What does 1 Corinthians 14:10 mean?

This passage continues to show how using the gift of tongues in a church service without interpretation is not helpful. Paul will soon forbid the practice.

He begins a thought here that concludes in the following verses. He acknowledges that there are many different languages in the world. As of this writing, the number of worldwide living languages today is estimated at somewhere around 7,000. Each of those languages is meaningful to the people who can understand them. Paul's point in the following verse will be that none of those languages are meaningful to those who do not understand them.

His larger point, of course, is that hearing someone speak in a foreign tongue, even when the speaker acts by the power of the Holy Spirit, is not a helpful experience on its own. Speaking in tongues, like any other spiritual gift, should not be practiced in an unhelpful or unbiblical way.