In chapter one of First Corinthians, the Apostle Paul stated that the church was not lacking in any spiritual gift.  Unfortunately, it seems that some in the church were misusing these gifts of the Spirit.  So Paul deals with this in chapters 12-14.  When he comes to chapter 14, he focuses on two of the more public gifts: prophesying and speaking in tongues.  Paul sets forth his desire that the church would most value prophesying while putting restrictions on the exercise of both gifts in the public worship service.