Therefore indicates that this verse is linked with the previous sentence. From one point of view, it gives an example of what verse 12 states generally. However, it is an example of particular importance to Paul in this chapter. Within the general contrast between ecstatic sounds and intelligible language, the theme of prayer is central to verses 13-17. For this reason Revised Standard Version, Good News Bible, and other translations begin a new paragraph here.

Tongue may be rendered as “strange sounds,” “unintelligible sounds,” or “ecstatic speech.”

Good News Bible explains simply the meaning of power to interpret. One may say “the ability to explain what these strange sounds mean.”

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .