Much of what Paul wrote in his first inspired epistle to the first century Church at Corinth seems to have been in response to inquiries they had made about certain issues (7:1, 25, 8:1, 12:1, 16:1). In 7:1, he wrote, “Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me…” Paul began the extended section on the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12-14) by writing, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant.” (12:1) This probably means they were ignorant. In particular, they seemed to be ignorant regarding the gift of tongues (chapter 14).
Because the church lacked unity (1:10-11, 11:18), Paul addressed the exercise of spiritual gifts with a strong emphasis on the oneness of the body of Christ (chapter 12). In fact, he used the analogy of the human body which is, of course, one body, but has many parts. Each part is important and must be cared for. The gifts are given for the profit of the whole church or body (12:7) and must be exercised in love for one another (chapter 13). Perhaps, the Corinthians desired above all the gift of tongues and so in chapter 14, Paul indicated that prophecy was superior to tongues. Tongues were a sign not to believers but unbelievers (14:22), and so in the church, Paul would rather speak five words with understanding that he might teach others rather than ten thousand words in a tongue which no one understood (14:18-19). He said that he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men (14:3), and that prophecy should be desired rather than tongues.
We do not prophecy or speak in tongues today, but we are part of a local body of Christ, and so we must by love serve one another with the spiritual gift(s) God has given us. Because we are members of the same body, there must be no divisions, but we must have the same care for one another (12:25).