Speaking in Tongues for What Purpose?

Spiritual gifts are one of the means by which God is accomplishing His work through His people - the church, today. By carefully studying the Scriptures we find all we need to know to fully use the gifts He gives. At the same time, in an attempt to hinder the work of God in the world today - Satan and the world continue opposing God's work with efforts to stir up confusion, controversy and division in the church. One such area of opposition has surrounded the gift of tongues.

In this portion of his epistle, Paul contrasts the gifts of verbal communication - prophecy and tongues.
The contrast is drawn by directing attention back to the purpose of the gifts, what was being spoken and to whom. In doing so much of the confusion about the gift of speaking in tongues and what God intended it to accomplish is clarified.