1 Corinthians 14:13-15, Pray and Singing with Understanding

1 Corinthians 14:13-15 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

When a man prays publicly in the church in a language that the congregation does not understand, it is an unfruitful spiritual endeavour. This is because the hearers were not edified. As such, the believer praying in the spirit must seek to also help others understand his prayer.

It is the same when a hymn is sung. It is to be sung in the language which the congregation could understand so that they can be strengthened in the faith by the godly words that were conveyed. Whenever there are those who do not understand the language used in the church meeting, it is needful that there be given to them an interpretation of the language that these can understand. Otherwise, those who do not understand will not be helped in their faith. With modern audio equipment, there can be interpretation made by a translator speaking into a transmitter and the listeners put on earphones to receive the interpretation. Common hymns can be selected in the language of all listeners so that all may sing in their own language. Such equipment allows for many channels hence having the capability of supporting the translation of multiple languages at the same time by different interpreters.

May the church pray with the spirit of understanding and sing with the spirit, with the understanding also. Amen.