If the gift of prophecy is explicitly declared to be greater than the gift of tongues, why do some denominations emphasize speaking in tongues? I think the answer is that speaking in unknown tongues is less susceptible to being proven false. When someone utters a supposed prophecy people can watch for the prophecy to come true or fail to come true. When someone speaks in a supposedly unknown tongue gibberish is just as believable as something that is actually inspired.
Paul points out that speaking in an unknown tongue didn’t edify others unless there is someone to interpret while prophecy benefits all who hear it.
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