{13} If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

(13) The manner how to use the gift of tongues. It may be lawful for one or two, or at the most for three, to use the gift of tongues, one after another in an assembly, so that there is someone to expound their utterances. But if there are none to expound, let him that has the gift speak to himself alone.

People's New Testament

14:27 If any man speak in an unknown language. He must speak

by two, or at the most three, two, or at the most three sentences

by course, in succession. Most commentators refer two or three to persons speaking. I follow Macknight. See PNT 1Co 14:29.

And let one interpret. And another, who has the gift of interpretation, must interpret. See 1Co 12:10.

Wesley's Notes

14:27 By two or three at most - Let not above two or three speak at one meeting. And that by course - That is, one after another. And let one interpret - Either himself, 1Cor 14:13; or, if he have not the gift, some other, into the vulgar tongue. It seems, the gift of tongues was an instantaneous knowledge of a tongue till then unknown, which he that received it could afterwards speak when he thought fit, without any new miracle.

King James Translators' Notes

two...: by two or three sentences separately

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

27. let it be by two-at each time, in one assembly; not more than two or three might speak with tongues at each meeting.

by course-in turns.

let one interpret-one who has the gift of interpreting tongues; and not more than one.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

14:26-33 Religious exercises in public assemblies should have this view; Let all be done to edifying. As to the speaking in an unknown tongue, if another were present who could interpret, two miraculous gifts might be exercised at once, and thereby the church be edified, and the faith of the hearers confirmed at the same time. As to prophesying, two or three only should speak at one meeting, and this one after the other, not all at once. The man who is inspired by the Spirit of God will observe order and decency in delivering his revelations. God never teaches men to neglect their duties, or to act in any way unbecoming their age or station.