Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy. 1 Corinthians 14:1 NLTv3 ... but one who prophesies speaks to men for edification, exhortation and consolation ... or as the NLT puts it, "strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them." Apparently the other gifts can't do this.
v4 'tongue' edifies the self whereas prophecy edifies the church. Paul's focus is on the church, not the self.
v5 prophecy is greater than tongues because the church benefits.
v12 seek to abound in spiritual gifts for the edification of the church
v17 giving thanks should edify. If the hearer doesn't know what you're saying, he is not edified.
v19 edification of the church is far more important in Paul's mind that tongues.
v24,25 prophecy calls people to account, convicts people, convinces. The secrets of the heart are disclosed, and not necessarily because the prophet tells everyone what the person is thinking at that moment. Rather, the word of God clearly declares the nature of the human heart regarding its sickness, and its deceitfulness. Prophecy expresses the truth in speech and action.
v26 all things are to be done for edification.
v31-32 prophesy for learning and exhortation, in a self-controlled and orderly fashion.
(c) Bruce M. Axtens, 2011.
