[1Corinthians 14:2 KJV] 2 For he that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth [him]; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
If a man speaks in an unknown tongue, he is speaking in a language that is unknown to those around him. He is not speaking what can be understood to men in his presence. In saying he is speaking unto God, this only means he is speaking into the air, not unto men. His purpose was to edify those around him, not to speak to God, but men.
[1Corinthians 2:11 KJV] 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
What does this mean? "howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries"in verse 2 above. The spirit of man knows what is within him. Others can't know it. So a man may know and understand the mysteries, but he can't communicate it to others if they can't understand the language he is speaking.
[1Corinthians 14:14 KJV] 14 For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
Look at how this verse is translated in other versions:
NLT For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying.
NIV For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
ESV For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful.
These versions say the exact opposite of what Paul is saying. Paul is saying if I pray aloud in an unknown tongue, his spirit prays with understanding, but it is unfruitful/unproductive because what he understands cant be conveyed to benefit others; they cant understand the language to know what he is praying.
The other Bible versions are saying that Paul would have no understanding of his prayer, which is totally opposite of what Paul wrote. These translations have fostered the wrong belief that there is a "prayer language", in which, we pray in tongues, but don't understand what we are praying; we are praying by inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
[1Corinthians 14:15 KJV] 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.
Paul reiterates that he understands what he is praying.
[1Corinthians 14:16-17 KJV] 16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? 17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
What Paul understands in his prayer is to be made known to those present for their edification.
If a man speaks in an unknown tongue, he is speaking in a language that is unknown to those around him. He is not speaking what can be understood to men in his presence. In saying he is speaking unto God, this only means he is speaking into the air, not unto men. His purpose was to edify those around him, not to speak to God, but men.
[1Corinthians 2:11 KJV] 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
What does this mean? "howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries"in verse 2 above. The spirit of man knows what is within him. Others can't know it. So a man may know and understand the mysteries, but he can't communicate it to others if they can't understand the language he is speaking.
[1Corinthians 14:14 KJV] 14 For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
Look at how this verse is translated in other versions:
NLT For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying.
NIV For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
ESV For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful.
These versions say the exact opposite of what Paul is saying. Paul is saying if I pray aloud in an unknown tongue, his spirit prays with understanding, but it is unfruitful/unproductive because what he understands cant be conveyed to benefit others; they cant understand the language to know what he is praying.
The other Bible versions are saying that Paul would have no understanding of his prayer, which is totally opposite of what Paul wrote. These translations have fostered the wrong belief that there is a "prayer language", in which, we pray in tongues, but don't understand what we are praying; we are praying by inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
[1Corinthians 14:15 KJV] 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.
Paul reiterates that he understands what he is praying.
[1Corinthians 14:16-17 KJV] 16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? 17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
What Paul understands in his prayer is to be made known to those present for their edification.
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