1 Corinthians 14:13 (ESV)
Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.
The Corinthian believers were very much into the sign gifts. Tongues and prophecy were their muse. Paul is writing to give them instructions on how to use these gifts. He has already outlined many principles for them to follow regarding tongues, but the above adds one more instruction.
Paul realizes that an unknown tongue is just that, unknown. He instructs them to, therefore, pray for someone to interpret. His point is that what good is it if they can speak in an unknown tongue and there is no one to tell you what the tongue said.
Our modern day tongue movement would do well to follow this rule. The Corinthians were into the experience of tongues. Who would not want to speak, in the Spirit, in a tongue they didn’t know? That is first hand miracle experience. But that also does not edify or convey anything that can glorify God, if there is no one to interpret the tongue.
Paul gives them this instruction, like each of his tongue guidelines, to make sure the tongue gift is used in a way that glorifies God, edifies the Body and points others to Christ. Paul has spent the last three chapters writing about how the gifts are numerous and for the purpose of glorifying God and make the Body work. A gift like tongues can do that. But it can also draw attention to itself. That is not the point of any gift. If tongues are for today they still have to follow the guidelines of yesterday.
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