But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.
Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.
I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
Speaking in tongues in the early years of walking as a believer was a hot and divisive topic in the circle I encountered. I had known of churches that split on the issues of tongues and other charismatic expressions.
My introduction to the church in our early teens was formed in a very charismatic form and end-time eschatological group. They were a truly lovely group of people. Typically, our service would start with robust singing, intermingled with spontaneous outbursts of praise. There would be “singing in the spirit,” which means people singing with the “gift of tongues.” Occasionally, the church would grow silent, and a person would command the attention of everyone in attendance by speaking out loudly in tongues. when the person was done, there would be a time of silence as we waited for the “interpretation.” Shortly thereafter, another person would begin interpreting the “word in the tongue.”
The debate over the nature of the gift of tongues centers around two main interpretations. Some believe it refers to the ability to speak in actual human languages unknown to the speaker, citing examples from Acts 2, where the apostles spoke in different languages understood by people from different regions. Advocates of this view argue that the primary purpose of the gift is to facilitate evangelism and enable the spread of the gospel across language barriers.
Others interpret tongues as a personal, spiritual language spoken in prayer or worship, often unintelligible to others, including the speaker. They see it as intimate communication with God, expressing what words cannot.
Tongues as Known Human Languages
This interpretation views tongues as the miraculous ability to speak in understandable human languages, often linked to evangelism and communication across language barriers. Key passages supporting this view include:
Acts 2:1-12 "When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, 'Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? ... we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.'"
Acts 10:44-46 "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God."
Acts 19:6 "And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied."
1 Corinthians 14:21-22 "In the law it is written: 'With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,' says the Lord. Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. “
The contention arises because some Christians argue that the New Testament only supports tongues as known languages, viewing modern glossolalia (prayer language) as either unnecessary or even unbiblical. Conversely, others believe both interpretations are valid, seeing the prayer language as a private gift for personal edification and worship, while known languages serve public and evangelistic purposes. The debate continues due to differing interpretations of key scriptural passages and the role of tongues in the modern church.
Tongues as a Private, Spiritual Language
This interpretation views tongues as a private, spiritual language for prayer and personal edification. Key passages supporting this view include:
1 Corinthians 14:2 "For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries."
1 Corinthians 14:4 "He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church."
1 Corinthians 14:14-15 "For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding."
Romans 8:26 "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
However, in our opinion, a close examination of key biblical passages, particularly Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 14, supports the view that the gift of tongues is primarily a spiritual language. Also, a careful reading of Acts 2 suggests that the miracle on the Day of Pentecost was not in speaking known languages but in hearing and understanding the message by a diverse audience.
The Day of Pentecost is often cited as evidence that the gift of tongues refers to known human languages. Acts 2 describes how the apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. The text emphasizes that a crowd from various regions, each speaking different languages, heard the apostles in their native tongues.
Acts 2:6-8 states, “When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: ‘Aren’t all those speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?’” This passage highlights the amazement of the listeners, who were surprised that Galileans spoke languages they could understand.
Notice that the text does not explicitly state that the apostles speak these various languages. Instead, the emphasis is on what the crowd heard, not what the apostles spoke. The possibility arises that the miracle of Pentecost was in the hearing rather than the speaking. This interpretation suggests that the Holy Spirit enabled each listener to understand the message in their language, regardless of spoken language. The focus on hearing aligns with the broader theme of divine intervention and the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit.
The Fulfillment of Joel’s Prophecy
Peter’s explanation of the events in Acts 2 further supports the idea that the gift of tongues is a spiritual language. In Acts 2:16-18, Peter connects the outpouring of the Spirit with the prophecy of Joel:
“‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.’”
Joel’s prophecy speaks broadly of spiritual manifestations, including prophecy, visions, and dreams. It does not specifically mention known languages, suggesting that the gift of tongues could be part of a broader spiritual outpouring. It emphasizes divine communication rather than linguistic ability.
The Nature of Tongues in 1 Corinthians 14
The Apostle Paul’s teachings in 1 Corinthians 14 provide significant insight into the nature of tongues. Paul describes tongues as a form of communication directed toward God rather than people. In 1 Corinthians 14:2, he writes,
“For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.”
This passage suggests that tongues are a spiritual language intended for divine communication and expressing mysteries of the Spirit. Paul’s statement implies that the primary purpose of tongues is not to convey messages to others but to engage in spiritual communion with God.
Furthermore, Paul contrasts praying in tongues with praying with understanding in 1 Corinthians 14:14-15:
“For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.”
This contrast indicates that tongues are a form of spiritual prayer distinct from rational, understandable speech. Paul acknowledges their value, but his distinction supports the idea that tongues are primarily for personal edification and spiritual expression.
The Miracle of Hearing
Considering the emphasis on hearing in Acts 2, it is plausible that the Holy Spirit’s miraculous work enabled the diverse audience to understand the message, regardless of spoken language. Acts 2:12 notes the crowd’s amazement at hearing the apostles in their languages, further suggesting that the divine intervention occurred in the reception of the message. This perspective aligns with the understanding of tongues as a spiritual language, where the miracle lies in the listeners’ ability to comprehend the divine message, transcending natural linguistic barriers.
The biblical evidence supports the view that the gift of tongues is primarily a spiritual language intended for divine communication and personal edification. The account of Pentecost in Acts 2 does not necessarily indicate that the apostles spoke in known human languages; instead, the miracle may have been in how the diverse crowd heard and understood the message. This interpretation is consistent with Paul’s teachings in 1 Corinthians 14, where tongues are described as speaking mysteries to God, further reinforcing the idea that tongues are fundamentally a spiritual language. The emphasis on hearing in Acts 2 and the broader context of spiritual gifts suggest that the gift of tongues is a unique manifestation of the Holy Spirit, designed to foster deep, spiritual communion with God.
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