I once knew a man who saw this in a more practical manner. He didn’t even believe it had anything to do with “speaking in
languages” as we Pentecostals would interpret it. He sees it as order for the church in regards to saints who speak foreign
languages. For example if a man speaks Arabic, “an unknown
language”, he shouldn’t speak in a gathering unless he or another can interpret him. And there should be a limit to foreign speakers of three. If this man comes to a gathering and finds that they do not adequately understand his
language he should remain silent and pray only to himself and to God. My 'ol friend sees it as down to earth practical guidance to a church in a region where people often spoke multiple
languages. In his interpretation it would read:
I Corinthians 14:1-40 (modified)
{14:1} Follow after charity, and desire spiritual [gifts,]
but rather that ye may prophesy. {14:2} For he that
speaketh in an [unknown]
language speaketh not unto men,
but unto God: for no man understandeth [him;] howbeit in
the spirit he speaketh mysteries. {14:3} But he that
prophesieth speaketh unto men [to] edification, and
exhortation, and comfort. {14:4} He that speaketh in an
[unknown]
language edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth
edifieth the church. {14:5} I would that ye all spake with
languages, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater [is] he
that prophesieth than he that speaketh with
languages, except
he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. {14:6}
Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with
languages,
what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by
revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by
doctrine? {14:7} And even things without life giving sound,
whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the
sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
{14:8} For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall
prepare himself to the battle? {14:9} So likewise ye, except
ye utter by the
language words easy to be understood, how
shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the
air. {14:10} There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices
in the world, and none of them [is] without signification.
{14:11} Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I
shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that
speaketh [shall be] a barbarian unto me. {14:12} Even so
ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual [gifts,] seek that
ye may excel to the edifying of the church. {14:13}
Wherefore let him that speaketh in an [unknown]
language
pray that he may interpret. {14:14} For if I pray in an
[unknown]
language, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding
is unfruitful. {14:15} What is it then? I will pray with the
spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will
sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding
also. {14:16} Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how
shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen
at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what
thou sayest? {14:17} For thou verily givest thanks well, but
the other is not edified. {14:18} I thank my God, I speak
with
languages more than ye all: {14:19} Yet in the church I
had rather speak five words with my understanding, that [by
my voice] I might teach others also, than ten thousand
words in an [unknown]
language. {14:20} Brethren, be not
children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children,
but in understanding be men. {14:21} In the law it is
written, With [men of] other
languages and other lips will I
speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear
me, saith the Lord. {14:22} Wherefore
languages are for a
sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not:
but prophesying [serveth] not for them that believe not, but
for them which believe. {14:23} If therefore the whole
church be come together into one place, and all speak with
languages, and there come in [those that are] unlearned, or
unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? {14:24} But
if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or
[one] unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
{14:25} And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest;
and so falling down on [his] face he will worship God, and
report that God is in you of a truth. {14:26} How is it then,
brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a
psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a
language, hath a revelation, hath
an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
{14:27} If any man speak in an [unknown]
language, [let it
be] by two, or at the most [by] three, and [that] by course;
and let one interpret. {14:28} But if there be no interpreter,
let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to
himself, and to God. {14:29} Let the prophets speak two or
three, and let the other judge. {14:30} If [any thing] be
revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his
peace. {14:31} For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all
may learn, and all may be comforted. {14:32} And the
spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. {14:33}
For God is not [the author] of confusion, but of peace, as in
all churches of the saints. {14:34} Let your women keep
silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to
speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as
also saith the law. {14:35} And if they will learn any thing,
let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for
women to speak in the church. {14:36} What? came the
word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
{14:37} If any man think himself to be a prophet, or
spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write
unto you are the commandments of the Lord. {14:38} But if
any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. {14:39}
Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to
speak with
languages. {14:40} Let all things be done decently
and in order.
I don’t agree…but I found it to be a novel interpretation. lol