“Therefore,
Those who speak
In a tongue
Should pray
For the power
To interpret tongues.”
Διὸ ὁ λαλῶν γλώσσῃ προσευχέσθω ἵνα διερμηνεύῃ.
Paul then said that those who speak in a tongue (Διὸ ὁ λαλῶν γλώσσῃ) should pray (προσευχέσθω) for the power to interpret tongues (ἵνα διερμηνεύῃ). Paul wanted anyone in Corinth who was speaking in tongues to pray for the power to interpret tongues. Paul put a lot of emphasis on the interpretation of tongues rather than the speaking in tongues itself. He wanted the community, not the individuals to develop. They should pray to have more interpreters of the tongues, rather than to have more tongue speakers. Would you rather be a tongue speaker or an interpreter of tongues?
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 