Is speaking in tongues forbidden, and what happens if it isn't interpreted?
Speaking in tongues is not forbidden; the chapter says it is not forbidden. Yet without interpretation it fails to communicate, making the speaker like a barbarian to others, beating the air. It becomes lost energy and time, causing commotion while no one is edified.
Les explains that Paul’s whole point in this chapter is communication. If the speaker does not know the meaning of the voice, he becomes like a barbarian to the hearer, and there is no understanding between an uncivilized person and a cultured man like Paul. Verse 12 urges believers to seek the edifying of the church, and verse 13 tells the one speaking in an unknown tongue to pray that he may interpret. Les says he is not condemning tongues people, because the last verse of the chapter says He does not forbid it, but unless the sound is reduced to something understandable, it is beating the air. It becomes lost energy and lost time; in Corinth it caused commotion in the congregation, and no one was edified. The chapter’s purpose is, in the Spirit of love, to bring people to a solid understanding.
Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.