Speaking in Tongues:

What does the word ‘tongues’ mean?

It is a language; and/or a dialect.

Was speaking in tongues a gift?

What was the intention for this gift?

1 Corinthians 14:22 Wherefore languages are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying not for them that believe not, but for them who believe.

1 Corinthians 14:5 and I wish you all to speak with tongues, and more that ye may prophecy, for greater is he who is prophesying than he who is speaking with tongues, except one may interpret, that the assembly may receive edification.

Note: Tongues (languages) were a sign for unbelievers, and for edifying the believers of the assembly.

What are Biblical examples for speaking in tongues?

Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

Acts 2:8 “And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born?

Acts 10:46 for they were hearing them speaking with tongues and magnifying God.

Note: They were magnifying God.

Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid {his} hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke in languages, and prophesied. What languages (tongues) were Biblically spoken?

Acts 2:8 “And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? :9 “Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, :10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, :11 Cretans and Arabs– we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God”.

Note: They were speaking of the great works of God.

How was speaking in tongues Biblically described?

1 Corinthians 14:2 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.

Note: There are some that understand this Scripture verse can also mean that one can use tongues as a private means to communicate with God.

1 Corinthians 12:8 for to one through the Spirit hath been given a word of wisdom, and to another a word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; :9 and to another faith in the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healings in the same Spirit; :10 and to another in-workings of mighty deeds; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits; and to another {divers} kinds of tongues; and to another interpretation of tongues:

Note: Speaking in tongues was a gift from God that could be interpreted.

Are there ‘unknown’ tongues as described in the K.J.V.?

Note: The word ‘unknown’ in the following verses is not in any text of the Bible. The word unknown is a KJV insertion.

1 Corinthians 14:2 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 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

1 Corinthians 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

1 Corinthians 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

1 Corinthians 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

1 Corinthians 14:27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

Note: The theological idea for speaking in an unknown tongue is un-Biblical nonsense.

Any Bible with the word ‘unknown’ in any of these verses is an insertion by translators.

1 Corinthians 14:9 So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.

Those that speak in an ‘unknown’ tongue are in reality babbling nonsense (into the air).

Those that claim to interpret any unknown tongue, is not Biblical or possible, because an unknown language cannot be interpreted.

1 Corinthians 14:10 There are, perhaps a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning.

Note: There are many different languages (tongues) and all have meaning.

1 Corinthians 14:11 If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me.

Note: There is no Biblical proof of an unknown tongue. There also are no Biblical implications for an unknown tongue.

(A barbarian was one considered as non-Greek.)

Are new tongues ‘unknown’?

KJV Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Note: Speaking in tongues today is often described as an ‘unknown tongue’.

This teaching is introduced as Biblical fact (but is not) when Mark 16:17 is taken out of context.

How does the Bible explain new tongues?

Acts 2:6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were bewildered, because they were each one hearing them speak in his own language.

Acts 2:8 “And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born?

Note: The disciples and Apostles never spoke in a new tongue as in an ‘unknown’ language. The Biblical new tongues were to be different languages that were new to them.

What was to be accomplished by speaking in tongues?

1 Corinthians 14:6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching?

Who was edified by speaking in tongues?

1 Corinthians 14:12 So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.

1 Corinthians 14:26 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. Let all things be done for edification.

Note: Speaking in tongues was so the congregation (assembly) could be edified.

Do tongues need to be interpreted?

1 Corinthians 12:10 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 14:27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and let one interpret; :28 but if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.

Note: For one to Biblically speak in tongues in an assembly (church) it was necessary for someone to interpret the language, and no more than two or three were to speak. If there was no interpreter, they were not to speak and were to be silent in the church.

What was the result of no interpreter?

1 Corinthians 14:13 Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. :14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. :15 What is the outcome then? I shall pray with the spirit and I shall pray with the mind also; I shall sing with the spirit and I shall sing with the mind also. :16 Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the un-gifted say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? :17 For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.

Was speaking in tongues proof that one had the Holy Spirit?

1 Corinthians 12:28 And some, indeed, did God set in the assembly, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, afterwards powers, afterwards gifts of healings, helpings, governings, divers kinds of tongues; :29 {are} all apostles? {are} all prophets? {are} all teachers? {are} all powers? :30 have all gifts of healings? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

Note: Speaking in tongues was not the only proof that one had the Holy Spirit.

Speaking in ‘unknown’ tongues was proof that one did not have the Holy Spirit.

[It is possible (when translated in Greek) that verses :29-:30 could be direct statements instead of questions.]

How should speaking in tongues be conducted in assemblies?

1 Corinthians 14:20 Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be babes, but in your thinking be mature.

1 Corinthians 14:23 If therefore the whole church should assemble together and all speak in tongues, and un-gifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? :24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an un-gifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; :25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.

1 Corinthians 14:39 Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. :40 But let all things be done properly and in an orderly manner.

Should one speak in tongues today?

1 Corinthians 14:39 Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.

Note: Speaking in tongues is Biblical, when properly and Biblically done.

How could one know when speaking in tongues, was by the Holy Spirit?

1. Was it in a real language?

2. Did un-believers understand what was being said?

3. Did believers understand what was being said?

4. Was there an interpreter?

5. Was it edifying to the assembly?

6. Did it magnify God?

7. Was it in a proper and mannerly order?

Summary

1. Speaking in tongues was a known language.

2. Speaking in tongues was a gift from God as a sign for un-believers and edification of the assembly.

3. The term ‘unknown’ tongues is not Biblical, and a new tongue is not an unknown language.

4. Speaking in tongues was not the only proof of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

5. An unknown babbling by anyone was not Biblical.

6. Interpretations were required for those speaking in tongues in the assembly.

7. An interpretation of an unknown language is not possible. There are no teachings in the Bible for speaking in tongues in private.

Note: There is not one example or even a hint of anyone speaking in an unknown language in the Bible.

An unknown language has no meaning and is recognized as a babbling that is irrelevant with un-related noise.

Speaking in unknown tongues is a myth.

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