Mike, Here are the verses we have been looking at in the KJV.
12Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
13Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
14For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15What 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.
16Else 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?
17For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
19Yet 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.
I want you to try something for me. Read the verses that I posted and remember that the writer is sternly rebuking the reader. He is angered at the readers actions and what is going on with a church he founded. Now, also keep in mind that the KJV interpreters use the word "unknown" be fore tongues in many places here. They are referring to Gibberish when they use "unknown Tongue". This is the mis-use of the gift of Tongues (languages). Gibberish can not be interpreted, only a real leanguage can be. Verse 13 for example takes on a whole new meaning. Pray to interpret gibberish? Paul is making a tough point because what he said was impossible to do. He is driving home the need for people to only speak in the langauge that the assembly speaks because standing up and speaking gibberish is worhless to the speaker and the listener because there is no understanding. You mention the word "spirit" in verse 14 and 15 a lot. It is spirit, small "s". It is not the Holy Spirit being spoken of here. Paul is saying that inside you you may be praying but it is unfruitful if you and the hearers do not know what is being said. People were even singing in gibberish and paul says, Yea, you are singing but it must be done with understanding or it is not right. That is why he used the Bugle point right before that. Anyway, got to go. read the verses as a rebuke and remember if "unknown" is before the word Tongues it is speaking about gibberish, not the real gift of tongues.
In Christ,
Brian