Translation
Moreover, I desire that all of you speak in [unknown] tongues,
Go to footnote numberbut rather [I desire]
Go to footnote numberthat you should prophecy; and greater is the one who prophesies
Go to footnote numberthan the one who speaks in [unknown] tongues, unless he were to interpret, so that the church might fully receive
Go to footnote numberedification. (See Comments below.)
Paraphrase
Furthermore, my sincere desire is that all of you would pray in the language of groans and tears the way I do; but even more than that, I would love to hear all you speak God-given instructions and exhortations to each other. The one who gives such spiritual admonition has a greater impact on the congregation than the one who speaks unintelligible utterances in the presence of everyone at the meeting. The only way the impact of the one who speaks with unintelligible utterances can be brought up to the same level of benefit to the congregation as the one who gives spiritual exhortation is if he also could share the meaning of the message the way Peter did at Pentecost. But that same person being chosen is unlikely. (See Comments below.)
Footnotes
1: Tongues
This is their word for “languages”.
2
The verb for “I desire” is not mentioned a second time but the idea of desire is carried by the subjunctive tense of the verb “prophesy”; the subjunctive denotes, among other things, action that is desired.
3
The one who prophecies is called “greater” within the context of the congregation because he teaches and edifies the other believers.
4: "might fully receive"
This verb is an Aorist subjunctive; the Aorist tense gives it a sense of fullness, while the subjunctive brings the idea of “might, or might be,”
WHAT TYPE OF INTERPRETATION WAS PAUL REFERRING TO?
I am convinced that the only valid type of interpretation possible would have to accompany the only type of valid tongues that might require interpretation. That would be tongues as seen on Pentecost. What they were doing in Corinth was not correct because it did not follow the rules for spiritual gifts, therefore an interpretation of what they called tongues would likewise be false. But even if it were made up, it could possibly be of benefit for the congregation if it communicated spiritual truth. But in that case, it would be better to simply state the spiritual truth as an admonition, not as a fake tongue followed by a fake interpretation which happens to convey an obvious spiritual truth. (See 14:13 for a bit more about proper and improper interpretation.)
WHAT IS BEING COMPARED HERE?
This verse is a comparison of two people and their gifts. That is why Paul says “unless he were to interpret” even though this would be highly unexpected. But if he brought in another person at this point, he would ruin his comparison of two people. But either way, whether by needing to bring in another person, or by stating something that is unlikely, he is communicating that the type of tongues practiced in Corinth do not make someone “great,” i.e. greatly beneficial to the congregation.
How likely is it that the same person speak in tongues and also share the interpretation?
Not very likely. It appears from I Corinthians 12:28-30 that we should expect a different person to be given the gift of interpretation, not the same person who has been given the gift of public tongues. It appears that God likes to spread His gifts around to lots of different people.
THE GIFT OF TONGUES IS IMPORTANT, BUT NOT ALL-IMPORTANT
How do we know speaking in tongues is important?
Speaking in tongues is listed as one of the undeserved gifts of the Holy Spirit. If the Holy Spirit grants something as a gift of grace for ministry to others, then it will be effective and useful in ministering to others. That is the purpose and function of spiritual gifts. In God’s economy, importance is measured by how much glory it gives to God and how effective it is in ministering to others.
Counterfeits are only created for things that are important. This is true in the physical world regarding counterfeit money, jewelry, etc., and true in the spiritual realm as well. Satan has guided the creation of, or assisted in the creation of, counterfeits of tongues because he knows they are powerful and he does not want the Holy Spirit to get any mileage out of the real thing. Satan remembers the Pentecost of Acts chapter 2, he was there, and he saw the results of tongues spoken there. He also knows that tongues is much easier to counterfeit than other things such as the fruit of the Spirit.
The private use of tongues teaches us some key principles for the Christian life.
The proper gift of tongues is something that only God can give. That also makes it important.
Also Paul refused to prohibit the use of tongues, even though I think some people wanted him to do so.
How do we know the gift of tongues is not all-important
Not everyone should speak in tongues; that is not how the Spirit works (I Cor 12:4-20).
Paul clearly indicates that prophecy is far more important (i.e. more impactful in the lives of others) than tongues (I Cor 14:1,3,4,5).
He even implies that tongues is the undesirable, less honorable gift, needing to be concealed (I Cor 12:22-24). In that case he was referring to private tongues which should remain private.
Speaking in tongues is only mentioned directly in 1 of the 13 epistles we know Paul wrote, in zero of the general epistles, and was never mentioned by Jesus.
The gift of tongues only appears in Paul’s two lists of spiritual gifts or roles in ministry found in I Corinthians 12 (vv. 8-11 & vv. 28-30) and the two sets of examples found in I Corinthians 14 (vv. 6 and 26). He did not mention it in the kindred lists given in Romans 12 and Ephesians 4. The four lists I have just mentioned (and the two sets of examples) are the only lists of the gifts of the spirit and their corresponding roles in ministry given in the Bible.
In I Corinthians 12:28, Paul places tongues at the end of the second half of his list, not as one of the first ones listed that are described with adjectives like, “first, second, and third.”
So, we see that the gift of tongues is important, but not all-important.
PRIVATE TONGUES REQUIRE SPECIAL HONOR
Remember that Paul said in I Corinthians 12 that tongues (private tongues here) is the spiritual gift that “lacks strength” (v 22), is “without honor” (v 23), is “shapeless or unattractive” (v 23), and “deficient” (vs 23). Private tongues is also the gift of the Spirit that requires special honor (v 23). All these are true, not because private tongues is not effective, but because it is covered up i.e. private. It should remain private, or you will violate its purpose and ruin its effectiveness.