and beneficial as a word from God that strengthens . . . encourages . . . and comforts those who hear.”

“he that: Co1 14:9-11, Co1 14:16, Co1 14:21, Co1 14:22; Gen 11:7, Gen 42:23; Deu 28:49; Kg2 18:26; Act 2:4-11, Act 10:46; Act 19:6 understandeth: Gr. heareth, Act 22:9 howbeit: Co1 2:7, Co1 2:10, Co1 13:2, Co1 15:51; Psa 49:3, Psa 49:4, Psa 78:2; Mat 13:11; Mar 4:11; Rom 16:25; Eph 3:3-9, Eph 6:19; Col 1:26, Col 1:27, Col 2:2; Ti1 3:9, Ti1 3:16; Rev 10:7 1 Corinthians 14:3”