Why did Paul single out these two gifts of the Spirit? I am sure that these gifts were being misused in the church. Paul first says that the gift of prophecy is superior to that of tongues because it builds up the church. He then does the surprising thing of saying that the one who speaks in an unknown language should pray that he/she will have the gift of interpretation. We would have thought that he would say that the one who speaks in an unknown tongue should pray for the gift of prophecy but he doesn't.
Paul's concern was for order in worship. He didn't forbid speaking in tongues but he put limitations on the gift. First, no tongues without interpretation and then only two or three. But notice that he also puts limitations on prophecy as well. The church gatherings were not to be a free-for-all but a time to edify the body.
Paul says that tongues are a sign to the unbeliever and prophecy is a sign to the believer. Again we would expect him to say that if an unbeliever came into our midst he would hear the speaking in an unknown language and be convicted but rather he says that the unbeliever would say that these people were out of their minds. He goes on to explain that the gift of prophecy is what would bring conviction to the unbeliever and they would respond by saying that surely God is in this place.
So why are tongues a sign to the unbeliever? Tongues to an unbeliever are a sign of condemnation and that they need to hear the Word of the Lord. What about prophecy and the believer? As the Word of God goes forth and convicts people of sins, both believers and unbelievers, they see that the Spirit of God is working in their midst.
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