What happens when I pray in an unknown tongue?
Praying in an unknown tongue means the spirit prays while the understanding remains unfruitful. Paul asks what good it does to speak in a language you do not know, and notes that even if God can discern it, the person cannot. Scripture does not indicate God expects this practice.
Les explains that Paul, speaking in the first person, says if he prays in an unknown tongue, his spirit prays but his understanding is unfruitful. The unknown tongue is singular—a sound that cannot be reduced to phonetic sound or writing. Les asks what good it does to speak in a language you do not know. Some might answer that God understands, but the Book does not say God does that. Though God, being omniscient, could if He wanted, nothing in Scripture indicates He expects people to do this. In verse 15 Paul says he will pray with the Spirit—his own innermost being, a small spirit—and also pray with understanding. Les asks how many would talk to God in prayer without knowing what they are saying; even if God may discern it, the person cannot. Thus praying in an unknown tongue leaves the understanding unfruitful.
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
What does it mean in 1 Corinthians 14:14 that if I pray in an unknown tongue my spirit prays but my understanding is unfruitful?
In 1 Corinthians 14:14, praying in an unknown tongue means the person’s own spirit is praying, but his understanding is unfruitful because he does not know what he is saying. Paul asks what good it does to speak to God in a language you cannot understand, even if God could discern it.
What good does it do for an individual to speak in a tongue they don't understand?
Paul says praying in an unknown tongue leaves the understanding unfruitful, so it does the individual no good to speak a language he does not know. While God is omniscient and could discern it, Scripture gives no indication He expects this. Prayer should be with the spirit and with understanding.
More Questions
What good does it do to pray in a language you don't understand?
It does no good to speak or pray in a language you do not understand, because you do not know what you are talking about, and even if God can discern it, you cannot.
What good does it do to speak in an unknown tongue if you don't know what you're saying?
Paul asks what good it does to speak in a language when you don't know what you're talking about, so praying in an unknown tongue profits nothing even for the individual.
What does 'unknown tongue' mean in 1 Corinthians 14:14?
In 1 Corinthians 14:14 the 'unknown tongue' is singular, a sound that cannot be reduced to a phonetic sound or reduced to writing.