A frequent misinterpretation treats this instruction as a total ban on speaking in tongues in church, overlooking Paul's allowance for it when an interpreter is present to make it edifying. Others wrongly assume 'speaking to himself, and to God' implies tongues are meaningless or imaginary in private, whereas it validates personal devotional use without public disruption. Some apply it legalistically to silence all spontaneous prayer or worship lacking verbal clarity, missing the specific context of the revelatory gift of tongues intended for congregational benefit.
I Corinthians 14:28
King James Version (1769)
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
This passage underscores the principle of orderly worship in the church assembly, directing that if someone receives a message in tongues but no interpreter is available to translate it for the congregation's understanding, they must remain silent publicly and instead pray or speak in tongues privately to God alone. The core truth emphasizes communal edification over individual expression, ensuring that spiritual gifts like tongues contribute meaningfully to the building up of the entire body of believers rather than causing confusion.