1 Corinthians 14:12

1 Corinthians 14:12 says, Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.  Paul was still teaching those in the church at Corinth about speaking in tongues.  He was attempting to clarify some misunderstandings in the church, the same way he had just done with the observance of the Lord's Supper. Of course, his teachings apply to the church for all ages.  Paul said they were zealous of, or really wanted, spiritual gifts, but that they should want those that edify the church.  I believe we can really say that we are to be zealous that our own spiritual gift or gifts be revealed to us so that the church as a whole may be edified, and that we are not to seek a particular spiritual gift.  Verse thirteen adds, Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.  Paul tells us that if we are speaking in an unknown tongue, or language, that we are to pray that we may interpret what we are saying.  As I have already stated, I do not believe that God would have a person publicly speaking in an unknown tongue, or language, if everyone understood the same language.  This was never a sign of a greater spiritual blessing to be sought by all people but was a way to reach those who spoke other languages with the gospel.  Verse fourteen continues, For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.  Paul said that even in his prayer life if he prayed in an unknown tongue by his spirit that his understanding was not fruitful.  We must have an understanding of what is being said for it to be beneficial to us.  God may understand even our thoughts, but we must acknowledge what they mean for it to benefit us.  Verse fifteen states, 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.  I believe that Paul was saying that when he prayed or sang in the spirit that he did so with understanding.  Some interpret this as meaning praying or singing in an unknown tongue, or language, as a sign of being caught up in the Spirit as the expression goes, but even if so interpreted, what is being said must be interpreted to be useful.  I know there are those who will disagree, but I do not believe that God will lead us to speak in an unknown tongue, or language, if we all speak the same language.  Verse sixteen adds, 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?  Paul asked how anyone could agree with what we said if they did not understand what we said.  To say amen is to say so be it, and how can we say that to something that we do not understand.  Verse seventeen continues, For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. Paul tells us that we might give thanks for this from our own perspective, but that we do not edify, or help others, in their understanding.  Verse eighteen says, I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:  Paul was not jealous of the ability to speak in other languages.  He said he spoke in more than all the others.  When we consider his missionary journeys, we know that he went to many different places and proclaimed the gospel, and the people understood him.  In verse nineteen Paul adds, 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 tongue.  Paul said in the church that he would rather speak five words that were understood that others might learn from him, than to speak ten thousand words that were not understood.  Likewise, we must witness to and teach people with words that they understand.