Deciphering
Biblical Gifts of Tongues
__________________________________
You and everyone else sensed it. Somehow this Feast
of Weeks was going to be very special. Those gathered in the upper room grew
fidgety in anticipation, not knowing what to expect.
You have
been told by none other than Yahshua the Messiah Himself just before He
ascended to the heavens that you and the other disciples were to wait for the
sending of the Holy Spirit and “power.” What did He mean, anyway?
Suddenly, a deafening sound like a hurricane fills the room. Your
immediate concern is that the roof may collapse. And then...what’s this? It
looks as if everyone’s hair is on fire! You hurry down to the street and many
come running over to ask what were those incredible sounds they heard. As you
begin to explain the unbelievable event you have just witnessed, another
astonishing things happens.
As you begin to relate the incident and other truths to the many foreigners gathering round, you suddenly realize that they understand perfectly every word you speak. Every one of them. And they don’t speak your language! They don’t even speak the same language to one another....
If you could have been one of those in Acts 2
keeping the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost, this experience would have been
permanently seared into your memory. You would have truly understood the power
of the Holy Spirit.
Many
today try to re-create these Pentecost phenomena in what they call baptism with
the Holy Spirit. They claim that unless you have had a “charismatic
experience,” that you do not show evidence of the Holy Spirit working in you.
By that they specifically mean you must “speak in tongues.”
The
tongues they talk of is an unintelligible outpouring of sounds that follows a
period of “calling down,” which means a gradual building up of emotions.
Is Sincerity Alone A Test of
Truth?
Witnesses to charismatic meetings claim they see sincere people who really do
believe they are empowered with the Holy Spirit. And for some, that’s all the
evidence they need.
But is
sincerity alone the test of truth? Millions of Moslems are sincere in their
faith, too, more sincere than many Christian are in theirs. In their devotion
Moslems take time out from whatever they are doing five times a day to pray
toward Mecca.
Many
millions of Hindus are sincere as well in their pagan worship – in their
self-denial and focus on higher consciousness. Would you say, based on sheer
sincerity, that Islam and Hinduism are true religions? Of course not. You and
millions of others believe otherwise because the Bible tells us differently.
Yahshua
warned in Matthew 15 that even though people profess a sincerity, they may be
totally deceived. “This people draws nigh unto me with their mouth, and
honors Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me. But in vain do they
worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men,” vv. 8-9.
It is
possible to worship Yahweh in utmost sincerity and do it all for nothing. We
can worship in vain!
A Unique Event in Acts 2
What does the Bible teach about “speaking in tongues” anyway? Is it a gift
everyone should possess as proof that they have the Holy Spirit?
We find
no command in Scripture to seek or perform miracles. We do, however, find that
we are to study and obey Yahweh’s Word, 2Timothy 2:15. Always keep in mind that
we must never base our worship of Yahweh on what man says. We want His Word –
the Bible itself – to teach us. When faced with what seems a contradiction or
problem, we must let the Bible itself resolve that, too.
So let’s
go back to the Pentecost observance in Acts to see what exactly took place when
the manifestation of the Holy Spirit occurred to the disciples of Yahshua. This
is the ONLY Biblical account giving details of the “tongues” phenomenon.
The
entire narrative begins in Acts 2:1:
“And
when the day of Pentecost was 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 all the house where they were sitting.
“And
there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it 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 at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under
heaven.
“Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language [Greek dialektos].
“And
they were all amazed and marvelled, saying on to another, ‘Behold, are not
these which speak Galileans?
“And
how hear we every man in our own tongue [dialektos], wherein we were born?
“‘Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia,
and in Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phyrgia, and Pamphylia, in
Egypt, and in the three parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome,
Jews, and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues
the wonderful works of Elohim.’
“And
they were all amazed, and were in doubt saying one to another, ‘What does this
mean?’
“Others mocking, said, ‘These men are
full of new wine.’”
Like Wind and Fire
How many today really understand what happened on that memorable Feast called
Pentecost and WHY it happened?
The key
to the entire event is found in what Yahshua told the disciples in the previous
chapter. This is when He said that the Holy Spirit was about to come:
“But
you shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you
shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria,
and unto the uttermost part of the earth,” Acts 1:8.
He said that when the Holy Spirit came
they would get power. We will learn later that the Holy Spirit constitutes the
power of Yahweh. Once endowed with that power they would be witnesses for Him
in nations around the world. In other words, they would be able to communicate
the truth about Yahshua and His teachings to other nationalities. These
nationalities would be speaking various languages.
A Unified Body
Let’s see how all of this was accomplished.
First,
notice in chapter 2 verse 1 that they were “ALL WITH ONE ACCORD” and in
one place when Pentecost was fully come. This was a High Day meeting, a
special, Biblically commanded observance and one of the seven annual Feasts of
Leviticus 23.
The gift they were about to receive was not given to unify people of diverse doctrines and beliefs, as “speaking in tongues” is used today. The Holy Spirit was given because they were ALREADY unified. No doctrinal divisions or differences existed among them. Those who received the Holy Spirit were brethren of the early, True Assembly, who worshiped Yahweh and kept the seventh-day Sabbath, Feast days, and other laws.
A person
receives the Holy Spirit at baptism only AFTER repentance and committing to a
life in Yahweh – to live in harmony with the ways of the Creator. “And we
are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Spirit, whom Yahweh
has given to them that obey Him,” Acts 5:32. The Spirit is imparted once a
repentant and changed heart is manifest. Yahweh does not grant the power of His
Holy Spirit to a rebellious, unconverted sinner. A submissive and pliable heart
desiring to change must come first.
There
was a prior purpose for their coming together that day – to fulfill the
Biblical command to keep this Feast of Pentecost or Feast of Firstfruits. This
was nine days AFTER Yahshua had ascended to the heavens. The “Old Testament”
Feasts were still in effect and these disciples of Yahshua were in obedience to
Yahweh’s laws.
Most of
those who engage in the modern “speaking in tongues” phenomenon in imitation of
what took place in Acts 2 completely overlook WHY they gathered. If they are
imitating what happened in Acts 2, should they not be coming together annually
on the Holy Days of the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)?
Either
the disciples never got the message that these days had been abolished, or the
Savior’s death did NOT do away with these holy days. And why is it that some
churches today will acknowledge “Pentecost Sunday” but ignore the six other
annual Holy Days? Request our free booklet, Biblical Holy Days and learn about the seven important Feast days
still in effect today.
Unique Among Experiences
There has never been a duplication of the phenomena
we see in verse 2 and 3 in any charismatic meeting since apostolic times.
No one
in Acts had to “pray down” the Holy Spirit by agonizing, pleading, crying,
chanting or repeating certain words or phrases. They didn’t need a leader or
prompter to get them in the mood. The power of Yahweh came instantly from
heaven and those gathered were caught completely by surprise and, no doubt,
were quite startled.
Modern
charismatics, on the other hand, believed they must seek the gift of
glossolalia (Greek glossa Ialein) and
so developed “tarry’ meetings within Pentecostalism, as groups of people will
‘tarry’ and be taught how to expand their consciousness in order to bypass the
intellect and to open themselves up to the baptism of the Spirit,” Evangelical
Dictionary of Theology, pp. 1102-1103.
Today’s
typical charismatic gathering with its shouting, pleading, dancing about, and
“praying down” is not unlike EliYah’s experience with the 450 prophets of Baal,
who cried out from morning to noon, leaping on their altar and cutting
themselves in a futile attempt to gain the attention of their deity Baal
(1Kings 18:26, 28). Emotionalism in worship was part of the ritual of pagan
mystery religions, as we will see.
Furthermore, we read that the disciples were sitting when the Holy
Spirit came to them, not standing, rolling on the floor, convulsing or leaping
frenetically about. Nor do we find any of them falling backward as the Spirit
came, but it hovered about each of their heads. Nowhere in Scripture do we see
real gifts of the Spirit operating when someone is out of control or under a
supernatural seizure. A characteristic of the Spirit is self-control, Galatians
5:22-23.
Has
anyone ever heard of or seen the following, supernatural phenomena in any
modern tongues meeting:
·
Deafening sound of a mighty wind?
·
Fire-like flames above everyone’s head?
·
A multitude of foreign languages being spoken, and each being
understood by someone else?
If we are to genuinely duplicate this outpouring of the Holy Spirit that we see in Acts 2, then surely these same miracles should be repeated today. Not also that the miraculous sounds – as well as SIGHTS – were initiated EXCLUSIVELY by the Holy Spirit and did not arise from the mouths or actions of human beings.
Why was
there a sound of wind when the Holy Spirit came? The Hebrew term for the Holy
Spirit is Ruach Ha Kodesh and means
“The Hallowed Wind.” In the Greek it is Pneuma
Hagion, meaning “Sacred Wind or Breath.” In John 20:22 Yahshua gave His
disciples the firstfruits promise of the Holy Spirit. He did this when He “breathed
on them.” Wind is associated with the Holy Spirit’s power, the invisible
force and extension of Yahweh Himself. Evidence shows that they still did not
have the Holy Spirit working within them until Acts 2.
When the
Holy Spirit was poured out, all 120 were filled with this power from Yahweh,
Acts 2:4. How many can claim that ALL at their charismatic meetings “receive
the Holy Spirit” and speak in recognizable languages as they did in Acts 2?
Familiar Languages Spoken
The word “tongues” in verse 4 is the Greek word glossa and means either the physical
tongue or a language. This was not gibberish or some language unfamiliar to
everyone, as we will see.
The word
“tongue” or “tongues” occurs 60 times in the New Testament, and in none of them
does it refer to strange and unknown speech. In 50 of those instances the word
is glossa, meaning the physical
tongue or known language.
Of the
remaining 10 places where we find the word tongue(s), the Greek word is dialektos (occurring 5 times) and means
discourse, dialect, language, tongue. Hebraisti occurs in 4 places and means Hebrew language. Occurring once is heterglossos, which means foreign
tongues or languages.
All of
these Greek words translated tongue(s) in the New Testament expresses either
the physical muscle in the mouth or a recognizable language.
From
verses 5 and 6 we learn that numerous Jews from many different countries were
in Jerusalem at the time of Pentecost. At least 15 nations were represented,
and a listing of the nations represented follows. These foreigners spoke a
variety of languages and dialects.
What was
astonishing was that “every man heard them speak in his own language”
(vv. 6, 8, 11). Have you ever heard of such a thing happening today? A
missionary travels to a foreign country and teaches, fully conversant in the
language of the people without any prior knowledge of that language? The 120
were able to do exactly that.
This was
one of the great miracles of Pentecost. It was one of the most astounding
events of all history. And it happened just as Yahshua said it would: they
would be empowered to be witnesses of Him to foreign peoples!
What
passes for the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” today in charismatic meetings bears
little resemblance to the Pentecost experience in Acts with in purpose or in
the particular phenomena.
It Was WHAT Was Said, Not
How
We are awed by the way the Holy Spirit was first
manifest to mankind. As miraculous as it was, however, it was only a tool, a
means to an even more important end.
What
most don’t realize is that this gift to speak foreign languages was not only to
further the Good News, but was also to show that Yahweh was now calling other
peoples unto Himself, others besides Jews! We will see this more fully when we
look at the few incidents where this gift of tongues was given.
The 120
were ministering “the wonderful works of Yahweh,” verse 11. The multitude
listening were “amazed” and were “in doubt” concerning what they said, not in
how the disciples said it! (verse 12). The message was the resurrection of
Yahshua the Messiah, as Peter detailed it in the verses that follow (14-36).
Many
today want only the signs and miracles rather than the more important message
behind those miracles, brought through the Word. They seek only the gifts while
lacking the necessary spiritual understanding that leads to a changed life and
obedience. They want the sign first, before they will believe and obey Yahweh.
Of these Yahshua warned in Matthew 16:4, “A wicked and adulterous generation
seeks after a sign…”
In other words, unconverted people who disobey Yahweh’s laws seek the Holy Spirit and gifts that are in fact given to the obedient (Acts 5:32).
Little
has changed since the days of the Apostles.
The Real Power Was in the
Message
Using this gift of a supposed ability to “speak in
tongues” as the only evidence that one has the Holy Spirit is not only
unscriptural, but also totally misses the point of the gift!
As was
typical in Scripture, Yahweh was presenting great truths to unbelievers by way
of miracles. It was a means of getting their attention. For the most part the
Jews did not believe Yahshua was the Savior, let alone that He was resurrected
from the dead. The miracle at Pentecost fulfilled Yahshua’s promise of the
event and helped to confirm that He was who He said He was.
The
miracles that accompanied the Acts 2 message were not the most significant
aspect of what happened, but the death and resurrection of Yahshua was. It was
the power of Peter’s dynamic sermon that converted 3,000 people that day, Acts
2:40-41.
The
ability to speak in other languages was simply a tool as well as a way to add
convincing proof of the message Yahshua taught.
Only a small number of disciples were sent to a vast number of people from different nations and tongues. To facilitate this work, the gift of speaking in various languages was given to them. Remember, though, that the message was the reason for their ministry, not the ability to speak languages without having learned them – which was only the means to TRANSMIT the message.
Only Three Instances of
Tongues
There are only three instances in the New Testament
where speaking in tongues or languages followed the giving of the Holy Spirit.
Each time it was to a specific and different group of people to show that they,
too, were included in the Body of the Messiah.
è The first instance we’ve already seen. It was to Jews “dwelling in Jerusalem, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.” When they were convicted and asked Peter what they needed to do next, Peter told them to repent and be baptized in the Name of Yahshua for the remission of sins, Acts 2:38.
Verse 39
explains clearly the reason for bringing the message of salvation to these Jews
(with the aid of miraculously spoken languages): “For the promise is unto
you and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as Yahweh
our Elohim shall call.”
Who else
is called? Let’s look at the remaining instances where foreign languages were
miraculously spoken.
è The second instance is in Acts 10, when Peter and converted Jews went to Caesarea at the invitation of the Gentile Cornelius, a Roman centurion. After Peter heard of the invitation Yahweh inspired in Cornelius, Peter said, “Of a truth I perceive that Elohim is no respecter of persons but in very nation he that fears Him, and work righteousness, is accepted with Him,” Acts 10:34-35. Notice verses 45-46:
“And
they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with
Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy
Spirit. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify Yahweh.”
The Holy
Spirit’s gift of languages was a demonstration that nay Gentile can be called
by Yahweh to be in the Body of the Messiah.
What
impressed them was not so much the supernatural gift, but to WHOM it was given:
“When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified Elohim,
saying, Then has Elohim also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life”
(Acts 11:18).
Had they
had not seen the gifts, the Jews may not have believed the Gentiles were
included in the promise.
And what
did they hear these Gentiles speak, gibberish? No, it was the same gift that he
and the other disciples received on Pentecost, the ability to speak glossa – languages! Peter confirmed that
Yahshua gave them the same gift “as He did unto us” (Acts 11:15, 17).
è The last instance is in
Acts 19:6-7. Here are 12 disciples of John the Baptist who had undergone the
baptism of repentance under John. They had not understood or complied with the
baptism of salvation through Yahshua the Messiah. Their ability to speak in
languages (glossa) after Paul
immersed them in Yahshua’s Name showed that they also had been accepted. Now these
brethren could evangelize Ephesus and its hinterlands through speaking the
various languages there.
A Sign for the Unbelieving
Paul clearly explained the purpose for the gift to
speak in languages: “Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe,
but to them that believe not,” 1Corinthians 14:22. Yet today we find people
who already believe (in their own way), trying to convince their believing
brethren with a tongues sign intended for unbelievers!
Once the
New Testament could be written and distributed all over the world, with the
proofs recorded for us, there was no need for the gifts to speak in languages.
That is why Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:8 “whether there be tongues [glossa], they shall cease…”
The Book
of Acts is a record of the early Assembly in transition. The supernatural
phenomena we read about in Acts were exceptional events with a specific
purpose, not everyday occurrences, and were always in association with the
ministry of the apostles and with apostles or their direct appointees present.
The decreasing frequency of miracles is dramatic from the beginning of Acts to
the end. Twenty-five years after the New Testament Assembly was established,
when many miracles were performed, we find the Apostle Paul suffering from a
disability (2Cor. 12:7-10) and unable to cure Timothy of ailments (1 Tim.
5:23). He also left a brother sick at Miletus (2Tim. 4:20).
The
Biblical phenomenon of “speaking in tongues” is the ability to speak in
unlearned, foreign languages. This gift of the Holy Spirit had a two-fold
purpose:
1. to
communicate the Good News to foreigners expeditiously and
2. to
prove through the manifestation of the Holy Spirit that non-Israelites as well
as Jews could now be included in the New Covenant.
The
Greek expression, glossa lalein,
meaning “to speak in tongues,” is used infrequently in the New Testament –
found in only three New Testament books: Mark, Acts, and 1Corinthians. If this
is the most desired and glorious gift, why is it not more prominent throughout
the New Testament? And why does Paul continually downplay the significance of
the gift of tongues, even while cautioning its use? Because he knew how it
would be abused and misunderstood!
Paul is
the only writer who deals with the gift of tongues in depth – in 1Corinthians
12-14. In 1 Corinthians 14 he zeroes in on tongues and offers a detailed and
enlightening assessment and purpose of tongues as it compares with the other
gifts of the Spirit.
1Corinthians 14 Examined
Let’s look at 1Corinthians
14 verse by verse to see what else we can learn about the phenomenon of
speaking in tongues from the teaching of Paul.
We begin
in verse 1: “Follow after
charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy.”
Love (charity) is essential for the True
Worshiper. Without his or her faith is in vain. He or she should also desire
the gifts of the Spirit, and the most important of these is to prophesy.
“Prophesy” is the Greek prophetes and
means to speak under inspiration or to foretell events. Cruden’s Complete Concordance says, “Ordinarily this word is understood as meaning one who foretells future
events. It meant, at that time our English Bible was being translated, also a
preacher – and prophesying meant preaching,” p.517. Inspired teaching of others
should be a highest of goals for the True Follower of Yahshua.
14:2: “For he that speaks in an unknown tongues speaks not unto men, but unto Elohim: for no man understands him;
howbeit in the spirit he speaks mysteries.”
You will
note that in some Bibles like the KJV,
the word “unknown” is in italics in this verse and throughout this chapter.
This means it was not in the Greek text, but was added by translators who
thought they were making the meaning clearer. The meaning is clear when we
remove the supplied word “unknown.” The non-italicized, legitimate word
“unknown” is found only three times in the entire New Testament and in none of
them is it in reference to speaking in tongues. (See 2Cor. 6:9, Gal. 1:22, Acts
17:23.)
As
The Complete Biblical Library explains, “’Tongues’ do not edify anyone
else because no one can understand what is being said unless there is
interpretation or, as occasionally happens, the ‘tongues’ are in a foreign language
understood by someone present. Only [Yahweh] understands. ‘Not unto men’ shows
that, whatever the intention, the person speaking in tongues still speaks only
to [Yahweh]. If there is no interpretation, and no one present understood the
language, then only [Yahweh] understands...The public assembly is not the place
for such ‘private’ communion, unless the gift of interpretation is operating to
produce edification” (Vol. Romans-Corinthians, p. 435).
By [or
with] the “spirit” [pneumati] does
not refer to the Holy Spirit, but to the person’s own spirit (see vv. 14, 15).
14:3: “But he that prophesies speaks
unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.”
An inspired speaker has an important purpose. He is
able to edify or build up the brethren, to teach and to comfort them. By doing
so he displays true love, just as Yahshua did.
In the
preceding chapter, Paul writes, “If I should speak with the tongues of men
and of angels, and have not love, I am becoming as sounding brass, or a tinkling
cymbal,” 13:1. Concern for the welfare of the brethren is love.
14:4: “He that speaks in an unknown
tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the assembly.”
Notice a
crucial point here – the focus of this entire 14th chapter: Paul
says that a person who speaks to the assembly in a foreign tongue essentially
edifies HIMSELF. But he who speaks inspired, completely understandable words to
the people edifies THE BRETHREN. So, which is more important?
Paul’s
basic theme here is the need to edify, teach, exhort, correct, guide, and
comfort the gathered assembly. He repeats throughout this chapter that the
purpose of our speaking should be to educate and build up the Body of the
Messiah, which we will see in upcoming verses.
Using a gift to speak in unlearned languages has the effect of self-edification, as it draws attention to the speaker and his gift. This by itself can overshadow any benefit to brothers and sisters in the faith. The significance is not HOW something is said but WHAT is said.
Spiritual gifts are not toys to play with, but tools to build with. To
build the Body of Messiah is our purpose as True Worshipers.
14:5:
“I would that you all spake with tongues [glossa, languages], but
rather that you prophesied: for greater is he that prophesies than he that
speaks with tongues, except he interpret, that the assembly may receive
edifying.”
It is obvious that not all could speak in “tongues” (other languages). According to many charismatics, those who can’t speak in tongues do not have the Holy Spirit. But Paul says or implies no such thing. The gift to speak in foreign languages is only one of the gifts of the Spirit. Lacking it no more means one lacks the Spirit than does lacking any one of the other gifts.
Again,
we see that the purpose for spiritual gifts is to benefit the assembly, which
is possible through inspired speaking. If a person speaks in a foreign tongue,
it is crucial that his words be translated, which is the meaning of “interpret”
here.
Paul
says he wishes all could speak in languages (glossa), but more importantly, that all could speak with
inspiration. Only when a tongue is understandable can it edify the assembly.
14:6: “Now, brethren, if I come unto
you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you
either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?”
What is the purpose of speaking in an unrecognizable language if it doesn’t convey understanding, knowledge, or teaching? The Body of Messiah receives no benefit if nothing of substance is learned. Again we see that the brethren of the Assembly are the ones who must gain by the experience or else it is fruitless.
14:7-9: “And even things without
life-giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the
sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? For if the trumpet give
an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? So likewise you,
except you utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be
known what is spoken? For you shall speak into the air.”
Here Paul strikes at the heart of the belief that speaking in tongues means gibberish. He illustrates his point with musical instruments. A pipe or harp is of no value unless it follows the rules of music and produces a tune with order, harmony, and melody. A bugler who plays just any notes indiscriminately will get no one to respond to his battle call. A voice that doesn’t speak a recognized pattern, and that doesn’t follow the vocabulary, syntax, grammar, and rules of a language, is discordant and totally baffling to the hearers. To speak nonsense is the same as speaking to the wind, Paul says.
14:10-11: “There are, it may be, so
many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
Therefore I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaks
a barbarian, and he that speaks shall be a barbarian unto me.”
The Emphatic
Diaglott translates these verses from the Greek as, “It may be there
are so many kinds of languages in the world, and no one is unmeaning; if, then
I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be to the speaker a
barbarian, and the speaker will be a barbarian to me.”
The
Expositor’s Bible Commentary says of this passage, “Paul’s speaking of
the languages of the world along with his reference to the ‘foreigner’
(‘barbarian’...) substantiates the conclusion that in his discussion of tongues
he has in mind known foreign languages. Phonai (‘languages’) can at times mean ‘voices,’ ‘sounds’ (cf. v. 7; Rev. 5:2), but
here in connection with aphonos (‘without meaning’), it indicates languages that can convey meaning by their
systematic distinction of sounds. The ‘meaning’ (dynamin, literally ‘power’) of the language refers to its ‘power’
to convey meaning. In v. 12 Paul applies these things to the Corinthians –
‘so it is with you.’ They are, in short, to major in
gifts that will strengthen the [Assembly]” (1Cor. 14:10-12, p. 273).
14:12-17: “Even so you, forasmuch as
you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that you may excel to the edifying of
the assembly. Wherefore let him that speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he
may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my
understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and
I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I
will sing with the understanding also. Else when you shall bless with the
spirit, how shall he that occupies the room of the unlearned say ‘Amen’ at your
giving of thanks, seeing he understands now what you say? For you verily give
thanks well, but the other is not edified.”
Again, note the point Paul emphasizes throughout this chapter: What is the purpose in speaking if the speech is not understood? The purpose of spiritual gifts is to benefit the assembly of believers. If a person conveys a message in a foreign