What does Paul mean by tongues in 1 Corinthians 14:5?
Paul means tongues as languages—plural languages. In 1 Corinthians 14:5 he wishes they all could speak with tongues, explaining this as the ability to speak dialects in Macedonia, languages in North Africa, and Latin in Rome. The singular unknown tongue edifies only oneself, while prophecy edifies the congregation.
Les explains that verse 5’s tongues are plural, meaning languages. Paul says, “I would that you all spake with tongues,” and illustrates it by saying it would be nice if they could go up into northern Greece and Macedonia and speak those dialects, go across to North Africa and speak those languages, or go back to Rome and speak Latin. This contrasts with the singular unknown tongue in verse 4, which edifies only the speaker—an ego trip—whereas prophesying, speaking forth God’s Word, edifies, exhorts, and comforts the whole congregation.
I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
More Questions
What did Paul mean by 'I would that you all spake with tongues'?
Paul's statement 'I would that you all spake with tongues' means he wished they could all speak multiple languages and dialects, such as those in Macedonia and North Africa, and Latin in Rome.
Why is prophecy greater than speaking in tongues in 1 Corinthians 14:5?
The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks with languages, unless the tongues-speaker can interpret so that the church may receive edification.
Why did Paul say it would be great if everyone spoke in tongues?
Paul's wish that all spoke in languages made sense because acquiring a language supernaturally would spare workers the years of study missionaries today must undergo — four or five years of language school before they can go to the field.