THE GIFTED - PART NINE

T O N G U E S &

I N T E R P R E T A T I O N

1 Corinthians 12:4–11 (ESV)

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

In order to best understand the gift of tongues and interpretation of tongues, we need to make some distinctions using some Greek words.

Glossolalia - from the Greek phrase glossais lalein, which literally means, “in tongues to speak.” It comes from two Greek words. Glossa means “tongue” and lalia means “speaking.”

Xenolalia - This comes from the Greek words xenos (“foreign”) and lalia (speaking). This is the term used to refer to a foreign language.

Xenoglossy - This literally means “strange language.”

By definition, the gift of speak in tongues as given by the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12 would be considered as xenolalia. In order to arrive at that conclusion, we have to look at the context. We can also see how this came about in Acts 2.

Acts 2:1–4 (ESV)

1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The Spirit gave the utterance. That’s important to note, because we see that it arrived as a gift of the Spirit as a result of their faith, expecting the promise of Jesus to be revealed.

Acts 2:5–7 (ESV)

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?

This demonstrates an ability to speak a natural language without it being known to them through learning. They were able to speak a foreign language fluently as the Spirit gave them utterance.

That’s speaking in tongues, but they weren’t necessarily praying. They were praising.

Acts 2:8–11 (ESV)

8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”

They were declaring God’s work to each other. Let’s apply this to what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12. What’s happening there?

What’s important about this is understanding what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14 about speaking in tongues. It’s a lot, but we have to get this right. Many are led astray for lack of knowledge and understanding, so it’s important that you are able to understand it and explain it.

1 Corinthians 14:2–19 (ESV)

2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

6 Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 7 If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? 8 And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? 9 So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, 11 but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. 12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.

13 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. 16 Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up. 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Let’s start by talking about xenolalia and xenoglossy. It’s all from the Spirit. In Acts 2, we see xenoglossy. Xenolalia is what we see in 1 Corinthians 12 and then some in 1 Corinthians 14, but Paul also touches on glossolalia in 1 Corinthians 12.

So we have to follow the thought process here. When we speak in tongues, we edify ourselves. That is confirmed in Jude.

Jude 20–21 (ESV)

20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

It doesn’t edify anyone but ourselves when we pray in tongues, but we need personal edification. That means that praying in tongues is a good thing. There are scientific studies that prove the benefits of praying in tongues. A 2006 New York Times article showed that those who engage in the practice regularly are more emotionally stable and and rarely suffer from mental problems.

Paul talks about this throughout 1 Corinthians 14. He makes the distinction between praying in tongues and building yourself and speaking in tongues in a corporate setting. Speaking in a foreign tongue requires interpretation for it to be applicable to its audience. This is why Paul is adamant that the one who prophesies is more effective than the one who speaks in tongues unless someone interprets. That’s because an interpreter allows for the church to be edified and for God to be glorified. Tongues and interpretation are a sign of God’s love and His power.

1 Corinthians 14:22 (ESV)

22 Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.

What about when we speak in tongues in a prayer meeting? Where does that fit? It’s still praying in tongues, which is a language that the Spirit uses to pray through you. In those instances, you can pray the perfect will of God in agreement by the same Spirit and enhance a prayer time. It’s a supply of the Spirit that you bring to those times that contributes to the overall manifestation of the power of God.

When you pray in tongues, you allow the Holy Spirit to pray perfectly through you. You may not know what to pray or how to pray. That’s okay. He knows. Let Him say it through the authority of your voice. Your words have power, so when you yield your tongue to the Spirit, you use spiritual authority to declare the will of God be done. Even if your mind doesn’t know that perfect will of God, you are able to accomplish it through your voice when you allow the Spirit to speak it through you.

I often pray in tongues when I’m praying for someone’s healing. I may not know a diagnosis or the cause of an issue, but the Holy Spirit does. I can yield my tongue to Him to speak life to bodies and believe that it’s speaking the perfect healing power of God to issues that may not be known in the natural.

Tonight, I believe we will see the Lord use these gifts for His glory and our good.

Let’s make room for the Spirit to fill us and speak through us. Whether it’s praying mysteries or it’s for the edification of the whole church in partnership with the gift of interpretation, I believe that the Spirit desires to show His power and love to us tonight.