Tongues----Interpretation of Tongues

 In this article we come to the last two grace-gifts that are listed in the 12^th chapter of 1^st Corinthians. It may be last in this list, but now, just as then, it seems to be a subject of much discussion and controversy. With some now, as then, this is their main focus. In some services that purport to be Christian, a hysterical jargon is engaged in by some in the name of “speaking in tongues.” They would have you believe that what they are doing is the same thing that was going on within the Corinthian church. In some respects this is true, for, the church at Corinth was out of order in what they were doing and those today who are engaging in what usually occurs under this heading are out of order also.

What then is the gift of “tongues” that is spoken of here in this chapter and at other places within the scriptures? Did every Christian in the New Testament church have this gift? Can a person be a Christian and not “speak in tongues?”  Was anyone in the New Testament church ever rehearsed on how to “speak in tongues” as is done today?             There are those today who teach that unless “you speak in tongues” you are not a Christian. I believe we will find as we go through this study that teaching to be false.

 What The Gift Was and the Purpose of the Gift

If you today decided to go to some foreign land, such as Iraq, China, or perhaps Tibet, in order to teach the people there about the good news of Jesus, you would find when you arrived that you would be speaking in an “unknown tongue” to those people. They would not have a clue what you were saying, unless you could employ an interpreter. That is assuming of course that you had not studied these languages, and spoke only English, which when correctly spoken would be an unknown tongue to many of us!! The question of “unknown tongues” then first of all must consider; unknown to whom, the speaker, or the hearer? Is it “unknown” because he doesn’t know what he is saying, or is it “unknown” in the sense that it is something he has never studied?

The promise of this gift is first found in the 16^th chapter of the book of Mark where it is among several things that Jesus told his apostles that they would be able to do when they went forth proclaiming the good news of salvation. I believe a careful study of the verses contained there beginning with verse 14 and continuing through verse 20 will show that it is these apostles that he is speaking to, and also about, as he enumerates the things they are to do. It is also interesting to note that these (who ever they were) would possess each and every one of these gifts to do certain things. They would be able to “cast out demons—speak in new tongues—pick up serpents—drink deadly liquids—and heal the sick.” The southeastern section of our country is perhaps the only place in this country where you will find folks trying to do all these things as listed here. You will find many however who profess to be able to do maybe one or two of these things. Why not all, as these were promised, if these present day individuals are included in the group to whom these things were promised?

On another occasion, we find Jesus sending all of these same men forth on a more limited type mission, on which there would also be the gift of being able to “raise the dead.” Matt.10. On this occasion Jesus also tells them not to make any financial arrangements for the trip they are about to make. I have noticed that not too many of those who lay claim to what these men possessed want to believe that this part is still in force for them!!!!!  The gift of “raising the dead” was also possessed by these same ones Jesus is speaking to in Mk. 16 and was practiced by them upon certain occasions. (See-Acts 9:36-42-----Acts 20:7-12)

As I have stated in my articles on “Miracles” these things known as “signs” had a very distinctive and definite purpose and one purpose only. That purpose is stated in verse 20 as being “to confirm the message” that they were preaching.

It will be noticed by the observant that these men were told to “Go into all the world” with the gospel message. I personally do not know one person who claims the “gift of tongues” who would be able to keep that part of this commission, but, everyone of these could and those to whom they spoke the message could hear them speaking in their own language, even though they were all ignorant and uneducated Galileans!! Acts 2:6-7

The gift of “tongues “ then was nothing more nor less than the ability given by the Holy Spirit of God, to the apostles of Christ that enabled them to preach the gospel in languages they did not know!! This was the enabling act that allowed this commission to be fulfilled in a space of just some thirty years.

The commission found in Mk.16 was given in about the year 33 A.D.

Paul wrote his letter to the Colossians in about the year 62-63 A.D. and in it we hear him say, speaking of the gospel; “ which has been preached to every creature under heaven” Col.1:23  In an earlier verse he says that the gospel “has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing.” 1:6

 As further evidence of exactly what this gift was and its’ purpose, one but has to study Acts Chapter 2.

It is claimed by a great number of good and honest folks that they are “having a Pentecostal experience” just like those who were in the upper room. In this statement there are two huge assumptions made for which there is no Biblical evidence at all, and that is, first of all, that the Holy Spirit came while they were in the upper room, and secondly that all that were in the upper room were recipients of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. In saying that the 120 brethren all were “baptized with the Holy Spirit and were all “speaking in tongues” is in fact in direct opposition to the teaching of scripture. There is something wrong with the picture as it is presented by these folks. A study of Acts 1 and Acts 2 will show that the “outpouring of the Holy Spirit” did not take place within the upper room, but took place when the apostles were before the thousands of people that had assembled at the Temple in Jerusalem on that first Pentecost Day after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. They had already left the upper room. This is evident if from nothing else, the size of the crowd that is before them.

The apostle Paul later asks a simple and direct question in addressing the Christians at Corinth, and that question was this; “Do all speak with tongues?” 1 Cor.12:30—I believe that a careful reading of the context will show that the question is being asked in order to show that the answer to the question is a most definite NO!! As I have maintained and as the Bible teaches it was a gift that only came to some. I believe that you will be able to see that the some is limited to the apostles of Christ and those who received the gift through the laying on of the hands of these apostles. It was just the same as any of the other gifts, such as found in Acts 8:14-18

"Tongues" in 1st Corinthians 14

Now let us look at the 14^th chapter of 1^st Corinthians where there are many more things that are said about this grace-gift.

First; we will find that “speaking in tongues” was not the gift that was most useful or the most desirable, even for the early church when it came together. 14:1 also 14:5

Second; we find that those in this church, who were “speaking in tongues” were contributing nothing at all to the edification, or building up of the body of Christ. These were only building themselves up, or in other words, showing out. 14:4

Third; nothing, including the gift of “tongues” was of any benefit to the meeting of the saints unless it imparted some “revelation, knowledge, prophecy or teaching” and therefore was to be excluded from the meeting of the saints. 14:6-9

Fourth; others in the meeting can not state their agreement with an “amen” or their disagreement since they are clueless as to what is being said, if anything, when someone is “speaking in tongues.” 14:16-17

Fifth; five words spoken in language that is understood is better than ten thousand words spoken in something that is not understood. 14:19

Sixth; in the early church, “speaking in tongues” was not to prove or show anything to the believers, (other Christians) but were given to show unbelievers the power of God, when those whom they knew did not know their language were enabled to tell them the things of God in that language, and to “convict” them of sin to such a degree that they would begin to worship God. To be engaged in unintelligible babble would only bring ridicule and reproach upon the church of God. 14:21-25

Seventh; when there were those present who did indeed possess this gift they were not all free to engage in speaking, speaking was limited to no more than three in the meeting, and they could not speak at all unless there was someone present who possessed the “gift of interpretation.” 14:26-28

Eighth; anything that did not coincide with this arrangement was considered to be out of order, and is called “confusion.” We are further told that we can be sure that when confusion such as this takes place it is not God who is its author. 14:33

Now to conclude we might look at a question. The question is this; “If unbelievers could understand and be convicted of sin by what is said in a “tongue” then why would it ever be necessary to have an interpreter?

If you think about this question I believe the answer becomes obvious when we remember that the members in the assembly in Corinth most likely spoke the Greek language, therefore when some one possessed the gift of speaking say in Parthian, Cappadocian, Egyptian, or some other language, the members of this assembly would not and could not understand what was being said if those languages were used, and therefore would require an interpreter in order to understand. On the other hand, if, one of those that spoke these languages happened to come into that assembly, he would immediately understand the thrust of the message without benefit of an interpreter. The case indeed might arise where there would be some there who could understand while others would need someone to interpret what was being said.

When we think about the geographical location of Corinth and the kind of bustling seaport it was with travelers from all over the worlds passing through it should help us to understand. It might also help if we could rid our minds of the modern day image of Christendom whose concept of evangelism many times is to put out a sign inviting people to “come to church.” This the early church never did. It is obvious from this 14^th chapter that someone other than the brothers and sisters coming to that assembly was accidental and not planned. This is not to say of course that there is any wrong in outsiders being present in the meetings, in fact, we welcome them, there was no effort made however in the early church to “get them to come to church.” The early church went to the sinners.

I hope and pray that this study of spiritual gifts will help you in your understanding of the word of God and will help you to recognize the counterfeit when it is put forth as the real thing. May God’s richest blessings be yours as you seek to serve Him. In Love --Gerald
thornsandnails@avsia.com