All About Tongues

Last time we talked about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and tongues as the initial physical evidence.

This time we will be talking about the other types and applications for tongues.

According to Paul, there are various types of tongues:

1 Corinthians 12:10 NASB95

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.

Here are several of the tongues mentioned in scripture:

1. Tongues is the Initial, Physical Evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

See our previous handout for more information on this one.

2. Tongues that Others can Understand

Acts 2:1–6 NASB95

1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. 5 Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language.

The speakers did not understand, but the hearers did.

3. Tongues for God Alone

1 Corinthians 14:2 NASB95

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.

1 Corinthians 14:18–19 NASB95

18 I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; 19 however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

This is often referred to as our “prayer language.”

This is also the type of tongue application that Paul says edifies the one who speaks, but no one else:

1 Corinthians 14:4 NASB95

4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.

This type of tongue is not intended for interpretation, yet there is a benefit that the one speaking is edified.

This is also the kind of tongues mentioned in Romans 8:26.

Romans 8:26 NASB95

26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;

Sometimes, we aren’t sure what to pray, so we pray in the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 14:14–15 NASB95

14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.

So this type of tongues is not a replacement for understood prayers, but a supplement to it.

Mention Paul’s minor mention of singing in tongues or singing in the spirit in the above verse, which lends to the idea that tongues doesn’t always fit into a neat theological box. He didn’t give us instruction on when to use singing in the spirit, yet mentions that he himself does it.

One issue happens when we take this type of prayer and put it into application in the congregation. It causes confusion:

1 Corinthians 14:22–28 NASB95

22 So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe. 23 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? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted 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. 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. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; 28 but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.

4. Tongues for Interpretation

1 Corinthians 14:12–13 NASB95

12 So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church. 13 Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

1 Corinthians 14:27–28 NASB95

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

5. Tongues of “Men and Angels”

1 Corinthians 13:1 NASB95

1 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.

2 Corinthians 12:4 NASB95

4 was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.

There is not much said in scripture as to whether this is a literary expression or if it is a legitimate type of tongues like the others mentioned here.

Much like “singing in the spirit” as mentioned in 1 Cor. 14:15, there is no instruction given to this type of tongue.

What is important when it comes to tongues is that we follow the prescription of scripture in the use of tongues to avoid the error of either diminishing tongues and despising the gift, or glorifying tongues to the point where it causes confusion.

Some Practicals

1. My rule of thumb: if it is with the body it should be for the body.

1 Corinthians 14:19 NASB95

19 however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

1 Corinthians 14:28 NASB95

28 but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.

Notice he doesn’t condemn the use of tongues, but says to do it silently between you and God unless it is for interpretation.

The point is, don’t make a spectacle of the gift.

2. You should pray that you may interpret

1 Corinthians 14:13 NASB95

13 Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

3. God won’t force you to speak

1 Corinthians 14:32 NASB95

32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;

4. There is spiritual benefit to both the participator and the listener of spiritual gifts

1 Corinthians 14:31 NASB95

31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;

1 Corinthians 14:3–4 NASB95

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.

1 Corinthians 14:26 NASB95

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.

5. God is not confused

1 Corinthians 14:33 NASB95

33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

If the use of the gift causes confusion or dismay, it is not from God.

6. Discernment is needed with the gifts

1 Corinthians 14:29 NASB95

29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment.

It’s the congregation’s responsibility to determine if that was from God or if that person was caught up in emotion.

7. We should not forbid speaking in tongues

1 Corinthians 14:39 NASB95

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

8. Everything should be done in order

1 Corinthians 14:40 NASB95

40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.