To avoid being misunderstood, Paul expresses appreciation for the gift of tongues. Yet he emphasizes once again that the gift of prophecy is better. Again, the measure of a gift’s worth is its potential to build up the church.
Upon hearing that Eldad and Medad were prophesying in the camp, Moses said, Would that all the Lord's people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!
(Numbers 11:29). Paul is probably alluding to these words, thereby reminding the Corinthians of Moses’ own regard for prophecy.
Of course, Paul’s statement that he wants everyone to speak in tongues and prophesy is only hypothetical. There were only some in the church who had the gift of tongues and only some who were prophets. This distribution of the gifts was in accordance with God’s sovereign will (1 Corinthians 12:11, 1 Corinthians 12:28–30).
There is, however, one way in which the gift of tongues can take its place alongside prophecy, as a gift that builds up the church: if someone interprets,
thereby enabling everyone to understand the message.
5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.