Speaking in Tongues
Dear Phil,
Is there anything in the Bible that makes it clear if “tongues” are “ok”?
Randy
Is there anything in the Bible that makes it clear if “tongues” are “ok”?
Randy
Dear Randy,
Great question! The sound–bite answer is, “Yes, there is a gift of ‘kinds of tongues.’ Provided it is used for edification and according to the NT guidelines, God commands us not to forbid to speak in tongues (1 Cor 14:39).” Beyond sound bites, let me list essential NT teaching:
1. Only two New Testament books actually mention the gift of kinds of tongues: Acts and 1 Corinthians (Acts 2:1–13; 10:44–48; 19:1–7; 1 Cor 12–14).
2. All the NT evidence points toward the gift of “kinds of tongues” being languages, not babble sounds. Specifically, the word “tongues” refers to languages that can be interpreted into other languages.
3. The KJV added “unknown” before tongues in 1 Corinthians 14 to indicate that the language needs to be interpreted, not that they are languages no one has ever heard before (1 Cor 14:2, 4, 13, 14, 19, 27). The word “unknown” isn’t part of the original Greek text.
4. If this gift is exercised without love, it is empty and ineffectual (1 Cor 13:1). As such, possessing a gift is not a basis for spiritual pride (1 Cor 4:7), but rather an opportunity to serve others through love (Gal 5:13).
5. The Holy Spirit does not give the gift of “kinds of tongues” to every believer (1 Cor 12:30; 14:5). It is not, therefore, a necessary sign of salvation or of being filled with the Spirit.
6. The primary purpose of the gift of “kinds of tongues” is to edify other believers (1 Cor 12:4–7; 14:12, 26–28).
7. Those who have the gift cannot edify others with it unless they also have the gift of interpretation (1 Cor 14:2; 13–14).
8. Speaking in tongues is not an uncontrollable phenomena. A believer with this gift has the ability to control its expression in public gatherings (1 Cor 14:26–28, 40).
9. The Holy Spirit gives strict guidelines for using the gift of tongues in a group setting:
10. Using the gift of “kinds of tongues” in the church without interpretation can damage the church’s witness with unbelievers and give it the reputation of madness (1 Cor 14:23).
11. The gift of prophecy is greater than speaking in a tongue because it requires no interpretation for the church to be edified by its use (1 Cor 14:1–5, 16–19, 24–26).
12. The gift of tongues serves as a sign to unbelievers, not to believers (1 Cor 14:21–22).
13. When the gift of interpretation is not present, the individual who has this gift may edify himself by speaking to himself and to God internally (1 Cor 14:4, 28).
14. There will be a time when knowledge, prophecy, and tongues cease (1 Cor 13:8). However, this text can’t be used to prove that the gifts of tongues and prophecy are no longer operative: (1) Paul doesn’t tell us when these things will cease, (2) knowledge hasn’t ceased, and (3) this passage is followed by Paul’s direction not to forbid speaking in tongues.
For a more extended treatment, let me recommend Nathan Brown’s lesson on this topic. He does a good job of handling this for new believers.
Blessings,
Phil
PS: No, I don’t have this gift.
Great question! The sound–bite answer is, “Yes, there is a gift of ‘kinds of tongues.’ Provided it is used for edification and according to the NT guidelines, God commands us not to forbid to speak in tongues (1 Cor 14:39).” Beyond sound bites, let me list essential NT teaching:
1. Only two New Testament books actually mention the gift of kinds of tongues: Acts and 1 Corinthians (Acts 2:1–13; 10:44–48; 19:1–7; 1 Cor 12–14).
2. All the NT evidence points toward the gift of “kinds of tongues” being languages, not babble sounds. Specifically, the word “tongues” refers to languages that can be interpreted into other languages.
3. The KJV added “unknown” before tongues in 1 Corinthians 14 to indicate that the language needs to be interpreted, not that they are languages no one has ever heard before (1 Cor 14:2, 4, 13, 14, 19, 27). The word “unknown” isn’t part of the original Greek text.
4. If this gift is exercised without love, it is empty and ineffectual (1 Cor 13:1). As such, possessing a gift is not a basis for spiritual pride (1 Cor 4:7), but rather an opportunity to serve others through love (Gal 5:13).
5. The Holy Spirit does not give the gift of “kinds of tongues” to every believer (1 Cor 12:30; 14:5). It is not, therefore, a necessary sign of salvation or of being filled with the Spirit.
6. The primary purpose of the gift of “kinds of tongues” is to edify other believers (1 Cor 12:4–7; 14:12, 26–28).
7. Those who have the gift cannot edify others with it unless they also have the gift of interpretation (1 Cor 14:2; 13–14).
8. Speaking in tongues is not an uncontrollable phenomena. A believer with this gift has the ability to control its expression in public gatherings (1 Cor 14:26–28, 40).
9. The Holy Spirit gives strict guidelines for using the gift of tongues in a group setting:
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10. Using the gift of “kinds of tongues” in the church without interpretation can damage the church’s witness with unbelievers and give it the reputation of madness (1 Cor 14:23).
11. The gift of prophecy is greater than speaking in a tongue because it requires no interpretation for the church to be edified by its use (1 Cor 14:1–5, 16–19, 24–26).
12. The gift of tongues serves as a sign to unbelievers, not to believers (1 Cor 14:21–22).
13. When the gift of interpretation is not present, the individual who has this gift may edify himself by speaking to himself and to God internally (1 Cor 14:4, 28).
14. There will be a time when knowledge, prophecy, and tongues cease (1 Cor 13:8). However, this text can’t be used to prove that the gifts of tongues and prophecy are no longer operative: (1) Paul doesn’t tell us when these things will cease, (2) knowledge hasn’t ceased, and (3) this passage is followed by Paul’s direction not to forbid speaking in tongues.
For a more extended treatment, let me recommend Nathan Brown’s lesson on this topic. He does a good job of handling this for new believers.
Blessings,
Phil
PS: No, I don’t have this gift.