Paul speaks quite plainly concerning unity and fellowship within the body of Believers.  The problem was that the emphasis was on the physical food and fellowship rather than spiritual food and spiritual fellowship. They were greedy for the physical benefits. Paul tells them not to be so concerned with earthly, material things but to be concerned with spiritual matters.

“Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant.”
Don't you just love the way Paul words things???  Wonder why he didn't just say, "Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I want you to be informed." ?

We are supposed to know and understand our spiritual gifts. The body of Christ, the church is diverse. Because of our different spiritual gifts we view things differently and we interpret things differently. We are motivated to do things differently. We are born with certain talents and natural abilities but when we are born again, we are given certain spiritual gifts. Talents are natural. Gifts are supernatural. Evidence of a spirit-filled church (or fellowship of Believers) is one in which the members exercise their gifts for one another. God has chosen to minister to his people through us!

Interestingly, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 is used often during weddings, and rightly so, as it applies to the love between a man and a woman.  But since this passage is between Paul's writing about the use of spiritual gifts, try putting all the gifts through the filter of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

“…since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church…”

“Tongues, then, are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.”

It seems as if speaking in tongues falls into two categories:
1. known languages
2. spiritual language

There was a definite need for the apostles (and others) to be able to speak many different known languages such as they were able to do at Pentecost.  Also in traveling to different places where other languages are spoken it was necessary for God's people to speak the known language of the unbeliever so that the Believer may communicate with the unbeliever about salvation through Jesus.

There is also a time for spiritual language to be spoken.  This can be done while in private or in public if an interpreter is present.  Because speaking in tongues is so misunderstood, people tend to be fearful but Paul was clear in 1 Corinthians 14:40 when he said "...do not forbid speaking in tongues.  But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."

“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.”
Paul explains that those who have the gift of prophecy speak to believers for edifying the church – for strengthening, encouragement, and comfort. He says that those who have an understanding of the Old Testament prophecies will be able to make connections with those prophecies being fulfilled in Jesus.

Those who speak in tongues edify themselves unless there is an interpreter present. To excel in a gift is to find out more about it, then exercise that gift and use it properly.

Paul warns about allowing women to lead in church. We have to remember that girls were not formally taught in the synagogues as the boys were. They did not have a formal  education nor knowledge of scripture. They didn’t have the foundation to speak with understanding. Many women were speaking and confusing others. This is why Paul warned about allowing women to lead. Paul suggests that the women be taught by their husbands first. The same warning applies to new believers. Many new believers are simply not equipped yet to teach with authority with that firm foundation of the knowledge of spiritual matters. However, Jesus made it clear that there is definitely a place for women in leadership. Whew! Glad He did!