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.
Les explains that in 1 Corinthians 14:14 Paul speaks in the first person and makes the matter plain. The “unknown tongue” is singular—a sound that cannot be reduced to a phonetic sound or reduced to writing. So if Paul prays in such an unknown tongue, his own spirit prays, but his understanding is unfruitful. Les emphasizes that even for the individual, Paul asks what good it does to speak in a language you do not know you are talking about. Some answer that God does something, but the Book does not say He does. Since God is omniscient He certainly can if He wants to, but nothing indicates God expects people to do this—not a word. Then in verse 15 Paul says he will pray with the Spirit, meaning from his innermost being, his own small spirit, and he will also pray with understanding. Les applies it by asking what good it would do to talk to God in prayer, whether thanksgiving or supplication, in something you do not know what you are talking about. Even if God may be able to discern it, what if you cannot?
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
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.