The Purpose and Place of Tongues

Tongues were never given for a private prayer language.  Certainly the gift was not given for personal aggrandizement.  Rather, the gift of tongues was given as a sign.  What is the nature of this sign?  Note the threefold purpose of the sign.

First, tongues were confirmatory.  They confirmed the genuineness of the message of the apostles (see Acts 2, 10, and 19).

Second, tongues were a warning or sign of judgment to unbelievers.  (see Isa. 28:1-13)

Third, tongues were a sign of hardening of the hearts of unbelievers (again see Isa. 28:1-13).

As for the place of tongues, Paul relegates it to a place of minimal significance when compared to prophecy in the gathering of the church body.