Index To All Five Sections
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Part I
1 Corinthians - The Gift of Tongues Disregarding Much of What Paul Said About The Gift of Tongues How Important Were Tongues in The New Testament?
Part II
A Known Language or Unintelligible Utterances? Unknown Languages or Ecstatic Speech? Inexpressible Words? Tongues of Angels?
Literal language or hyperbole? Matthew 6:7
our prayers should be short and meaningful.
Part I
1 Corinthians - The Gift of Tongues
It is clear that when people spoke in tongues after receiving the Holy Spirit, they were communicating with God in the form of prayer, praise etc. For example, on Pentecost the disciples were "speaking of the mighty deeds of God" in the various languages of the multitude present. And in Acts 10, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on Cornelius and his household the Romans were magnifying God in languages that they had never learned (Acts 10:46 NASB)
The 'gift of tongues' is when a person is moved by the Father to speak in tongues, either privately or in a public church service or other Christian gathering. Paul makes a very clear distinction between whom a person is speaking to when they prophesy and whom they are speaking to when they speak in tongues. For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. (1 Corinthians 14:2-3 NASB)
Disregarding this verse has led people to believe that tongues is a miraculous method of communicating with our fellow humans, rather than God. However, as said in the previous chapter, there is no difference between tongues in 1 Corinthians and tongues in Acts. Although we commonly assume that the book of Acts was written first, it was actually written a few years after Paul's epistle to the Corinthians. Thus Luke who was also Paul's traveling companion, had to have read or at least been familiar with Paul's first letter to the Corinthians in which the word glossa was used some 21 times. If Luke knew that the manifestations of tongues on Pentecost were different from those Paul spoke about in 1 Corinthians, why didn't he give even the slightest hint that this was the case. Instead, he used exactly the same word glossa - to describe the phenomena in Acts 2. But first, one has to ask.... Why Only The Corinthians?
Why didn't Paul bring up the subject of tongues in his letters to any church other than the one in Corinth? The answer is not that difficult to figure out if you pay attention to the overall message of 1 Corinthians 14. Paul was correcting how those in the congregation that had the gift of tongues were using the gift. The Corinthians, an apparently rather exuberant and often unruly bunch seemed quite enamored with spiritual gifts - particularly the gift of tongues. They were apparently not only over-emphasizing tongues at the expense of other gifts (particularly prophecy), but were using tongues incorrectly. Which is why, the apostle put in a lot of time and effort making sure they understood the reason for tongues and how it was to be used. Because this gift is given strictly for the building up of the church there are (largely ignored) strict guidelines governing how it is used. Hopefully, the Corinthians paid more heed to Paul's instructions than we do.
Disregarding Much of What Paul Said About The Gift of Tongues.
1) Not All Christians Speak In Tongues
When Paul talked about the distribution of spiritual gifts in chapter 12, he unambiguously stated that not all Christians were given the same gift.
But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:7-10 NASB)
In fact, Paul asked a number of rhetorical questions (to which the obvious answer was "no") then went on to say that he would show the Corinthians a more excellent way than the gifts. All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? All do not have gifts of healing, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way. (1 Corinthians 12:29-31 NASB)
Paul also stated that it is the Lord's prerogative as to how, when, and to whom, the gifts are distributed. This was emphasized by the author of Hebrews as well. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. (1 Corinthians 12:11 NASB) how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. (Hebrews 2:3-4 NASB)
2) Not The Most Desirable Gift:
Although Paul himself spoke in tongues, and wrote that he wished that all the church did, he never once indicated that tongues was a must have for all believers. Much to the contrary, he placed far greater value on prophecy because, as he said, he who prophesies edifies the church. Prophecy is better for the church as a whole. His very clear advice was that the Corinthians should desire to prophesy, rather than speak in tongues. (1) Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. (2) For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. (3) But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. (4) One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. (5) Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying. (1 Corinthians 14:1-5 NASB)
3) No Interpreter - No Tongues
Paul was also very clear that, in a public assembly, no more than two or three could use the gift of tongues at one time, but should there be no interpreter present they were to keep silent. What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation (Gk. hermeneia). Let all things be done for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God. (1 Corinthians 14:26-28 NASB)
The reason is stated in v. 14, "For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful." In other words, no one can be elevated, enlightened, or uplifted if they cannot understand what they themselves or someone else is saying. It is no wonder that Paul said it is better to speak five words with understanding than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. Thus, it is the responsibility of the one who speaks in tongues to pray that he might also be able to interpret. There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning. If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me. So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church. (1 Corinthians 14:10-12 NASB)
Note that he following verse does not say that the speaker should pray that someone else to interpret. Speaking and interpreting can be done by the same person Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. (1 Corinthians 14:13-14 NASB)
One has to ask why tongues on Pentecost required no interpreter, but tongues in the Corinthian church did. Simply because... 4) Tongues Was A Sign to Unbelievers:
Remember what Paul said to the Corinthians in 14:22 - "tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers". A "sign" is something that points to or suggests the presence or existence of something else just as dark clouds are a sign of bad weather. So what were tongues a sign of? This question is very easily answered if you look very carefully at who was given the sign ie. The Jews, the Gentiles and the Samaritans - all three groups unbelievers at the time. Tongues was also a sign to those who hadn't got the complete message thus were not yet converted. This is covered in more detail in the previous chapter. The non-believer has to understand what is being said and, at the same time, realize that the speaker has no knowledge of the language used. This is a 'sign' that something miraculous has taken place. Which brings up the question of how many people, if any, have ever been converted by the incomprehensible gibberish that comes out of people's mouth's in the modern church. 5) Speak In Turns:
Paul had a great deal of concern for decorum. In verse 27, he limited the number who may speak in tongues at any one time to two or three, who must take turns. They are to make their contribution in sequence and not all speak at one time. If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God. (1 Corinthians 14:27-28 NASB)
And why was this? 6) Do Everything Decently and In Order Lest Outsiders Think You Are All Mad:
Paul told the Corinthians that a non believer who heard numerous people all speaking in tongues at the same time would probably run for their lives thinking the entire congregation to have lost their collective minds. Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? (1 Corinthians 14:23 NASB)
In fact, he closed this topic with the words Certainly decency and order are not the words that come to mind when confronted with many of today's modern charismatic church services, which all too often deteriorate into literal bedlam. The pastor or some other leader will often be yelling and pleading with God to send down His Holy Spirit. This is often accompanied by feverish prayer, hymn singing, jumping up and down, hand clapping, and repetitious words or phrases, such as "Glory, Hallelujah!", or simply "Jesus". If that wasn't enough, those who 'receive the Holy Spirit' can have what looks suspiciously like convulsions. They jerk, twitch, and fall on the floor in all manner of positions, some of which can be seen as woefully immodest. Some lie motionless on the floor for long periods of time, others get fits of the giggles that they actually call "holy Laughter" and, what I find truly horrifying, some people scream like they are being tortured. See Chapter 4. People who participate in meetings that ignore all the above are either sadly ignorant of what the Word of God teaches, or have placed denominational teaching above the New Testament.
How Important Were Tongues in The New Testament?
Another factor we need to look at is whether or not the importance and emphasis placed on the gift of tongues by so many Charismatic and Pentecostal churches today is derived from the New Testament. The gifts of the Spirit in general are mentioned in several places in the New Testament. The first list of gifts in Romans 12 does not mention tongues at all.
Romans 12: 6-8: Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (NASB)
The other two (especially 1 Corinthians 12: 28-30) appear to list the gifts in some sort of order of importance, yet tongues is listed last in both places. 1Corinthians 12:8-10: For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. (NASB) 1 Corinthians 12: 28-30: And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way. (NASB)
How then is any of this compatible with the claim that if one has not spoken in tongues, one has not been baptized in the Holy Spirit? According to the New Testament it is the fruit of the Spirit that indicates ones standing before God. Only those who produce good fruit will enter God's Kingdom (See for example Matthew 7:15-20, Matthew 12: 33-37, Galatians 5:22-23). No such promise is made to those that speak in tongues or demonstrate any other gifts. In fact, the people Jesus spoke of below had impressive spiritual accomplishments - they prophesied, cast out demons, and performed miracles. Yet the Lord's judgment on them was very chilling. "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.' (Matthew 7:22-23 NASB)
Very clearly, no supernatural ability amounts to a hill of beans if unaccompanied by obedience to our Lord's commandments. See for example John 14:21 and 15:10. Also See Cessationism.. or Have the Spiritual Gifts Ceased?
Much of the charismatic movement is anti-intellectual, with people literally being told not to think or study, but to simply feel and experience. They believe that God supernaturally guides them through their lives and all they need is the occasional verse with scant regard paid to whether it is in context or not. Using discernment, or even comparing what is being said and taught with the Scriptures is seen as 'quenching the Holy Spirit' and 'putting God in a box'. On the other hand, is it true that the "miraculous" gifts such as tongues, miracles, word of knowledge, healing and prophecy were given as affirmation of God's revelation but were withdrawn once the church was established, either with the completion of the New Testament canon or the death of John the last apostle?
Part II
A Known Language or Unintelligible Utterances?
The more serious problems arise in the interpretation of the twenty-one references to tongues in 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14. Some instances of the tongues spoken within the charismatic movement today have been examined by linguistic scholars, and found not to be any real, human language. This brings up the question of whether there is any solid evidence in the Bible that the gift of tongues was a known human language rather than unintelligible utterances. Pentecost
Filled with the Holy Spirit, the disciples began to speak in other languages they had neither previously learned nor understood. In other words tongues were distinct, understandable languages, given as a sign to confirm that both the men and the message they proclaimed were from God. This convinced many that this phenomena was a mighty display of the power of God and they became believers in Jesus Christ. After Pentecost
Peter drew a very close parallel between what happened to the household of Cornelius and the experience of the disciples on Pentecost. In fact, he twice acknowledged the connection between the two events, the second time when recounting the incident to the elders in Jerusalem And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning. "And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' "Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way? (Acts 11:15-17 NASB)
How did Peter know that the Romans had received the same gift as the disciples did on Pentecost? Acts 10:46 tells us that they were using tongues to "magnify God". Obviously the Jews understood what was being said, which would not have been the case if what they said was unintelligible.
Unknown Languages or Ecstatic Speech?
An "Unknown" Tongue
Some believe that the tongues in First Corinthians were ecstatic utterances not known to anyone on earth - this based on the phrase "unknown tongue" that is used five times (1 Corinthians 14:2, 4, 13, 14, 19, and 27) in the King James version and a couple of other translations. What they may not realize is that the word "unknown" does not occur in the original Greek in any of these verses which is why it is in italics. Newer translations have omitted the word "unknown". For example,
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. (1 Corinthians 14:2 KJV) For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. (1 Corinthians 14:2 NASB)
The word apparently added by the translators to explain that the language being spoken was not understood by the Greek speaking congregation therefore "unknown" to them. However, this addition has caused a great deal of misunderstanding - often been taken to mean that the language being spoken was not known on earth. In any case there is no such thing as an "unknown tongue". If it is a "tongue" (Gk. glossa) it is a language or dialect used by a particular people. However, I suspect that the gibberish spoken at Pentecostal meetings is a language known to someone or something out there. See Next Chapter - Tongues- Gift of What Spirit? "Ecstatic" Speech?
Many believe that while foreign languages were spoken in Acts 2 and may have been spoken in the other instances in Acts, tongues in the book of Corinthians was "ecstatic speech" - not a foreign language. The English word ecstatic describes the psychological state of the speaker who is in a state of emotion so intense that he or she is carried beyond rational thought and self-control. However, in the Scriptures ecstatic comes from the Greek word ekstasis used seven times in the New Testament, and translated either amazement or trance. None of the occurrences have any connection to the gift of tongues. In his discussion of tongues in 1 Corinthians, Paul neither uses ekstasis nor says anything about the emotional or mental state of the speaker. He concentrates instead on whether or not the tongues were interpreted. In other words, the problem was not speaking in tongues per se, but speaking in tongues without interpretation, which seems to be exactly what the Corinthians were doing. Additionally, when Paul said... If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God. (1 Corinthians 14:27-28 NASB)
... he clearly indicated that the speaker was in complete control of his speech, i.e. not in an ecstatic or trance like state.
Speaking Mysteries
In 1 Corinthians 14:2, Paul says
For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries (Gk. musterion). (1 Corinthians 14:2 NASB)
Mysteries? We usually think of a mystery as something that we have to figure out. For example, a murder mystery is a "whodunit". However, when the Bible speaks about "mysteries", it is not referring to something that is incomprehensible or even difficult to understand, but to some truth that has either not yet been revealed. More commonly, a truth that was once hidden but is now revealed. As Jesus said And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?" Jesus answered them, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. (Matthew 13:10-11 NASB)
The communication of "mysteries" did not require ecstatic speech. Paul clearly revealed and taught mysteries - in Greek. Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery (Gk. musterion) which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; (Romans 16:25-26 NASB) Behold, I tell you a mystery (Gk. musterion); we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52 NASB)
Also See The Mystery of God is Finished (Revelation 10:5-7) on THIS Page
Inexpressible Words?
So what did it mean when Paul said that when he was caught up to Paradise, he heard unspeakable (KJV) or inexpressible (NASB) words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter" (2 Corinthians 12:4.) Emphasis Added. "Inexpressible words" was translated from the Greek arrheta
rhemata. [01]
What the account does not tell us is whom Paul heard these inexpressible words from. Did God speak or reveal something to him? Or did an angel do so? Did Paul perhaps overhear angelic beings conversing with each other? Frankly we have no idea. However, what we do know is Paul understood everything he heard but was not permitted to repeat it, which he could not have done if he hadn't understood any of it. Similarly, in Revelation 10:4 a voice from heaven told John to "Seal up the things which the seven peals of thunder have spoken and do not write them."
Tongues of Angels
The first three verses of chapter 13 all use exactly the same format.
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. (1 Corinthians 13:1 NASB) If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:2 NASB) And If I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:3 NASB)
Although in all five statements, Paul was using hyperbole (a form of literary exaggeration) to emphasize the point he was making to the quarrelsome Corinthians (i.e. regardless of how elevated all gifts are useless to the giver if he doesn't have love) we have decided that just one of the five points is to be taken literally. Let me explain. We cannot become gongs or cymbals, know all mysteries nor have all knowledge. I also very much doubt that any of us are going to surrender our bodies to be burned. Why then do we think we can "speak in the tongues of angels"? As said by Bob Deffinbaugh Tongues is the ability to speak in unlearned earthly languages as seen in Acts 2. To the Corinthians, the ultimate in tongues was to be able to speak in a language which was not earthly. And so Paul grants the hypothetical though unreal possibility that one could speak every human language, and even in the tongue of angels. [02] In any case, every Biblical instance of interaction between angels and humans demonstrates that angels speak human languages quite capably. In fact, John understood them perfectly well even when they were speaking to each other (See Revelation 7:2).
Matthew 6:7 - Meaningless Repetition
And finally, we need to pay attention to Jesus' instructions to His disciples
And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition (Gr battologeo) as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. (Matthew 6:7 NASB)
The word translated "repetition' is the Greek battologeo, unfortunately used just once in the New Testament. However, according to Thayers it means to repeat the same things over and over, to use many idle words, to babble, prate. Some suppose the word derived from Battus, a king of Cyrene, who is said to have stuttered; others from Battus, an author of tedious and wordy poems.
There are two possible logical interpretations of Jesus' instructions. Either He was referring to long prayers in the speaker's own language or to the repeated sounds we hear in glossolalia. However, the word 'meaningless' steers us away from the first possibility because, even if prayers in a known language are long and the person praying tends to repeat himself, the words are not necessarily meaningless. They mean something even if they are said over and over again. If this is true, and it certainly seems to be so, Jesus was specifically instructing us to not indulge in glossolalia but when we pray our prayers should be short and meaningful. This is nowhere more clear than when He gave us the Lord's Prayer as a pattern. It is a short prayer that covers a very broad spectrum of subjects but does not contain a single repetition. One has to ask why Jesus would teach a standard of prayer that is the exact opposite of the babbling one hears in so many Pentecostal/Charismatic churches today. Modern tongues speakers use unknown words, tend to be long winded, and endlessly repeat themselves. Jesus' prayer 'pattern' is short, uses our languages and never repeats itself. A typical example of mindless repetition can be hard in THIS Video of Kenneth Hagin speaking in tongues - It is exceedingly long but you can skip to the 3.30 mark to hear an example of his mindless repetition. So, the million dollar question is, if tongues were a known language in the New Testament with absolutely no evidence to show that it was some form of ecstatic or 'angelic' speech and Paul instructed that everything was to be done decently and in order, where does the unintelligible gibberish, jerking, twitching, falling on the floor etc. all come from?
End Notes
[01] https://biblehub.com/interlinear/2_corinthians/12-4.htm
[02] Bob Deffinbaugh. Bible.org. What Is This Thing Called Love? (1 Cor. 13:1-13).
https://bible.org/seriespage/27-what-thing-called-love-1-cor-131-13 Continue On To Part IV - What Spirit?: Neither Tongues nor Erratic Movements are Restricted to Born Again Christian Believers. How Did a Different Spirit Infiltrate The Church? - A Brief History of Pentecostalism May Provide The Answer. Voodoo. Circumstantial Evidence? Common Signs of Demon Possession. Comparing the Lwa with New Testament Demonic Possession. HERE | 
