Gift of Tongues Explained.
By David Guzik, Enduring Word
Tongues, Prophecy and Public Worship
A. The contrast between tongues and prophecy.
1. (1) The guiding principles.
Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
a.
Pursue love: Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, brilliantly declared the preeminence of love for Christians in
1 Corinthians 13. Now, since love is the greatest, we must
pursue it.
b.
Desire spiritual gifts: There was nothing wrong with the Corinthian Christians’
desire for spiritual gifts. But they made a godly
desire into an obsessive pursuit, when the main
pursuit for Christians should be
love.
c.
Especially that you may prophesy: In
1 Corinthians 12, Paul spoke of prophecy and the gift of tongues only in the context of the other gifts of the Spirit. Now, he will focus on the gifts of prophecy and tongues, and how they should function in church body life. Obviously, in the Corinthian church, there was an over-emphasis on tongues and an under-emphasis on prophecy.
d.
That you may prophesy: What does it mean for someone to
prophesy? Many who believe miraculous gifts are no longer given by God regard prophecy as simply “inspired preaching,” and not “inspired” in a direct way.
i. Paul will tell us much more about prophecy in this chapter. Yet, we know he does not mean prophecy is
identical to preaching, because there was an ancient Greek word available for “preaching” (
kerusso), and Paul did not use this ancient Greek word.
ii. “Preaching is essentially a merging of the gifts of teaching and exhortation, prophecy has the primary elements of prediction and revelation.” (Farnell, cited in Kistemaker)
2. (2-3) Prophecy and tongues contrast in
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. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
a.
He who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God: With the gift of tongues, the speaker addresses
God, not
men. Disregard of this principle leads to one of the most significant misunderstandings regarding the gift of tongues – believing tongues is a supernatural communication “man to man” instead of “man to God.”
i. If we misunderstand this, we misunderstand
Acts 2 and think the disciples preached to the crowd in tongues on the day of Pentecost. Instead, they spoke to God and the multi-national crowd overheard their praise to God.
Acts 2:11 says,
we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God. Later,
Acts 10:46 describes the hearing of the gift of tongues:
they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
ii. If we misunderstand this, we misunderstand what really happens when someone attempts to interpret a tongue and addresses his or her message to men. A true interpretation of the gift of tongues will be addressed to God, not men. It will be a prayer, praise, or some other communication to God.
iii. If we misunderstand this, we can be led to believe the gift of tongues is just the ability to speak another language, and all Paul means here is interpreting the preacher’s sermon in someone’s native tongue. But no one needs to interpret the preacher’s sermon for God’s sake.
iv. If we misunderstand this, we can misuse the gift of tongues, using it in a way that draws unnecessary attention to ourselves. God does not give anyone the gift of tongues for the direct sake of others (though indirectly others are edified), but for that believer and God alone.
b.
He who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God: Because this simple statement is so devastating to the idea that tongues is just a human language spoken for human benefit, many of those who believe the miraculous gifts have passed have trouble with this verse. Some even try to claim Paul speaks
sarcastically here and that he
criticizes the Corinthian Christians for using the gift of tongues to speak to God instead of men.
i. Paul uses plenty of sarcasm in the Corinthian letters, but certainly not here. If we can say Paul means the exact
opposite of the plain meaning of the words here, we are on dangerous ground. Why not apply the same interpretive principle (“he really means the opposite of what he seems to be saying”) to other passages of Scripture?
c.
For no one understands him: Paul recognized that normally, when someone spoke in tongues, no one else could understand him. The reason is simple: with the gift of tongues, the
intention is to speak to
God and not
man. Therefore, it is fine if
no one understands him, because God understands him.
i. The exception to
no one understands him is when the tongue is publicly interpreted. Even then, it is not the tongue itself that is understood, but the interpretation of the tongue.
d.
In the spirit he speaks mysteries: When the tongues’ speaker cannot be understood, it does not mean it isn’t really language, or that they are merely speaking “gibberish”; It means they speak
in the spirit and that they speak
mysteries.
i. Many have done linguistic analysis of people speaking in tongues and have “concluded” they are not speaking a “real” language, but just jabbering in “gibberish.” Of course, it sounds like nonsense to human ears, because it was never intended for human ears. We should expect it to sound like nonsense, because Paul plainly says,
in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
ii. However, this does not mean that all intelligible speech is the legitimate gift of tongues. Some, not understanding the gift, may imitate it, or fake it, just to “prove” something.
iii. Does
in the spirit refer to the
speaker’s spirit or to the
Holy Spirit? It could be either one, because both are true. The translators of the New King James Version believe it to be the
speaker’s spirit, because they used a lower-case “s” in
spirit.
e.
But he who prophesies speaks… to men: In contrast to the gift of tongues, the gift of prophecy is directed
to men. It is God speaking supernaturally (often “naturally supernaturally”) through people to people.
f.
But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men: Not only is the gift of prophecy directed towards men, it is also largely
positive in its character. Often, when a “negative” word is spoken, it is not truly a word from God at all, or it is a word meant only for the individual, not for someone else.
i.
Edification is “building up.” It is a construction term, and speaks of our being “built up” in the Lord. A word of prophecy will
build someone up, not tear him or her down.
ii.
Exhortation is encouragement. It is like the speech from the coach in the locker room before the big game, rallying the team to go out and perform as they were trained to perform. A word of prophecy will
encourage someone, not discourage him or her.
iii.
Comfort has the idea of not only consoling, but also
strengthening. It doesn’t just cry with someone hurting, it puts its arms around them and strengthens them to carry the load. A word of prophecy will
strengthen, not weaken someone.
3. (4-5) Prophecy and tongues contrast in
He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
a.
He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself: Some have wrongly thought Paul says this as a criticism. Their idea is that Paul meant something like this: “You selfish Corinthian Christians! You use tongues to only edify yourself, when you should use it to edify others!” This is wrong. Paul is simply stating the nature of the gift of tongues. Since
he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God (
1 Corinthians 14:2), it follows that it is a gift primarily for
self-edification, not
church edification.
b.
He who prophesies edifies the church: Because prophecy can be understood by all, a true word of prophecy builds up everyone.
c.
I wish you all spoke with tongues: Paul was
positive about the gift of tongues! Because of the tone of this chapter, it is easy to think he was “down” on the gift of tongues. Not at all; Paul valued the gift of tongues in his own life. In
1 Corinthians 14:18, Paul wrote
I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all. This passage shows that Paul also wanted other Christians to speak
with tongues.
i. Why did Paul
wish you all spoke with tongues? No doubt, because he knew the value of it in his own life. Paul was able, when
in the spirit he spoke
mysteries, to unburden his soul before God in a way beyond human language and intellect. He could pray, praise, and intercede beyond his ability to understand and articulate. Paul wanted every Christian to know this same blessing.
d.
But even more that you prophesied: As good as the gift of tongues is, Paul sees prophecy as better for the church as a whole. Why? Because
He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. And the focus here is
that the church may receive edification more than the individual.
i. Paul’s context in
1 Corinthians 14 is more focused on what the Corinthian Christians do when they come together as a church than on what they do in their own devotional life. There are things that are fine for a Christian to do in their own devotional life, which may be disruptive, annoying, or self-exalting for a Christian to do in a church meeting. The gift of tongues is one of those things. Since Paul focuses on when the Corinthian Christian comes together as a church, it is clear why he regards the gift of prophecy as
greater.
ii. However, if one were to ask Paul, “Which is
greater for one’s devotional life: the gift of tongues or the gift of prophesy?” He would no doubt say “the gift of tongues,” because who do you prophesy to when you are alone with the Lord in your prayer closet?
4. (6) In Paul’s ministry, he spoke so all could profit.
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?
a.
If I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you: Paul recognized the gift of tongues was valuable for himself, because in
1 Corinthians 14:18 he wrote
I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all. But it was not valuable for him to speak to others with the gift of tongues. They could not understand him, so they could not be edified.
b.
Unless I speak to you either by a revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? Here, Paul describes different ways he might communicate which would be edifying to others.
i.
Revelation: Paul may speak of his own awareness of unique inspiration as an apostle. There may have been times when Paul
knew with apostolic authority His words were directly and infallibly from God.
ii.
Knowledge: Paul may speak of his own knowledge, or by supernatural knowledge given by the Holy Spirit. Whichever, the
knowledge was communicated in the language common to all, so all could
profit.
iii.
Prophesying: Paul knew he could speak by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, with a sense his thoughts and words were guided and blessed by the Holy Spirit.
iv.
Teaching: Paul could also
profit others by speaking to them from the Scriptures themselves,
teaching them as was his pattern in the churches he founded (
Acts 15:35,
18:11,
28:31).
5. (7-9) Examples demonstrating the importance of speaking so all can profit.
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 himself 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.
a.
Unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? Musical instruments must use a certain pitch and beat to communicate a song. If they do not, the music is not accessible to the listener. Sounds come forth, but they cannot be understood. The same is true for a
trumpet that
makes an uncertain sound. It is of no profit for others.
i. It may feel good for a child to bang on a piano, and they may like the sound, but for anyone else, it is unpleasant. Even so, someone talking to God with the gift of tongues may be blessed, but no one else is. Therefore, if someone is going to make an
uncertain sound (speak in tongues unto God), let them do so unto themselves, and not among others.
b.
For you will be speaking into the air: Speaking in tongues at a meeting of the church benefits no one else; it is simply putting sounds into the air, not words and ideas into the minds and hearts of others.
i. It may satisfy curiosity to hear someone else speak in tongues, but it does not edify spiritually. We may think it is “neat” to hear others speak in tongues, but that is more of a soulish curiosity than a spiritual edification.
6. (10-11) All languages can be understood if one knows the meaning.
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.
a.
None of them is without significance: Language itself is a gift from God. We can communicate with language because we are made in the image of God.
b.
So many kinds of languages in the world: Modern linguists know man could not have invented language, any more than we could have invented our own circulatory system. Most modern linguists who reject God believe language is so unique that it “must” have been part of a unique evolutionary process. It’s far more logical to believe God created man with this unique capability, as part of creating man in His own image.
i. Language could not be the product of man putting together sounds all by himself. For example, there are many universal human sounds (like the “raspberry” sound) which are not part of any human language. If man invented language on his own, it would make sense for
some language to use that sound.
ii. Language is so complex because languages exist as whole systems, not as small parts put together. Most modern linguists believe all languages come from one original language.
c.
So many kinds of languages in the world: Knowing language is a gift from God, and all languages have meaning, we can trust that if we speak in the gift of tongues, God understands, even if no one else – including ourselves – can.
Also, Jesus reminded us:
For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! (
Luke 11:10-13) We don’t need to fear we will find Satan when we sincerely seek God.
vii. We can also remember another general principle relating to the gifts of the Holy Spirit:
And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets (
1 Corinthians 14:32). The Holy Spirit does not make us do strange, bizarre things. He will never make someone shout in tongues, or speak in tongues in a strange manner, though they may do it on their own initiative. But they should never credit or blame the Holy Spirit for what they have added.
8. (15-19) The result: when and when not to use the gift of tongues.
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.
a.
I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, I will also sing with the understanding: Paul will use the gift of tongues, both in prayer and in song, and he will use it often.
Yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding… than ten thousand words in a tongue. Therefore, Paul’s use of tongues was focused in his devotional life with the Lord.
i. Paul here makes reference to how we can
sing in the spirit. God can give us the freedom to exercise the gift of tongues in a melodic way, so it flows in with worship. However, based on the principles in this chapter, if this is done, it should never be done in a way that would draw attention to itself or distract others.
b.
Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks: If no one understands my blessing of the Lord, if no one understands my thanks to God, they can’t say
“Amen” with me. When I am gathered together with other believers, I can’t just do my own thing and say, “Well, it blesses me.” I must have a concern for others, also.
i. Apparently, it was the custom in the early church to say
“Amen” when someone else prayed, and perhaps during a message. “It was very frequent in primitive times to express their approbation in the public assemblies by
Amen. This practice, soberly and piously conducted, might still be of great use in the Church of Christ.” (Clarke)
ii. According to Clarke, some ancient Jews thought it very important to say
“Amen,
” to the point where “they even promised the remission of all sins, the annihilation of the sentence of damnation, and the opening of the gates of paradise, to those who fervently say
Amen.”
iii. There is certainly nothing wrong with an
“Amen” from the congregation today, as long as it is consistent with
everyone being blessed, not just the one saying it!
c.
You indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified: Paul is completely consistent in his emphasis on tongues being directed to God. Just in this passage, he points out what we do with the gift of tongues: we
pray, we
sing, we
bless, and we
give thanks. All of these we do unto the Lord, not unto man, with the gift of tongues.
d.
I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all: In this we see that Paul saw great value in the gift of tongues for his own devotional life before the Lord: Yet, when he gathered with other Christians, his concern was to be a blessing, not with getting a blessing.
David Guzik commentary on 1 Corinthians 14, in which Paul talks about the gift of tongues and prophecy, and public worship.
enduringword.com