Reference: Tongues, Gift Of
Easton
granted on the day of Pentecost (Ac 2:4), in fulfilment of a promise Christ had made to his disciples (Mr 16:17). What this gift actually was has been a subject of much discussion. Some have argued that it was merely an outward sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit among the disciples, typifying his manifold gifts, and showing that salvation was to be extended to all nations. But the words of Luke (Ac 2:9) clearly show that the various peoples in Jerusalem at the time of Pentecost did really hear themselves addressed in their own special language with which they were naturally acquainted (comp. Joe 2:28-29).
Among the gifts of the Spirit the apostle enumerates in 1Co 12:10-14:30, "divers kinds of tongues" and the "interpretation of tongues." This "gift" was a different manifestation of the Spirit from that on Pentecost, although it resembled it in many particulars. Tongues were to be "a sign to them that believe not."
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And these signs shall attend those who believe. In my name they shall cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Parthians and Modes and Elamites, and we who dwell in Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
to another, the working of mighty deeds; to another, prophecy; to another, the discerning of spirits; to another, different kinds of tongues; to another, the interpretation of tongues. But all these, the one and the same Spirit makes effectual, distributing to each, respectively, as he wills. read more. For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body, so also is the Christ. For by one Spirit we all were immersed into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and we all have been made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.
Fausets
Mr 16:17; 1/type/anderson'>Ac 2:1-13; 10/46/type/anderson'>10:46; 19/6/type/anderson'>19:6,1 Corinthians 12,14. The Alexandrinus manuscript confirms Mr 16:9-20; The Sinaiticus and Vaticanus manuscripts, omit it; "they shall speak with "new" ("not known before", kainais) tongues"; this promise is not restricted to apostles; "these signs shall follow them that believe." a proof to the unbelieving that believers were under a higher power than mere enthusiasm or imagination. The "rushing mighty wind" on Pentecost is paralleled in Eze 1:24; 37:1-14; 43:2; Ge 1:2; 1Ki 19:11; 2Ch 5:14; Ps 104:3-4. The "tongues like as of fire" in the establishing of the New Testament church answer to Ex 19:18, at the giving of the Old Testament law on Sinai, and Eze 1:4 "a fire enfolding itself"; compare Jer 23:29; Lu 24:32.
They were "cloven" (diamerizomenai), rather distributed to them severally. The disciples were "filled with the Holy Spirit"; as John the Baptist and our Lord (Lu 1:15; 4:1). "They began to speak with "other" (heterais, different from their ordinary) tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." Then "the multitude were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language; and they marveled saying, Behold are not all these which speak Galileans? and how hear we every man in our own tongue wherein we were born, the wonderful works of God?" This proves that as Babel brought as its penalty the confusion of tongues, so the Pentecostal gift of tongues symbolizes the reunion of the scattered nations. Still praise, not teaching, was the invariable use made of the gift. The places where tongues were exercised were just where there was least need of preaching in foreign tongues (1/type/anderson'>Ac 2:1-4; 10/46/type/anderson'>10:46; 19/6/type/anderson'>19:6,1 Corinthians 14).
Tongues were not at their command whenever they pleased to teach those of different languages. The gift came, like prophesying, only in God's way and time (Ac 2:1-18; 10:46; 19:6). No express mention is made of any apostle or evangelist preaching in any tongue save Greek or Hebrew (Aramaic). Probably Paul did so in Lycaonia (Ac 14:11,15; he says (1Co 14:18) "I speak with tongues (the Vaticanus manuscript, but the Sinaiticus and the Alexandrinus manuscripts 'with a tongue') more than ye all." Throughout his long notice of tongues in 1 Corinthians 14 he never alludes to their use for making one's self intelligible to foreigners. This would have been the natural use for him to have urged their possessors to put them to, instead of interrupting church worship at home by their unmeaning display.
Papias (in Eusebius, H. E. iii. 30) says Mark accompanied Peter as an "interpreter," i.e. to express in appropriate language Peter's thought, so that the gift of tongues cannot have been in Papias' view a continuous gift with that apostle. Aramaic Hebrew, Greek, and Latin (the three languages over the cross) were the general media of converse throughout the civilised world, owing to Alexander's empire first, then the Roman. The epistles are all in Greek, not only to Corinth, but to Thessalonica, Philippi, Rome. Ephesus, and Colosse. The term used of "tongues" (apofthengesthai, not only lalein) implies a solemn utterance as of prophets or inspired musicians (Septuagint 1Ch 25:1; Eze 13:9). In the first instance (Acts 2) the tongues were used in doxology; but when teaching followed it was in ordinary language, understood by the Jews, that Peter spoke.
Those who spoke with tongues seemed to beholders as if "full of new wide," namely, excited and enthusiastic (Ac 2:13,15-18), in a state raised out of themselves. Hence, Paul contrasts the being "drunk with wine" with being "filled with the Spirit, speaking in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" (Eph 5:18-19). The ecstatic songs of praise in the Old Testament, poured out by the prophets and their disciples, and the inspired musicians of the sanctuary, correspond (1Sa 10:5-13; 19:20-24; 1Ch 25:3). In 1 Corinthians 12 and 1 Corinthians 14 tongues are placed lowest in the scale of gifts (1Co 12:31; 14:5). Their three characteristics were:
(1) all ecstatic state of comparative rapt unconsciousness, the will being acted on by a power from above;
(2) words uttered, often unintelligible;
(3) languages spoken which ordinarily the speaker could not speak.
They, like prophesyings, were under control of their possessors (1Co 14:32), and needed to be kept in due order, else confusion in church meetings would ensue (1Co 14:23,39). The tongues, as evidencing a divine power raising them above themselves, were valued by Paul; but they suited the childhood (1Co 14:20; 13:11), as prophesying or inspired preaching the manhood, of the Christian life. The possessor of the tongue "spoke mysteries," praying, blessing, and giving thanks, but no one understood him; the "spirit" (pneuma) but not "understanding" (nous) was active (1Co 14:14-19). Yet he might edify himself (1Co 14:4) with a tongue which to bystanders seemed a madman's ravings, but to himself was the expression of ecstatic adoration. "Five words" spoken "with the understanding" so as to "teach others" are preferable to "ten thousand in an unknown tongue."
In Isa 28:9-12 God virtually says of Israel, "this people hear Me not though I speak to them in their familiar tongue, I will therefore speak to them in other tongues, namely, that of the foes whom I will send against them, yet even then they will not hearken to Me." Paul thus applies it: ye see it is a penalty to encouuter men of a strange tongue, yet this you impose on the church by abusing instead of using the tongue intelligibly. Speakers in foreign tongues speak like "children weaned from the milk, with stammering lips," ridiculous because unintelligible to the hearers (Isa 28:14), or like babbling drunkards (Ac 2:13), or madmen (1Co 14:20-23).
Thus, Isaiah (Isa 28:9-14) shows that "tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not." Tongues either awaken to spiritual attention the unconverted or, if despised, condemn (compare "sign" in a condemnatory sense, Eze 4:3-4; Mt 12:39-42), those who, like Israel, reject the sign and the accompanying message; compare Ac 2:8,13; 1Co 14:22; "yet, for all that will they not hear Me," even such miraculous signs fail to arouse them; therefore since they will not understand they shall not understand. "Tongues of men" and "divers kinds of tongues" (1Co 12:10,28; 13:1) imply diversity, which applies certainly to languages, and includes also the kind of tongues which was a spiritual language unknown to man, uttered in ecstasy (1Co 14:2). It was only by "interpreting" that the "understanding" accompanied the tongues.
He who spoke (praying) in a tongue should pray that he might (be able to) interpret for edification of the church (1Co 14:13,26-27). Hebrew and Aramaic words spoken in the spirit or quoted from the Old Testament often produced a more solemn effect upon Greeks than the corresponding Greek terms; Compare 1Co 16:22, Maranatha, 1Co 12:3; Lord of sabaoth, Jas 5:4; Abba, the adoption cry, Ro 8:15; Ga 4:6; Alleluia, Re 19:1,6; Hosannah, Mt 21:9,15. "Tongues of angels" (1Co 13:1) are such as Daniel and John in Revelation heard; and Paul, when caught up to paradise (2Co 12:4).
An intonation in speaking with tongues is implied in Paul's comparison to the tones of the harp and pipe, which however he insists have distinction of sounds, and therefore so ought possessors of tongues to speak intelligibly by interpreting their sense afterward, or after awakening spiritual attention by the mysterious tongue they ought then to follow with "revelation, knowledge, prophesying or doctrine" (1Co 14:6-11); otherwise the speaker with a tongue will be "a barbarian," i.e. a foreigner in language to the hearer. A musical tone would also be likely in uttering hymns and doxologies, which were the subject matter of the utterance by tongues (Ac 2:11). The "groanings which cannot be uttered" (Ro 8:26) and the "melody in the heart" (Eph 5:19) show us how even inarticulate speech like the tongues may edify, though less edifying than articulate and intelligible prophesying or preaching.
Either the speaker with a tongue or a listener might have the gift of interpreting, so he might bring forth deep truths from the seemingly inc
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But he answered and said to them: A wicked and adulterous generation seeks for a sign; and no sign shall be given to it, but the sign of Jonah the prophet. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. read more. Tho men of Nineveh shall rise in the judgment with this generation, and condemn it; for they repented in accordance with the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the south shall rise in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it; for she came from the most distant parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.
And the multitudes that went before, and that followed after, cried, saying: Hosanna to the son of David. Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David, their anger was aroused,
Now when Jesus had risen early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven demons. And she went and told it to those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. read more. And though they heard that he was alive, and had been seen by her, they did not believe. After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they walked and went into the country. And they went and told it to the rest. But they did not believe them. Afterward he appeared to the eleven as they reclined at table; and he reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen him after he had risen. And he said to them: Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is immersed, shall be saved; he that believes not, shall be condemned. And these signs shall attend those who believe. In my name they shall cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;
And these signs shall attend those who believe. In my name they shall cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and, if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. read more. The Lord, therefore, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven: and he sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.
For he shall be great before the Lord; and he shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb.
And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
And they said one to an other, Did not our heart burn within us while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
And when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one consent in one place.
And when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one consent in one place.
And when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one consent in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of a rushing, violent wind, and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting.
And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of a rushing, violent wind, and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting.
And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of a rushing, violent wind, and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues like fire, which distributed them selves, and sat one on each of them.
And there appeared to them tongues like fire, which distributed them selves, and sat one on each of them.
And there appeared to them tongues like fire, which distributed them selves, and sat one on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem devout Jews, from every nation under heaven.
Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem devout Jews, from every nation under heaven. When the report of this had gone abroad, the multitude came together; and they were perplexed, for each one heard them speak in his own language.
When the report of this had gone abroad, the multitude came together; and they were perplexed, for each one heard them speak in his own language. They were amazed and astonished, and said one to another: Are not all these that are speaking, Galileans?
They were amazed and astonished, and said one to another: Are not all these that are speaking, Galileans? And how is it that we hear, every one in our own language in which we were born
And how is it that we hear, every one in our own language in which we were born
And how is it that we hear, every one in our own language in which we were born Parthians and Modes and Elamites, and we who dwell in Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
Parthians and Modes and Elamites, and we who dwell in Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya about Gyrene, Roman residents, Jews and proselytes,
Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya about Gyrene, Roman residents, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians we hear them speaking, in our own tongues, the wonderful works of God?
Cretes and Arabians we hear them speaking, in our own tongues, the wonderful works of God?
Cretes and Arabians we hear them speaking, in our own tongues, the wonderful works of God? And they were all in amazement and doubt, and said, one to another: What can this mean?
And they were all in amazement and doubt, and said, one to another: What can this mean? But others deriding, said: They are full of new wine.
But others deriding, said: They are full of new wine.
But others deriding, said: They are full of new wine.
But others deriding, said: They are full of new wine.
But others deriding, said: They are full of new wine. But Peter standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and said to them: Men of Judea, and all you that dwell in Jerusalem, be this known to you, and give ear to my words. read more. For these men are not drunk, as you suppose: for it is the third hour of the day.
For these men are not drunk, as you suppose: for it is the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel:
But this is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of my Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of my Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. And also on my servants and on my handmaids, I will pour out of my Spirit in those days, and they shall prophesy.
And also on my servants and on my handmaids, I will pour out of my Spirit in those days, and they shall prophesy.
for they heard them speaking with tongues, and magnifying God. Then Peter answered:
for they heard them speaking with tongues, and magnifying God. Then Peter answered:
for they heard them speaking with tongues, and magnifying God. Then Peter answered:
"When the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, and said, in the Carletonian language: The Gods have come down to us in the likeness of men.
and saying: Men, why are you doing these things? We also are human beings, with passions like your own, and we preach the gospel to you, that you may turn from these vanities to the living God, who made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them;
And it came to pass, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, after passing through the upper districts, came to Ephesus, and finding certain disciples,
And it came to pass, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, after passing through the upper districts, came to Ephesus, and finding certain disciples,
And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.
And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.
And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.
For you have not again received the spirit of bondage, that you may fear; but you have received the spirit of adoption, by which we cry, Abba, Father.
In like manner, also, the Spirit helps our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes for us, with groanings unutterable.
For this reason, I make known to you, that no one, speaking by the Spirit of God, calls Jesus accursed: and no one can say that Jesus is Lord, but by the Holy Spirit.
For this reason, I make known to you, that no one, speaking by the Spirit of God, calls Jesus accursed: and no one can say that Jesus is Lord, but by the Holy Spirit.
to another, the working of mighty deeds; to another, prophecy; to another, the discerning of spirits; to another, different kinds of tongues; to another, the interpretation of tongues.
And God has placed some in the church, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then mighty deeds; then gifts of healing; helps, governments, kinds of tongues.
But seek earnestly the best gifts; and yet I show you a more excellent way.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of an gels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of an gels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.
Love never fails; but whether there be gifts of prophecy, they shall have an end; or tongues, they shall cease; or knowledge, it shall have an end.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I had the mind of a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
For he that speaks in an unknown tongue, speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands him: but yet in spirit he speaks mysteries.
He that speaks in an unknown tongue, edifies himself; but he that prophesies, edifies the church. I am willing, indeed, that you should all speak in tongues, but rather that you should prophesy; for greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, in order that the church may receive instruction. read more. Now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, in what will I profit you, unless I speak to you by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophecy, or by teaching? And even lifeless instruments, which produce sound, whether pipe or harp, unless they give a distinction in the notes, how shall that which is piped or harped be known?
And even lifeless instruments, which produce sound, whether pipe or harp, unless they give a distinction in the notes, how shall that which is piped or harped be known? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle? read more. So, also, unless you, with the tongue, utter words that are intelligible, how shall that which is spoken be known? for you will speak into the air. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without meaning. If, then, I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaks a barbarian; and he that speaks will be a barbarian to me.
If, then, I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaks a barbarian; and he that speaks will be a barbarian to me.
For which reason, let him that speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
For which reason, let him that speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, the spirit which I have prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. read more. What, then, is it? I will pray with the spirit which is given to me, and I will pray with my understanding also. I will sing with the spirit that is given to me, and I will sing with my understanding also. Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit that is given to you, how will he that occupies the place of the unlearned man say Amen, when you give thanks, since he understands not what you say? For you give thanks well, but the other is not edified. I thank God that I speak in tongues more than you all.
I thank God that I speak in tongues more than you all. Yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. read more. Brethren, be not children in understanding: yet, in malice, be childlike; but, in understanding, be full-grown men.
Brethren, be not children in understanding: yet, in malice, be childlike; but, in understanding, be full-grown men. In the law it is written: Through men of other tongues and other lips will I speak to this people; and not even thus will they hear me, says the Lord. read more. Therefore, tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to those who believe not: but prophecy is not for those who believe not, but for those who believe. If, then, the whole church come together into the same place, and all speak in tongues, and there come in unlearned men, or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad?
If, then, the whole church come together into the same place, and all speak in tongues, and there come in unlearned men, or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad?
What, then, is it, brethren? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has something to teach, has an unknown tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If any speak in an unknown tongue, let two, or, at most, three, speak at each meeting, and in succession: and let one interpret.
If any speak in an unknown tongue, let two, or, at most, three, speak at each meeting, and in succession: and let one interpret.
and the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets;
Wherefore, brethren, earnestly desire to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
If any one loves not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. The Lord comes.
was caught away to Paradise, and heard words not to be spoken, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
And be not drunk with wine, in which is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped your fields, which has been unjustly withheld by you, cries out: and the cries of those who have reaped, have entered into the ears of the Lord of hosts.
After these things, I heard the great voice of a vast multitude in heaven, saying: Alleluia; Salvation and glory and honor and power to our God:
And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying: Alleluia; for the Lord God the Almighty reigns.
Hastings
TONGUES, GIFT OF
1. In NT we read of 'speaking with tongues' or 'in a tongue' as a remarkable sign of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit; but the exact meaning of the phenomenon described has been much disputed. We may take the passages in the chronological order of writing.
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After a little while, those who stood by came and said to Peter: Of a truth you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Parthians and Modes and Elamites, and we who dwell in Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
Cretes and Arabians we hear them speaking, in our own tongues, the wonderful works of God?
But others deriding, said: They are full of new wine.
for they heard them speaking with tongues, and magnifying God. Then Peter answered:
And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
"When the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, and said, in the Carletonian language: The Gods have come down to us in the likeness of men.
But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the multitude, crying out,
She followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying: These men are the servants of the most High God, who show us the way of salvation.
And he entered the synagogue, and spoke boldly, reasoning, and persuading them for three months, with respect to the things of the kingdom of God.
For you have not again received the spirit of bondage, that you may fear; but you have received the spirit of adoption, by which we cry, Abba, Father.
In like manner, also, the Spirit helps our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes for us, with groanings unutterable.
to another, the working of mighty deeds; to another, prophecy; to another, the discerning of spirits; to another, different kinds of tongues; to another, the interpretation of tongues.
Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
Love never fails; but whether there be gifts of prophecy, they shall have an end; or tongues, they shall cease; or knowledge, it shall have an end.
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, the spirit which I have prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
I thank God that I speak in tongues more than you all.
If, then, the whole church come together into the same place, and all speak in tongues, and there come in unlearned men, or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad?
If, then, the whole church come together into the same place, and all speak in tongues, and there come in unlearned men, or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad?
Let all things be done with propriety, and in good order.
And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
Morish
This gift was in the early church, and was a sign 'to them that believed not,' in fulfilment of Isa 28:11-12: cf. 1Co 14:21. The gift was exhibited in a special way on the day of Pentecost, when people of many lands heard the wonderful things of God each in his own language. In the assembly these gifts were not to be exercised unless there was present an interpreter, that the saints might be edified. Paul thanked God that he spake with tongues more than all at Corinth; but in the assembly he would rather speak five words through his understanding, that he might teach others, than ten thousand words in a tongue. 1Co 12:10,8/type/anderson'>28,30; 13:1,8; 14:2-39.
The expression 'unknown tongue' is unhappy, because it has led some to think that the gift of tongues consisted of a sort of unintelligible gibberish. The word 'unknown' has been added in the A.V., where it should read simply 'tongue.' At Pentecost it was shown that the gift of 'tongues' was in a person speaking a language which he had never learnt, but which was at once understood by those who knew it.
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to another, the working of mighty deeds; to another, prophecy; to another, the discerning of spirits; to another, different kinds of tongues; to another, the interpretation of tongues.
And God has placed some in the church, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then mighty deeds; then gifts of healing; helps, governments, kinds of tongues.
Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of an gels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.
Love never fails; but whether there be gifts of prophecy, they shall have an end; or tongues, they shall cease; or knowledge, it shall have an end.
For he that speaks in an unknown tongue, speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands him: but yet in spirit he speaks mysteries. But he that prophesies speaks to men so as to build them up, to exhort and comfort them. read more. He that speaks in an unknown tongue, edifies himself; but he that prophesies, edifies the church. I am willing, indeed, that you should all speak in tongues, but rather that you should prophesy; for greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, in order that the church may receive instruction. Now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, in what will I profit you, unless I speak to you by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophecy, or by teaching? And even lifeless instruments, which produce sound, whether pipe or harp, unless they give a distinction in the notes, how shall that which is piped or harped be known? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle? So, also, unless you, with the tongue, utter words that are intelligible, how shall that which is spoken be known? for you will speak into the air. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without meaning. If, then, I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaks a barbarian; and he that speaks will be a barbarian to me. So, also, do you, since you greatly desire spiritual gifts, seek to excel to the building up of the church. For which reason, let him that speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, the spirit which I have prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What, then, is it? I will pray with the spirit which is given to me, and I will pray with my understanding also. I will sing with the spirit that is given to me, and I will sing with my understanding also. Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit that is given to you, how will he that occupies the place of the unlearned man say Amen, when you give thanks, since he understands not what you say? For you give thanks well, but the other is not edified. I thank God that I speak in tongues more than you all. Yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. Brethren, be not children in understanding: yet, in malice, be childlike; but, in understanding, be full-grown men. In the law it is written: Through men of other tongues and other lips will I speak to this people; and not even thus will they hear me, says the Lord.
In the law it is written: Through men of other tongues and other lips will I speak to this people; and not even thus will they hear me, says the Lord. Therefore, tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to those who believe not: but prophecy is not for those who believe not, but for those who believe. read more. If, then, the whole church come together into the same place, and all speak in tongues, and there come in unlearned men, or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad? But if all prophesy, and there comes in an unbeliever, or an unlearned man, he is convinced by all, he is examined by all, and the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God, and report that God is really among you. What, then, is it, brethren? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has something to teach, has an unknown tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If any speak in an unknown tongue, let two, or, at most, three, speak at each meeting, and in succession: and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church: but let him speak to himself, and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge: and if any thing be revealed to one who is sitting by, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy, one by one, that all may learn, and all may be encouraged; and the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets; for God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints. Let your women keep silence in the assemblies; for they ire not permitted to speak; but they must be in subjection, as also says the law. But if they wish to learn any thing,, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is a shame for women to speak in an assembly. Has the word of God come forth from you? or did it come to you only? If any one has the reputation of being a prophet, or spiritual man, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any one be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, earnestly desire to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
Smith
Tongues, Gift of.
I. glotta, or glossa, the word employed throughout the New Testament for the gift now under consideration, is used-- (1) for the bodily organ of speech; (2) for a foreign word imported and half-naturalized in Greek; (3) in Hellenistic Greek, for "speech" or "language." The received traditional view, which starts from the third meaning, and sees in the gift of tongues a distinctly linguistic power, is the more correct one. II. The chief passages from which we have to draw our conclusion as to the nature and purpose of the gift in question are-- 1.
2
3
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... III. The promise of a new power coming from the divine Spirit, giving not only comfort and insight into truth, but fresh powers of utterance of some kind, appears once and again in our Lord's teaching. The disciples are to take no thought what they shall speak, for the spirit of their Father shall speak in them.
The lips of Galilean peasants are to speak freely and boldly before kings. The promise of our Lord to his disciples, "They shall speak with new tongues,"
was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, when cloven tongues like fire sat upon the disciples, and "every man heard them speak in his own language."
IV. The wonder of the day of Pentecost is, in its broad features, familiar enough to us. What views have men actually taken of a phenomenon so marvellous and exceptional? The prevalent belief of the Church has been that in the Pentecostal gift the disciples received a supernatural knowledge of all such languages as they needed for their work as evangelists. The knowledge was permanent. Widely diffused as this belief has been it must be remembered that it goes beyond the data with which the New Testament supplies us. Such instance of the gift recorded in the Acts connects it not with the work of teaching, but with that of praise and adoration; not with the normal order of men's lives but with exceptional epochs in them. The speech of St. Peter which follows, like meet other speeches addressed to a Jerusalem audience, was spoken apparently in Aramaic. When St. Paul, who "spake with tongues more than all," was at Lystra, there is no mention made of his using the language of Lycaonia. It is almost implied that he did not understand it.
Not one word in the discussion of spiritual gifts in 1Cor 12-14 implies that the gift was of this nature, or given for this purpose. Nor, it may be added, within the limits assigned the providence of God to the working of the apostolic Church,was such a gift necessary. Aramaic, Greek, Latin, the three languages of the inscription on the cross were media, of intercourse throughout the empire. Some interpreters have seen their way to another solution of the difficulty by changing the character of the miracle. It lay not in any new character bestowed on the speakers, but in the impression produced on the hearers. Words which the Galilean disciples uttered in their own tongue were heard as in their native speech by those who listened. There are, it is believed, weighty reasons against both the earlier and later forms of this hypothesis.
1. It is at variance with the distinct statement of
They began to speak with other tongues.
2. It at once multiplies the miracle and degrades its character. Not the 120 disciples, but the whole multitude of many thousands, are in this case the subjects of it.
3. It involves an element of falsehood. The miracle, on this view, was wrought to make men believe what was not actually the fact.
4. It is altogether inapplicable to the phenomena of
... Critics of a negative school have, as might be expected, adopted the easier course of rejecting the narrative either altogether or in part. What then, are, the facts actually brought before us? What inferences may be legitimately drawn from them? (a) The utterance of words by the disciples, in other languages than their own Galilean Aramaic, is distinctly asserted. (b) The words spoken appear to have been determined, not by the will of the speakers, but by the Spirit which "gave them utterance." (c) The word used, apoftheggesthai, has in the LXX. a special association with the oracular speech of true or false prophets, and appears to imply a peculiar, perhaps physical, solemn intonation. Comp.
(d) The "tongues" were used as an instrument not of teaching, but of praise. (e) Those who spoke them seemed to others to be under the influence of some strong excitement, "full of new wine." (f) Questions as to the mode of operation of a power above the common laws of bodily or mental life lead us to a region where our words should be "wary and few." It must be remembered then, that in all likelihood such words as they then uttered had been heard by the disciples before. The difference was that before the Galilean peasants had stood in that crowd neither heeding nor understanding nor remembering what they heard, still less able to reproduce it; now they had the power of speaking it clearly and freely. The divine work would in this case take the form of a supernatural exaltation of the memory, not of imparting a miraculous knowledge of words never heard before. (g) The gift of tongues, the ecstatic burst of praise, is definitely asserted to be a fulfillment of the prediction of
We are led, therefore, to look for that which answers to the gift of tongues in the other element of prophecy which is included in the Old Testament use of the word; and this is found in the ecstatic praise, the burst of sang.
1Sa 10:5-13; 19:20-24; 1Ch 25:3
(h) The other instances in the Acts offer essentially the same phenomena. By implication in ch.
by express statement in ch.
it belongs to special critical epochs. V. The First Epistle to the Corinthians supplies fuller data. The spiritual gifts are classified and compared arranged, apparently, according to their worth. The facts which may be gathered are briefly these:
1. The phenomena of the gift of tongues were not confined to one church or section of a church.
2. The comparison of gifts, in both the lists given by St. Paul --
places that of tongues and the interpretation of tongues lowest in the scale.
3. The main characteristic of the "tongue" is that it is unintelligible. The man "speaks mysteries," prays, blesses, gives thanks, in the tongue,
but no one understands him.
4. The peculiar nature of the gift leads the apostle into what at first appears a contradiction. "Tongues are for a sign," not to believers, but to those who do not believe; yet the effect on unbelievers is not that of attracting, but of repelling. They involve of necessity a disturbance of the equilibrium between the understanding and the feeling. Therefore it is that, for those who believe already, prophecy is the greater gift.
5. The "tongues," however, must be regarded as real languages. The "divers kinds of tongues."
the "tongues of men,"
point to differences of some kind and it is easier to conceive of these as differences of language than as belonging to utterances all equally mild and inarticulate.
6. Connected with the "tongues" there was the corresponding power of interpretation. VI.
1. Traces of the gift are found in the Epistles to the Romans, the Galatians, the Ephesians. From the Pastoral Epistles, from those of St. Peter and St. John, they are altogether absent, and this is in itself significant.
2. It is probable, however, that the disappearance of the "tongues" was gradual. There must have been a time when "tongues" were still heard, though less frequently and with less striking results. For the most part, however, the pierce which they had filled in the worship of the Church was supplied by the "hymns and spiritual songs" of the succeeding age, after this, within the Church we lose nearly all traces of them. The gift of the day of Pentecost belonged to a critical epoch, not to the continuous life of the Church. It implied a disturbance of the equilibrium of man's normal state but it was not the instrument for building up t
See Verses Found in Dictionary
But when they deliver you up, be not anxious how or what you shall speak; for that which you shall speak shall be given you in that hour: for it is not you that speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father that speaks in you.
But when they lead you to deliver you up, be not anxious beforehand, nor premeditate what you shall speak; but what ever shall be given you in that hour, that do you speak; for it is not you that speak, but the Holy Spirit.
And these signs shall attend those who believe. In my name they shall cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;
And these signs shall attend those who believe. In my name they shall cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;
And when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one consent in one place.
And when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one consent in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of a rushing, violent wind, and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting.
And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of a rushing, violent wind, and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues like fire, which distributed them selves, and sat one on each of them.
And there appeared to them tongues like fire, which distributed them selves, and sat one on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem devout Jews, from every nation under heaven.
Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem devout Jews, from every nation under heaven. When the report of this had gone abroad, the multitude came together; and they were perplexed, for each one heard them speak in his own language.
When the report of this had gone abroad, the multitude came together; and they were perplexed, for each one heard them speak in his own language. They were amazed and astonished, and said one to another: Are not all these that are speaking, Galileans?
They were amazed and astonished, and said one to another: Are not all these that are speaking, Galileans? And how is it that we hear, every one in our own language in which we were born
And how is it that we hear, every one in our own language in which we were born Parthians and Modes and Elamites, and we who dwell in Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
Parthians and Modes and Elamites, and we who dwell in Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya about Gyrene, Roman residents, Jews and proselytes,
Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya about Gyrene, Roman residents, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians we hear them speaking, in our own tongues, the wonderful works of God?
Cretes and Arabians we hear them speaking, in our own tongues, the wonderful works of God? And they were all in amazement and doubt, and said, one to another: What can this mean?
And they were all in amazement and doubt, and said, one to another: What can this mean? But others deriding, said: They are full of new wine.
for they heard them speaking with tongues, and magnifying God. Then Peter answered: Can any one for bid the water, that these should not be immersed, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?
And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
If, then, God gave them the like gift that he gave to us who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, what was I, that I could withstand God?
said, with a loud voice: Stand erect upon your feet. And he leaped and walked. "When the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, and said, in the Carletonian language: The Gods have come down to us in the likeness of men.
"When the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, and said, in the Carletonian language: The Gods have come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter, and Paul, Mercury, for he was the chief speaker. read more. Then the priest of Jupiter, whose temple was before the city, having brought bulls and garlands to the entrance, in tended to offer sacrifice, with the multitudes. But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the multitude, crying out, and saying: Men, why are you doing these things? We also are human beings, with passions like your own, and we preach the gospel to you, that you may turn from these vanities to the living God, who made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them; who, in past generations, permitted all the nations to walk in their own ways;
And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.
For to one is given, by the Spirit, the word of wisdom; to another, the word of knowledge, by the same Spirit; to another, faith, by the same Spirit; to another, gifts of healing, by the same Spirit; read more. to another, the working of mighty deeds; to another, prophecy; to another, the discerning of spirits; to another, different kinds of tongues; to another, the interpretation of tongues.
And God has placed some in the church, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then mighty deeds; then gifts of healing; helps, governments, kinds of tongues.
And God has placed some in the church, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then mighty deeds; then gifts of healing; helps, governments, kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of mighty deeds? read more. Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of an gels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.
Cultivate love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy.
What, then, is it? I will pray with the spirit which is given to me, and I will pray with my understanding also. I will sing with the spirit that is given to me, and I will sing with my understanding also. Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit that is given to you, how will he that occupies the place of the unlearned man say Amen, when you give thanks, since he understands not what you say?