The Gifts of the Holy Spirit (12)

LESSON 11: THE GIFT OF INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES

INTRODUCTION

The gift of interpretation of tongues is the supernatural ability given by the Holy Spirit to make known the meaning of an utterance spoken in an unknown tongue. It is not learned, studied, or reasoned—it is revealed.

“The gift of interpretation of tongues is a supernatural showing forth by the Spirit the meaning of an utterance spoken in a language which the speaker does not understand.” — Howard Carter, Questions and Answers on Spiritual Gifts, p. 54

This gift functions primarily in the corporate assembly and is inseparably linked to the gift of various kinds of tongues. Together, these two gifts serve the same purpose as prophecy—the edification of the Church (1 Corinthians 14:5).

1. THE PURPOSE OF THE GIFT OF INTERPRETATION

The primary purpose of this gift is to render intelligible a message given by the Spirit through tongues so that the Church may receive instruction, exhortation, or comfort from Christ.

📖 1 Corinthians 14:13 (NKJV)

“Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.”

Without interpretation, a public message in tongues does not profit the congregation. With interpretation, the message becomes a direct utterance from God to His people.

“God never intended tongues in public worship to be mysterious to the Church. Interpretation brings divine order and understanding.” — Kenneth E. Hagin, The Spirit and His Gifts, p. 92

2. THE BODY MINISTRY FUNCTION: EDIFICATION OF THE CHURCH

The gift of interpretation of tongues is a body gift, not a private devotional function. It exists to strengthen the whole assembly.

📖 1 Corinthians 14:4 (NKJV)

“He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.”

📖 1 Corinthians 14:27–28 (NKJV)

“If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.”

When tongues and interpretation operate together, the result is corporate edification, unity, and spiritual clarity.

“Tongues plus interpretation equals prophecy in result, though not identical in operation.” — Howard Carter, Questions and Answers on Spiritual Gifts, p. 61

3. THIS GIFT EXALTS THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

Like all manifestations of the Spirit, interpretation of tongues glorifies Christ and magnifies His Lordship.

📖 John 16:14 (NKJV)

“He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.”

On the Day of Pentecost, tongues caused amazement and confusion among unbelievers, but it was Peter’s Spirit-inspired explanation that brought conviction and conversion (Acts 2:6–41). Likewise, interpretation today can confront unbelief and reveal the reality of God’s presence.

“Spiritual gifts are divine signs that point men to Jesus—not to human ability.” — Rodney Howard-Browne, The Gifts of the Holy Spirit, p. 118

4. INTERPRETATION IS NOT TRANSLATION

Interpretation is not a word-for-word translation. The Holy Spirit conveys the meaning, not the grammar.

A long tongue may have a short interpretation

A short tongue may have a long interpretation

📖 1 Corinthians 12:10 (NKJV)

“to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.”

“Interpretation gives the sense of what is spoken, not the vocabulary.” — Donald Gee, Concerning Spiritual Gifts, p. 84

5. A SUPERNATURAL OPERATION—NOT HUMAN REASONING

This gift does not function through intellectual understanding or linguistic knowledge. The interpreter does not understand the language being spoken.

📖 1 Corinthians 2:13 (NKJV)

“These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”

The Holy Spirit uses the mind as an instrument, but the source is the spirit.

“The human mind is the channel, but the Holy Spirit is the communicator.” — Kenneth E. Hagin, Understanding the Anointing, p. 147

6. WHEN TONGUES ARE GIVEN WITHOUT INTERPRETATION

If a public tongue is given and no interpretation follows, it may be because:

No interpreter is present

The utterance was vertical (magnifying God, not addressing the body)

📖 1 Corinthians 14:2 (NKJV)

“For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God…”

There are also documented cases where tongues were spoken in a known earthly language unknown to the speaker.

7. INTERPRETATION THROUGH WORDS OR VISIONS

Interpretation may come:

As spoken words

As a vision or mental picture that unfolds verbally

📖 Acts 2:17 (NKJV)

“Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy… your young men shall see visions…”

8. THE FLOW OF INTERPRETATION

Often, the interpreter receives:

One or two words initially

The rest unfolds as obedience is exercised

The message flows from the spirit, not premeditated thought.

📖 Romans 8:14 (NKJV)

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”

9. HISTORICAL ILLUSTRATION: Lester Sumrall

Receiving the Gift

“I believed every pastor should have the gift of interpretation of tongues. I did not have it. But when I stepped into obedience, the gift was born instantly in my spirit.” — Lester Sumrall, Gifts and Ministries of the Holy Spirit, p. 103

Sumrall testified that the gift came at the moment of need, confirming that spiritual gifts are weapons of divine warfare, not trophies of maturity.

📖 2 Corinthians 10:4 (NKJV)

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God…”

A Persian Conversion in Washington, D.C.

Lester Summeral- A tremendous illustration of the fruit of this gifts took place when I preached in Washington D.C. . After my sermon, there was a message in tongues and a brother interpreted it. When they had finished, a young man from the back of the building walked to the front and spoke a foreign language to the one who gave the message. The brother answered, “I’m sorry sir, I do not understand any other language. I am a car salesman here in Washington. “ The man replied, “But you spoke my language beautifully. I am a Persain and I am here selling Persian carpets and you spoke my language and told me that I must get right with God and that I must find God now.” The brother answered, “No that was the Spirit that spoke to you and it was God. It was not me.”

I stood there while this young man knelt at the alter and gave His heart to the Lord Jesus Chris” — Lester Sumrall, Gifts and Ministries of the Holy Spirit, p. 109

The man knelt at the altar and surrendered his life to Jesus Christ—clear evidence that interpretation of tongues can function as a miraculous sign to unbelievers.

📖 1 Corinthians 14:24–25 (NKJV)

“…he is convinced by all… and thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God…”

CONCLUSION

The gift of interpretation of tongues is a vital expression of divine order in Spirit-filled worship. It reveals Christ, edifies the Church, and confirms the supernatural reality of God’s presence among His people.

“When tongues and interpretation flow properly, heaven speaks clearly on earth.” — Howard Carter, Questions and Answers on Spiritual Gifts, p. 67

This gift reminds us that the Spirit still speaks, the Church is still empowered, and Jesus Christ is still glorified through yielded vessels today.