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Tongues in the Bible: 1 Corinthians 14:2-19
The practice of speaking in tongues has a long but somewhat controversial history in the Christian faith. This passage explains how speaking in tongues fits in with the other gifts of the Holy Spirit, and how this particular gift ought to be practiced and understood.
http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor.14.2-1Cor.14.19&version=NIV
Topics:
Gifts, Tongues, Speaking In Tongues
All Topics
Does this mean that you should not speak in tongue? Is there a certain time and condition when one should speak in tongues?
if the bible records that He that speaketh in an unknown tongueedifieth himself. so i cannot while laying hands on someone for healing then start to pray in an unknown language?
if im praying in an unknown language am i speaking in tongue?
an unknown language is translated threw god, so when another person hears it they can not understand the language only god.
What does the Bible say about Tongues?
This gift is a matter of hot dispute among many theologians in the Charismatic and Reformed camps. So, all I can do is show you what the Word has to say, not what people think it should say! A Biblical definition of tongues is, speaking in a language that you do not know, that you have not learned, so that another person can hear the gospel or message from God through you in their language. Tongues can also be in the form of a prophecy, where another person will interpret through God’s empowerment what the speaker of the proclamation said, and the message will never ever contradict Scripture! Scripture also tells us that only one to three people will speak in tongues, never more than that. If it is any different, it is not from God, so beware! There is no indication from Scripture that this gift has ended, even though many fundamental and dispensational groups believe that.
The New Testament does not convey any instances of tongues being used to evangelize, although this is one of its roles. There is also no indication that the 3,000 converts at Pentecost received the gift of tongues. Biblical tongues will never be said without an interpretation, nor will they ever glorify the speaker! Not all people will speak in tongues. It is the least of the gifts. Paul lists tongues twice with the other Spiritual Gifts, and places tongues and their interpretation at the very bottom of the scale of need and importance, which makes you wonder why people are so zealous about it (1 Cor. 12:8-10, 28-30)!
Paul rebuked the Corinthians’ teaching, which is the same as the modern Pentecostal view, as an improper interpretation due to their over-zealous desire to peruse tongues and not the Word. As both groups looked to tongues and experiences over and even against what the Scriptures have to say. In so doing they carefully studied tongues and not the Word. Most Charismatic and Pentecostal commentators teach that the Corinthian tongues were not the same as the tongues at Pentecost. They believe that the Corinthians tongues were overjoyed outbursts of prayer and praise that were out of control. Paul attacks the misuse of tongues when they become unorganized and incoherent. Ironically, these utterances often become strange and incoherent emotional hysteria in the very churches who say this. The irony continues with the speaker’s or leader’s own grandstanding manipulations.
The word tongues, in the Greek language–a very clear, real, and stable language–is not ecstatic speech (a dead language, understood by no one except God, and that comes with extra emotionalism and hysteria to make it more real) as many teach today. The argument can be made for speaking in tongues to God, so that only He understands, but Paul warns us not to lean or dwell on this (1 Cor. 14:26-33). Also, Paul cites its use in Romans (Rom. 8:26), as more of the Spirit strengthening us, not necessarily giving us the words to give to God. Yes, in 1 Corinthians 14:2, Paul explains it as a communication to God, but also notice his emphasis on its orderly use! Order is the key, and the emphasis to glorify God is essential for worship. To have the view that tongues are essential for the Christian is to perform made-up-in-the-mind exegesis.
Too many Bible commentators like to pull from Scripture what is not there. God’s Word is crystal clear in these passages. Also, the word, mysterious, refers to the speaker of the tongues not knowing the language, not that the language itself is mysterious! Paul also uses the word, mysterious, to proclaim divine truth not yet disclosed to us, which is in the context of prophecy in First Corinthians. Some argue that Paul refers to an intimate prayer between the Spirit and God. If that were so, then you would not utter it, since you are not the Spirit, or God! However, the Greek is clear that it refers to human languages that are known, not dead, or mysterious. And, of course, God is the principle audience, especially in worship!
When tongues become incomprehensible to the speaker or the audience, then it is the result of misplaced and uncontrolled emotionalism only, and not of God (1 Cor. 14:4-14). Remember, God is a God of order and unity (1 Cor. 14:26-33)! Thus, the gift of tongues should not be sought. However, if it comes, welcome it, seek its interpretation, and search the Scriptures (Isa. 28:11; Joel 2:28-30; Acts 2:3-36; 4:31; 8:17; 9:17-18; 10:46; 19:6; 1 Cor. 12:10; 12:28-30; 13:1; 8; 14:5 –6; 14:1-39; 14:39; Rev. 16:10)!
Rkrejcir says: “Some argue that Paul refers to an intimate prayer between the Spirit and God. If that were so, then you would not utter it, since you are not the Spirit, or God!”
I disagree. The Spirit lives IN us and communes directly with God the Father and Christ the Son. We use tongues as a personal prayer — this is not to be confused with the GIFT of tongues used publicly (which must be interpreted to edify the body of Christ).
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.” (Romans 8:26-27)
If you’ve never spoken in tongues, then you cannot explain it to others. It’s one of God’s miracles that comes upon us during deep worship with God. If it happens in church and it’s real, someone will be given the gift of interpretation. I’ve experienced both and would love for God to pour out His spirit in this way on everyone.
As I type this, I am going through a struggle of my old church nature and also getting back in to a church with my wife and baby. I went to a small “five fold ministry” church and got in to my “faith” phase of Benny Hinn, Duplantus, Kennoth Copeland, etc. I had bad church experiences with the word and the practice of the word. Now after pretty much giving up on church and mans beliefs and interpretations I have come to my own conclusion. I simply want God and want to do what is right to the best of my knowledge and ability. I no longer care about “is tongues for today” “is there or is there not a rapture and how/if it will happen”, etc. I am over those “grey” areas of the Bible. I did all of that stuff back in the 90’s praying for healing and claiming rewards on my offerings, etc…and you know what, I am still legally blind (and yes I was born that way) and I am also still living on disability and am not “banking it”.
I simply want to do what is right for myself and my family and I am not sure what that means but I am done with “faith based” “five fold ministry” teachings because for me I found it does not work. I am more interested in “real life” “practical” teaching which I can use day to day to help myself, my family, and others….and leave all that spiritaul arguing behind.
lovenhim;
I am truely sorry for your experience in church. I have been in and out of church for the last 33 years and have visited stayed and even become a member of 1 or 2. One thing is for sure i have never found the perfect one. I have listened to and have been led by and studied under and with many pastors and have never found the one that is without sin and or mistake. I have learned like you through all of this that God is a relational God and He longs for a personal relationship with each one of us a one on one friendship He has a deep desire to communicate ,love, protect ,guide and direct each one of us. I also have come to a place where I follow Him and not man or organized religion. God will never leave or forsake us, however men will and have. God has got to be real to you in order to experience who He is in His fullness. For some reason some of us have to live with our crosses showing and others are able to hide them whatever it maybe physical, spiritual or emotional whether caused by years of abuse, rejection or something that has been with us from birth each one of us has a cross to bear.In our weakness He is strong and His grace is sufficient for us. ” for the things I want to do I do not do and the things I do not want to do I do” (his cross). Faith is a requirement to a real relationship with the Master it is only by our Faith that we can have the Hope to believe that one day we will be free from whatever it is that burdens us in this life and spend eternity with Him in heaven. Gods timing is perfect keep the Faith God will show Himself strong in your life.
Interesting discussion… as a former Baptist, turned charismatic, reverting back to reformed theologist, I have been there and done that and would say that I had the experience of speaking in tongues. My initial experience I believe was very genuine but frankly after that I believe that what I had a a “prayer language” was not real and now that I researched the scriptures and what they say and have read many different interpretations including the ones here, I am more convinced that what we call tongues today is no more than “gibberish”. I believe every example of the “tongues” in the scriptures was a “forgien language” that was known by the people around them and even in the verses that don’t mention the language, it is mentioned by the Apostles that it was the same as it was for them.
So while I believe there can still be a “gift of tongues” that can be used today that is genuine I am more and more convinced that what is exhibited today in the penetcostal/charismatic churches is nothing more than a manifestation of the flesh. I also believe that the comment by Paul about speaking n tongues was to edify self is, in actuallity, not to be taken as necessarily a good thing in the context of 1 Corinthian 14.
IWTT I have had a similar experience. And I agree with your post 100%.
A reference has been made to Romans 8:26″In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings.”
A careful read of that verse shows that it is not a reference to speaking in tongues. In tells how the Spirit, not us, speaks with “unspoken groanings.” I was taught that this verse is scriptural evidence for praying in a language only God and angels understand, and that it shows how the Spirit prays through us. But that is not a correct translation, this verse show how the Spirit prays (intercedes) for us (not through us) even if we do not know what we need.
Where does this practice originate? Does Jesus say anything about it? In other of Paul’s doctrinal teachings he claims he received the knowledge from Jesus or that the spirit of God revealed it to him. However, he makes no such claim regarding speaking in tongues. Why not?
When I needed an answer I came here looking for the meaning of uncloven.
I want to rescue some buddist members. They chant.
I went to where there was music,I wrote a younger family member, I
fellowshiped and prayed with a believer. Then on the way home I wanted
fellowship and to seek the God of my salvation. I ended up praying the
way you converse about. When I awoke this morning I had my more meaning
and development toward the direction where God is leading.