No obstacle is to be placed in the way of the exercise of the gift of tongues. The only thing to be guarded against is the use of the gift in public meetings when no interpreter is present (see Additional Note at end of chapter).
Covet.
Gr. zēloō. “to be zealous for.” Summing up his argument, Paul reaffirms the priority given to prophecy in v. 1, where he pointed to the gift of prophecy as the most desirable spiritual endowment Christians could seek. It is highly desirable that one be able to speak under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in such a way that the church will be edified.