SPEAKING IN TONGUES
This study Speaking in Tongues will mainly focus on the Biblical side of the question. What do tongues mean in the Old Testament (OT). What is the meaning of tongues in the New Testament (NT) and its use? What does the apostle Paul say about use and misuse?
The “Tongues Speaking” practice/phenomenon is universal. In 2006 about 600 million Pentecostal types of people worldwide celebrated 100 years of Pentecostalism in modern days. We will not deal with its origin in modern days or how it was practiced in past history. If you go to Google Information Service and ask for Tongue Speaking in History you will get plenty of information.
However we will quote some statements from a document which was published by the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist church as a report of a special committee meeting dealing with this subject and which was held in 1973.
We also like to refer to an in-depth study done by the late Dr.Gerhard Hasel and which was published by the Adventist Theological Society under the title” Speaking In Tongues”
Pentecostalism/the Charismatic Movement and speaking in tongues is found throughout Protestantism and also in some places in the Roman Catholic Church.
We will also refrain from using Bible Commentaries because they are so different one from the other. Occasionally we may refer to a Bible Commentary. But we will mainly let the Bible text speak for itself and in which context tongue speaking is used or referred to.
The usage of tongues in OT times.
According to Theological Wordbook of the OT, linked to Strong’s Concordance
the Hebrew word for tongue is lashon. We quote the following from this source:
“This word occurs 117 times in the OT. The God-given organ of communication with one’s fellowmen and God, the tongue to be at once the source of much good and evil.”
(Vol. I, p. 484)
The following are a few samples of passage where the physical tongue is used. Judg.7:5 men lapping with their tongue; Lam.4:4 tongue in relation to thirst.
By extension, it (the tongue) carries geographical meaning such as the “tongue” of the land which protrudes into the Dead Sea (Josh.15:2, 5; 18:19; Isa.11:15) or a tongue shaped wedge of gold (Josh. 7:21, 24)
Not once do we find in the OT a reference to any kind of tongue speaking as in the modern day Pentecostal movement.
Before we turn to the NT times we give here the full text from Dr.V.Norskov Olsen in regard to pre-Christian origin of so-called modern day “tongue speaking”. This is taken from the previously mentioned General Conference document, page 1
.
“Ancient sources tell of ecstatic language from the lips of worshippers of pagan gods, suggesting that ecstatic sounds can be simulated by human endeavours or performed by satanic activity. In the ancient Byblos (1100BC) we have record of ecstatic utterances.
The dialogues of Plato (429-347BC) reveal that he is well acquainted with the same. He informs us that a person under divine possession received divine utterances accompanied with visions not understood by the receiver and therefore needed interpreters. Some engaged in prayer began to utter inspired utterances accompanied by physical healing to some persons present. He also refers to the maidens of the Dionysian cult and the
Corybantian revellers who made ecstatic sounds. Virgil (70-19BC) tells us that the Sibylline priestess when (in prayer) her spirit was united with the god Apollo she spoke with tongues sometimes incoherent and ecstatic. There is good reason to believe that among the many mystery religions in the Graeco-Roman world the phenomena of speaking in tongues (lalein glosais) in its ecstatic form was not unknown. Gerhard Kittle tells us, ‘The unintelligible lists of magical names and letters in the magic pap (voces mystical) , which are used in the invoking and conjuring of gods and spirits, may also be analogous to this obscure and meaningless speaking with tongues. With these mystical divine names, etc., in which there are echoes of all the various oriental languages, we may certainly couple the view that they derive from supraterrestrial tongues used by the gods and spirits in heaven, each class having its peculiar phone or dialektos”.
(Dr.Olsen was a historian in Church history and in the footnotes of these statements he refers to the various resources he has used.)
It could well be that the Corinthian Church has been influenced by these mysteries, but we are not sure if that was the case. We will deal with the Corinthian church later in this study.
The usage of Tongues in NT times.
In Strong’s Concordance we do find 33 references to the word tongue in the singular and 27 references in the plural. That gives a total of 60 references.
Not all have the same meaning. 50 references are under number 1100 which is normal tongue in the Greek glossa; by implication a language (especially naturally unacquired) (See “A Critical Lexicon and Concordance” by Bullinger.)
5 are numbered 1258 and refer to tongue as a dialect, language or tongue.
4 are under the number 1447 and are in the meaning of Hebrew Tongue.
1 under number 2084 and relates to the tongue of a foreigner, a person of another tongue
or language.
Where do we find these references in the scriptures?
Under number 1100 we have the singular use in Mark 7:33,35; Luke 1:64;16:24;Acts 2:26; Rom.14:11; 1Cor.14:2,4,9,13,14,19,26,27; Phil.2:11;James 1:26;3:5,6,6,8; 1Peter 3:10; 1John 3:18; Rev.5:9;14:6.
In the plural the following: Mark 16:17; Acts2:3,4,11; 10:46; 19:6; Rom.3:13; 1Cor12:10,10,28,30;13:1,8;14:5,5,6,18,22,23,39; Rev.7:9; 10:11; 11:9; 13:7; 16:10; 17:15.
The 5 under number 1258 can be found in Acts 1:19; 2:8; 21:40; 22:2; 26:14 and these are all in the singular
The 4 under number 1447 are in John 5:2; Rev.9:11, 11; 16:16; and also in singular.
The 1 under nr.2084 but in the plural is found in 1Cor.14:21;
How is tongue or glossa used in these references?
Is there any trace to find or the slightest indication which would support a charismatic modern Pentecostal use of tongue speaking?
The one under nr.2084, tongues in the plural, Greek heteroglossos in 1Cor.14:21 refers clearly to foreigners, people speaking a different language. We will say more when later we will deal with 1Cor.14 separately
.
The four under 1447, Greek hebraisti, refers to the use of the Hebrew language.
Then we have the five under number 1258 and they refer to the speaking of a dialect spoken by people from a certain province. Greek dialektos (See “A Critical Lexicon and Concordance”, section under tongue nr.2)
In all these ten cases nothing indicates something which would support a charismatic modern Pentecostal use of the tongue as evidence of being baptized by the Holy Spirit.
We will now examine the use of tongue(s) under nr.1100 glossa –singular or glossai plural.
Mark 7:33, 35; 16:17; Luke 1:64; 16:24; Rom.3:13; 14:11; James 1:26; 3:5, 6, 6, 8; 1Peter 3:10; 1John 3:18; Rev.5:9; 7:9; 10:11; 11:19; 13:7: 14:6; 16:10; 17:15.
All these texts clearly indicate that the tongue spoken of is the organ of the physical body. Nothing like usage in a charismatic modern Pentecostal manner
.
In Phil.2:11 tongue is used in a personified manner “every tongue (person,JTK) should confess….”
The remaining texts are in the book of Acts and 1Cor.12-14 and need some closer examination.
We will start with Acts 2:3, 4, 11, and 26.
In verse 3 something appeared like cloven tongues. This is clearly symbolic for the apostles having been filled with the Holy Spirit, these tongues did not speak. The apostles using their physical tongue did the speaking later in clearly understandable language.
In verse 4 the apostles are found to speak in other tongues. The people who heard them made it very clear in verse 11 “we do hear them speak in our tongues (language,JTK) the wonderful works of God”. Empowered by and filled with the Holy Spirit they became suddenly equipped with the gift of speaking in a foreign language other than their own.
Where we have to go to a language school, most likely was not readily available in their time,the Holy Spirit was able to do in the fraction of a moment what normally would have taken years of learning and practice.
The use of tongue in Acts 2:26 again refer clearly to the physical body organ for communicating. It was David’s tongue which he used to express his gladness.
The next one is in Acts 10:46. After Peter’s talk to Cornelius explaining the good news which came through Israel re Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all (Acts 10:36) and even while he was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard him speaking (Acts 10:44).
Then they heard them speaking with tongues and magnify God (verse 46).The people present heard them speaking their tongue or language.
What is the meaning of tongues in this case?
The NIV places a footnote which reads: or other languages
Goodspeed translation reads: speaking in foreign languages and declaring the greatness of God
The 17th century Dutch translation reads: they heard them speak in foreign languages.
God’s Word (a modern translation) reads; they heard these non Jewish people speaking in other languages
However using a modern translation we have to take care because some tend to be more interpretations than translations.
For instance the NEB reads “for they could hear them speak in tongues of ecstasy. Ecstasy is an interpretation of tongues which is difficult to maintain based upon the original Greek word for tongue glossa. It looks like that the NEB tries to support modern day Pentecostalism.
The NLT which is a paraphrased Bible still reads plainly they heard them speaking in tongues. (Languages JTK)
In conclusion to Acts 10:46 a number of Bibles with margin references and also by Acts 2:4; 19:6, refer to Mark 16:17. We do find this in the KJV, the NASB and the German Lutheran Bible.
With confidence we may say that the people in Acts 10:46 had the same gift bestowed upon them as the apostles received on the day of Pentecost. They became equipped to be able to give the good news to people speaking another language then they themselves did.
At this point we like to bring in a statement from the late Dr.Gerhard Hasel in regard to
Acts 10:46.
The gift of tongues signifies that both Gentiles and Jewish Christians share alike in the task of evangelizing the world. Both have also been endowed with the same spiritual gift which breaks down the language barrier and makes possible fluent communication of the Good News among all men. (Speaking in Tongues, p.94)
The last text in Acts is Acts 19:6. Here we have the same Greek word glossais as in Acts 2:4; 10:46 and also in Mark 16:17. Logic and consistency requires treating Acts 19:6 as Acts 10:46.
Some translations have done the same as they did with Acts 10:46 adding to it other or
foreign and even ecstatic. These additions are not in the Greek, but impressions of the translators. The Greek states plainly glossais which, when properly translated, indicates
tongues (languages JTK). The NIV has here also a footnote reading other languages.
The context informs us that Paul upon arriving in Ephesus found people who said
We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost Acts 19:2. They had been baptized according to John’s baptism. Paul then gave them additional spiritual information and knowledge regarding Jesus Christ. They accepted this from Paul and were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Ib.vs.5 The Holy Ghost came on them and the twelve gave evidence of this by speaking in tongues. They had become empowered to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with people speaking a different language than their own natural language.
There is nothing in this event which gives proof that they became engaged in a form of tongue speaking as is practiced by modern day Pentecostalism.
The following commentary of Matthew Henry is may be of interest to the reader:
This was intended to introduce the gospel at Ephesus, and to awaken in the minds of men an expectation of some greater things from it; and some think that it was further designed to qualify these twelve men for the work of the ministry, and that these twelve were the elders of Ephesus, to whom Paul committed the care and the government of that church.
(Matthew Henry vl.VI p.245)
SDABC vl.6, p.137 states the same that the ability to speak foreign languages was a gift given to the disciples for the special purpose of carrying the gospel message into all the world.
Those of you interested in what Ellen G.White has to say regarding this matter, we found the following statement in RH Aug.31, 1911 and quoted in SDABC vl.6 p.373 Thus they were qualified to labour as missionaries in Ephesus and its vicinity, and also to go forth to proclaim the gospel in Asia Minor.
We like to mention that not everyone being baptized and receiving the Holy Spirit is spoken of speaking in tongues. The 3000 in Acts 2:41 were baptized after receiving gladly the Word, but we do not read that all of them started to speak in tongues.
The Ethiopian in Acts 8:38-39 was baptized and went his way rejoicing. Paul in Acts 9:17, 18 was baptized, but not one word that he started to speak in tongues. Paul would have been a very appropriate candidate to receive the gift of speaking in tongues, because of his mandate to be the apostle to the gentiles. (Acts 26:17; Rom.11:13) We have no record anywhere which indicates that Paul had this gift from the Holy Spirit after his baptism. We read this in other cases like in Acts 10:45. 46 and in 19:5, 6, but this was not the case when Paul was baptised. Go to Acts 9:17-20.Pul preached Christ after his baptism but no word that he spoke in tongues. Read more by 1 Cor.14:18 here below.
Lydia in Acts 16:15 was baptized but no word that she started to speak in tongues. Same with the jailor in Acts 16:33, baptized with his family but no report that he or his family started to speak in tongues.
What we have examined so far from the OT and the NT gives us no reason or clue that the gift of speaking in tongues, in one form or another is a must-to-have in order to give evidence that one is baptized with or has received the Holy Spirit.
It remains for us to have a close look at the Corinthian church and what Paul wrote to the members of that church, in his first epistle, in regard to speaking in tongues.
The chapters 12-14 of first Corinthians are usually used as the main information to support modern day speaking in tongues in Pentecostalism, particularly in chapter 14.
Dr.Gerhard Hasel spends 45 pages to deal with these chapters in his book SPEAKING IN TONGUES. This book is issued by the Adventist Theological Society. The reader of this study should make an effort to obtain that book. We will not go that far, this study will be for about 50% about 1Cor.12-14.
As we have discovered and stated before the Biblical text and in particular the book of Acts have nothing on record which supports modern day speaking in tongues in Pentecostalism or making it the ultimate evidence to show that one has been baptized by the Holy Spirit..
The eminent church historian, the late Dr.V.Norskov Olsen, writes in the 1973 issued Special Committee Report on the Charismatic Movement, on page 2 regarding an Apogryphal Acts of the Apostles. It is from the Second Century. Dr.Olsen’s evaluation of these documents is as follows:
While they must be considered as fiction in religion, they do reflect certain concepts and types of Christian beliefs. However, there are no indications in these writings that the apostles had learned to speak a foreign language in an extra ordinary way through a special gift of the Holy Spirit or gave ecstatic utterances in unknown tongues.
In Acts of John, the apostle gives a list of the ‘powers’ given by God, but the gift of tongues is not mentioned.
Dr.Olsen mention also an Apocryphal called the Acts of Thomas. The book tells about a story of Thomas attending a wedding ceremony in India. During that wedding Thomas spoke in Hebrew which the people did not understand. Then follows this statement by Dr.Olsen: In the rest of the book there is no clue to whether or not Thomas learned to speak the Indian language or not. In the Acts of John and Thomas subject matter could have led to a discussion of the gift of tongues, if that gift had been known. ibid.
This information calls us to be cautious how we treat the matter of speaking in tongues in the first Epistle of Paul to the Corinthian Church. However having said this we must also keep in mind that the Corinthian Church was not without serious problems or irregularities of some sort.
We will mention some before we deal with chapters 12-14.
The apostle Paul starts in chapter 1 with some good and commendable things that were present in the Corinthian Church.
Vs. 2 they are sanctified in Christ and called saints.
Vs. 5 they are enriched in Christ in all utterances and knowledge.
Vs. 6 even the Testimony of Christ (Rev.19:10) was confirmed in them.
Vs. 7 not coming behind in any gift. Does this include the gift of speaking in tongues?
But then as from vs.10 he turns the coin around and shows the other side of the Corinthian Church.:
That ye all speak the same thing, apparently they didn’t
That there be no divisions among you, apparently there were divisions among them.
That ye be perfectly joined together, apparently they were not.
In verse 11 he speaks about that there are contentions among you The NASB reads here there are quarrels among you, and TCNT reads that party feelings exists among you
From verse 3 we learn what kind of party feelings. They had grouped under different persons, like Paul, Apollos, Cephas and Christ.
In chapter 3 Paul deals with their spiritual weakness:
Vs.1 I could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ NASB reads as to infants in Christ.
Vs.3&4, he mentions that there is strife, envy and division among you, for that reason he says are ye not carnal and walk as men, margin according to man
In chapter 5 Paul touches on their moral behaviour. Fornication was among them worse than among the gentiles.
In chapter 6 he talks about a case where one brother takes another one to civil court, instead of sorting the problem out among them.
In chapter 11 as from verse 17 he deals with irregularities in re to the Lord’s Supper and divisions and heresies among them see vs.17-19.
While Paul calls the members of the Corinthian Church saints in their behaviour they did not act very saintly. Could it be that there was also unsaintly behaviour in regard to the gift of speaking in tongues?
Chapters 12-14 may reveal a certain answer to this question.
Ch.12 deals with spiritual gifts and positions in the church.
Ch.13 excellent exposition regarding true love, more important than speaking in tongues
Ch.14 speaking in tongues and how it should be used properly.
We start with chapter 12.
This chapter contains a listing of spiritual gifts and positions in the church, vs.4-12 & 28-30. But this is not the only listing of gifts. There is also Rom.12:4-8. Here we find a listing of different ministries, but the ministry of speaking in tongues is not mentioned. In the Biblical line up we may call this one in Rom.12 the first listing.
.
The second listing by Paul is in 1 Cor.12:4-12. In vs.10 tongues are mentioned. The literal Greek reads: to another kinds of tongues and to another the interpretation of tongues.
To make the meaning of “kinds” clearer some translations have added a word
:KJV divers kinds; NKJV different kinds; NIV to speak in different kinds; NASB various kinds.
Kinds is from the Greek word genos and carries the meaning of races ,descent, class, sort It is clear from this Greek word study that this kinds of tongues relates to human beings and not to emotional ecstatic utterances of sound from the mouth.
Paul mentions in his listings also the gift of interpretations of tongues. Some in those days as in ours today are gifted in speaking a foreign language and others are gifted in translating a foreign language. Speaking a foreign language doesn’t make that person gifted in translating that language. I know that from experience.
The third listing is found in the latter part of 1Cor.12:28-31. In vs.28 Paul lists as last diversities of tongues.
Remember Paul writes that God has set in the church a variety of offices or ministries performed by some members of the church. The Greek here reads geny glosson same as in vs.10 and should be treated same as in vs. 10. But here again Bible translations do differ:
KJV reads plainly diversities of tongues
NKJV varieties of tongues
NIV those speaking in different tongues
NASB various kinds of tongues
The German translation by Martin Luther and three Dutch translations read variety of languages (in German sprachen). Natural languages, no ecstatic utterances
Some other translations tend to give it the meaning of spiritual languages ecstatic utterances. We find this in NEB, Charles Williams; also in a modern Dutch translation by Prof.Brouwer. There may be more. Such translations are more interpretations than translations provided by the translator according his theological understanding.
The fourth and last listing in Paul’s epistles is found in Ephesus 4:11-13. But not one word about the gift of speaking in tongues or the interpretations of tongues. Paul does give clear information re the purpose of gifts and ministries in the church. It is for
Perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ,
(Eph.4:12)
An unintelligent ecstatic utterance of ‘sound’ from the mouth can hardly be called a divine gift for the perfecting of the saints or to assist in the ministry or to edify the body of Christ.
After examining these four listings we must conclude that the gift of speaking in tongues
is not of such an importance that it finds its place in all four listings. We do not find it in Romans 12:4-8 and not in Eph.4:11-13. Only in the listings of 1Cor.12:.4-12 & 28-31.
Is this because of certain problems re this issue in the Corinthian church? Was there an overemphasis in the Corinthian church in regard to the gift of speaking in tongues? In preparation for what Paul has in mind to write in chapter 14, is he preparing the church members for the fact that these gifts are God given through the Holy Spirit?
The Greek word genos (KJV kinds/diversities) in vs. 10 and in vs. 28 points into the direction of people’s languages and not unintelligible ecstatic utterances. Also we have to
conclude that different gifts are for different people. Not all are endowed with the same gift, which means that not all in the church have to have the gift of speaking in tongues.
In other words not all members of the church have to give evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit by way of speaking in ‘tongues’ as the modern charismatic Pentecostal movement tries to get across and urging people to believe.
Before Paul gets into the topic of speaking in tongues deeper, he leads the readers of his epistle into another more important topic and that of the meaning of love which touches on the spiritual experience of everybody in the church.
We enter now into chapter 13
Reading this chapter carefully we conclude that Paul is dealing with agape love. It is the real divine love from a deep Christian, spiritual salvation experience. Also that it doesn’t matter what kind of gift or position in the church we have without this agape love/charity
it all means nothing and the person is reduced to nothing, see vs.2.
What is more, it is worth noting that in the beginning of this chapter when Paul writes though I speak with the tongues of men, he does not say though I speak with tongues, but he qualifies it by adding of men indicating normal man’s language. We better keep that in mind when we go into chapter 14.
Chapter 14
We like to suggest that the main thrust of Paul in chapter 14 is that all things be done to edify the church not the person self who is endowed with a gift, in this case the gift of
speaking in tongues. See 1Cor.14:3, 4, 4, 5,12,17,26. Seven times Paul refers to this word of edifying or edify. He does the same as for the members of the church of Ephesus in
4:12 it is all for the edifying of the body of Christ.
Another thing we have noticed is that whereas Paul out of four listings of gifts and church ministries only in two listings, and that is in 1Cor.12, he mentions the gift of speaking in tongues. But the gift to prophecy or being a prophet is mention 4 xs, in all four listings.
Paul closes chapter 14 with the words covet to prophecy and forbid not to speak in tongues. The first is receiving preference over the latter.
The gift to prophecy is ranking higher in Paul’s mind. Prophesying is to be understood in its widest meaning of the word, not just talking about a future event.
The emphasis on the gift to prophecy is already noticeable in the vs.1 of 1Cor.14 There may be a desire for spiritual gifts but I have rather that ye may prophecy. So at the beginning and the end, vs.39 of chapter 14 Paul is very keen to underline the importance of the gift to prophecy. May we see here a connection with what Paul writes in chapter 1 of 1Corinthians.We read in vs.6 that even the Testimony of Christ was confirmed in you. When we ask for explanation what the Testimony of Christ is, we refer to Rev.19:10, same as we do for Rev.12:17 If somebody has problems with this point check the book PROBLEMS IN BIBLE TRANSLATION pp.244-256
In his introductory remarks of 1 Corinthians 1 Paul does not say one word about the gift of tongues, unless somebody likes to relate the word utterance (1:5) or speech as in NASB to the gift of tongues. But that would be a bit far fetched in my opinion. Because the Greek word in that verse is logos and we are all familiar with that word.
We conclude from Paul’s writings regarding tongues in chapter14, that something had gone wrong among the Corinthians and moved into the extreme.
In one way or another Paul mentions the word tongues 15 times 1Cor.14:2, 4, 5, 5, 6, 9, 13, 14, 18, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 39.
Before we enter into a section by section discussion of this chapter we like to notice that Paul has a very strong burden that all things are done in the church orderly, with understanding and for the edifying of the church. No confusion should take place
1Cor.14:2 If a person speaks in a certain (difficult JTK, unknown in KJV) tongue, only God understands, he speaks in mysteries. The Greek uses only the word glosse no qualifying word to indicate what kind of tongue. But because it says further that he speaks but to God and not to men it must be something foreign to humans. But it is not edifying to the church while the one who does prophesy edifies the church.
This is made clear again in verse 4, does it benefit or edify the church, that’s what counts in Paul’s understanding.
Again in verse 5 it is prophesying versus speaking in tongues, unless it receives interpretation and all understand and are edified.
In verse 9 let words easy to be understood used in order that all know what is spoken. Again the unknown is a worry to Paul and may create confusion.
Vs.11 if it is unknown Paul says the person may be compared to a Barbarian (foreigner)
Vs.13-15 if not understood by the people let it be interpreted. We should not only talk or pray with the spirit but with understanding as well.
Vs.16 if not understood nobody will say Amen as an expression of agreement, because it is not understood.
For verses 17 and 18 read here below.
Vs.19 five words spoken with understanding are better than 10.000 in an unknown tongue.
Vs.20 be mature, do not act like children.
Vs 22 difference again between tongues and prophesying.
Vs.23 if an unbeliever enters the church and notice this disorderly behaviour of speaking in an unknown tongue/language, he may conclude you are all mad.
Vs.27 if still an unknown tongue needs to be used let it be done by a few and be interpreted.
Vs.39, 40 Paul still prefers to prophesy but to speak in tongues should not be forbidden as long as everything is done decently and in order. According to vs.37 Paul adds that these words are the commandments of the Lord.
What we have discovered so far from 1 Cor.14 is not in favour of what we find in the charismatic/Pentecostal churches. It even discourages strongly that kind of spiritually confusing behaviour.
Let’s now see what we can learn from 1 Cor.14 when we take it section by section.
a. vs.1-5 Paul compares here the gift to prophesy with speaking in a tongue people do not understand unless it receives interpretation. To prophesy is placed above speaking in tongues, greater is he or except he interprets.
Paul seems to leave the door open for somebody to speak in an unknown tongue,
but must provide interpretation at the same time. If I would speak some words in
my mother tongue Dutch or say something from Africa in Kiswahili I must
provide interpretation at the same time otherwise it would be no use to the
hearers.
b. vs. 6-17 In this section Paul makes it clear again, with strong emphasis, that
speaking in a tongue which is not understood by the believers is of no use. He
takes the example of a trumpet giving a wrong sound, but which is good to
nobody. No one will prepare for the battle, vs.8
So it is with speaking in an unknown tongue, no one will receive a blessing,
or respond properly to the message
c.. vs.18, 19 Here Paul takes himself as an example and that he speaks with
languages/tongues more than ye all. The Greek word used here is from glossa
which relates to “languages”. As an itinerating missionary he may
have become acquainted with a number of languages but it would not be wise
to use them in places where they are not understood
As a scholar he also may have learned languages like Hebrew, Greek and the
Roman language because he was a Roman citizen by birth, Acts 22:22-30. In Acts 21:49 he addresses the people in Hebrew, but he wrote his epistles in Greek language. In my home country, Holland I learned three foreign languages apart from my country language, Dutch. Later in Africa I became acquainted with Swahili in East Africa.
d. vs.20-28 Again the emphasis is on order, for the edification of the church and a
sign to the unbeliever that God is in you of a truth (25)or according to the ASV declaring that God is among you indeed . I have come across cases in my ministry where the public evangelist delivering God’s message of salvation in English and some listeners hearing it in their mother tongue. That became a sign that God was working in such a meeting
e. vs.29-35 Again Paul tries to get his point across regarding all things to be done in order and no confusion to take place. In vs.35, 36 he throws in the matter of women speaking in church. Apparently there was a disorderly behaviour in that respect as well. Paul is not showing an anti-women attitude. That is clear from scripture passages where Paul speaks very highly about the ministry of women.
But again order in the house of God is his burden. Vs.33 for God is not author of confusion or as Moffatt translates it for God is a God not of disorder but of harmony.
f. vs.36-40 These are Paul’s closing remarks underlining that what he has written
is not his private opinion but are the commandments of the Lord. In this day and age we should keep that in mind as well. We are dealing with the Word of the Lord and not any human mind or opinion. Paul is not reflecting the culture of that time. God is above culture and time. But if anybody does not want to pay attention vs.38, remain ignorant of it, let it be. If you are ignorant of this stay in
your ignorance. This is for people who wilfully do not want to hear of it. “The God’s Word” translation reads: but whoever ignores what I write should be ignored.
Then follows in vs.39 what is discussed before that Paul recommends to covet
to prophesy but speaking in tongues not to be forbidden. Again in vs.40 let all things be done decently and in order.
This is Paul’s main thrust throughout 1 Cor.14 order and decency, no confusion, but let it all be of an edifying nature to all who are present, believers and unbelievers.’
Conclusion of this study.
Nowhere in the scriptures OT or in particularly in NT or in Paul’s writings do we find any reference or encouragement to practice modern day charismatic Pentecostal Movement use of tongue speaking as a sign of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
The real fruit of the Spirit, evidence that we have been filled with the Holy Spirit for all believers is found in Gal.5:22, 23 May that be the sign of evidence that we are Spirit filled followers of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.
no comments