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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Moreover these signs shall follow those who believe. They shall drive out demons in my name; they shall speak with new tongues in foreign languages;
and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
Parthians, Medes, Elamites, dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judea, in Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia,
to another the powers which work miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits; to another varieties of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But the one and the same Spirit gives power to all, distributing his gifts to each as he wills. read more. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, although they be many, are one body; so also is Christ. And we can see this, for in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jew or Gentile, whether slave or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.
Fausets
Mr 16:17; 1/type/mnt'>Ac 2:1-13; 10/46/type/mnt'>10:46; 19/6/type/mnt'>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/mnt'>Ac 2:1-4; 10/46/type/mnt'>10:46; 19/6/type/mnt'>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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In reply Jesus told them. "An evil and faithless generation seeks a sign, and no sign will be given them except the sign of the prophet Jonah. "For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the sea-monster's belly, so the Son of man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. read more. "The men of Nineveh will stand up in the Judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented under the preaching of Jonah, and lo! a greater than Jonah is here! "The Queen of the South will rise in the judgment with this generation, and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon; and lo! a greater than Solomon is here!
And the crowds who preceded and those who followed after him shouted again and again, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed be he who is coming in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"
But when the chief priests and the Scribes saw the wonderful works he did, and the boys who were shouting in the Temple Courts and saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David!"
She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. But they, although they heard that he was living and had been seen by her did not believe it. read more. After this he appeared in another form to two of them as they were walking on their way into the country. They too went, and told the others; but they did not believe them, either. Afterward he appeared to the Eleven themselves, as they were eating, and reproached them for their lack of faith, and stubborn hearts, because they disbelieved those who had seen him risen. And he said to them. "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who disbelieves shall be condemned. Moreover these signs shall follow those who believe. They shall drive out demons in my name; they shall speak with new tongues in foreign languages;
Moreover these signs shall follow those who believe. They shall drive out demons in my name; they shall speak with new tongues in foreign languages; they shall pick up serpents, and if they drink any poison it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover." read more. So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the message by the miracles which followed.
"For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, "He shall drink neither wine nor strong drink, "He shall be filled with the Holy Spirit from the hour of his birth,
Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, came back from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, all the time tempted by the devil.
"Were not our hearts burning within us," they said to each other, "while we were talking with him on the way, and he was opening to us the scriptures?"
When the day of Pentecost was fully come, and they were all together in the same place,
When the day of Pentecost was fully come, and they were all together in the same place,
When the day of Pentecost was fully come, and they were all together in the same place, there came suddenly from the sky a sound like the onrush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
there came suddenly from the sky a sound like the onrush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
there came suddenly from the sky a sound like the onrush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. There appeared to them tongues, like flame, distributing themselves, one resting upon the head of each one,
There appeared to them tongues, like flame, distributing themselves, one resting upon the head of each one,
There appeared to them tongues, like flame, distributing themselves, one resting upon the head of each one, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit was giving them utterance. Now there were, staying in Jerusalem. devout Jews from many and distant lands.
Now there were, staying in Jerusalem. devout Jews from many and distant lands. So when this noise was heard, the crowd gathered in bewilderment because each man heard them speaking in his own language.
So when this noise was heard, the crowd gathered in bewilderment because each man heard them speaking in his own language. The were beside themselves with wonder. "Are not these Galileans who are speaking?" they exclaimed.
The were beside themselves with wonder. "Are not these Galileans who are speaking?" they exclaimed. "Then how is it that each one of us hears them speak his own mother tongue?
"Then how is it that each one of us hears them speak his own mother tongue?
"Then how is it that each one of us hears them speak his own mother tongue? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judea, in Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia,
Parthians, Medes, Elamites, dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judea, in Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia, in Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the district of Lybia around Cretans and Arabians,
in Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the district of Lybia around Cretans and Arabians, we all hear these men telling in our own tongue what great things God has done."
we all hear these men telling in our own tongue what great things God has done."
we all hear these men telling in our own tongue what great things God has done." All were astonished and bewildered and kept saying to one another, "What can this mean?"
All were astonished and bewildered and kept saying to one another, "What can this mean?" But others were saying with jeer, "These men are full of sweet wine."
But others were saying with jeer, "These men are full of sweet wine."
But others were saying with jeer, "These men are full of sweet wine."
But others were saying with jeer, "These men are full of sweet wine."
But others were saying with jeer, "These men are full of sweet wine." Then Peter, with the Eleven, stood up and addresses them in a loud voice. "Men of Judea and dwellers in Jerusalem, have no doubt about this matter, but listen to what I say. read more. "These men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only nine o'clock in the morning.
"These men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only nine o'clock in the morning. "No, this is what the prophet Joel predicted.
"No, this is what the prophet Joel predicted. "In the last days, God says, it shall come to pass that I will pour out my Spirit upon all mankind; "Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams;
"In the last days, God says, it shall come to pass that I will pour out my Spirit upon all mankind; "Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams; upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days, will I pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days, will I pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
And he sprang up and began to walk about. Then the crowds, when they saw what Paul had done, shouted in the Lycaonian tongue, saying, "The gods are come down to us in human form."
"Men, why are you doing all this? We also are men, with natures like your own! We are bringing you good tidings, that you are to turn from these empty things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and the sea and all that in them is.
Now it happened that while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul, after passing through the hinterland, came to Ephesus, where he found a few disciples.
Now it happened that while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul, after passing through the hinterland, came to Ephesus, where he found a few disciples.
and after Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they began to speak with tongues, and to prophesy.
and after Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they began to speak with tongues, and to prophesy.
and after Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they began to speak with tongues, and to prophesy.
For you have not received a spirit of slavery in order that you should once more be afraid; but you have received a spirit of adoption, in which we cry out, "My Father, my dear Father!"
In the same way the Spirit also takes hold with us in our weakness; for we know knot how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Wherefore I want you to understand that no one who speaks in the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except in the Holy Spirit.
Wherefore I want you to understand that no one who speaks in the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except in the Holy Spirit.
to another the powers which work miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits; to another varieties of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
And God has appointed those in the church to be first of all apostles, second, prophets, third, teachers. then workers of miracles, healers, helpers, administrators, users of various kinds of "tongues."
Desire earnestly the greater gifts. And yet I will go on to show you a still more excellent way.
Though I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have no love, I am become a clanging brass, or a clashing cymbal.
Though I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have no love, I am become a clanging brass, or a clashing cymbal.
Love never fails; but though there are prophecies, they will fail; though there are tongues, they will cease; though there is knowledge, it will be superseded.
When I was a child I spoke like a child, felt like a child, thought like a child; now that I am become a man, I have done with childish things.
For he who speaks in a "tongue" speaks not to man but to God, for no one understands him, but in the Spirit he utters secret truths.
He who speaks in a tongue upbuilds himself; but he who prophesies upbuilds the church. Now I should like you all to speak with "tongues"; but I should rather that you prophesied, For he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be built up. read more. Now brothers, if I should come to you speaking with tongues, what should I benefit you, unless I speak to you some revelation, or knowledge, or prophecy, or teaching? For if lifeless instruments such as the flute or the harp give no distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is fluted or harped?
For if lifeless instruments such as the flute or the harp give no distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is fluted or harped? Or, for example, if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, what soldier will be prepared for battle? read more. In the same way with you, if you utter unintelligible words with your tongue, how can what you say be understood? You will be speaking to the winds! There are, let us say, so many languages in the world, and none without its meaning. If then I do not know the force of expression, I shall seem a barbarian to the one who uses it, and he will seem a barbarian to me.
If then I do not know the force of expression, I shall seem a barbarian to the one who uses it, and he will seem a barbarian to me.
So let him who speaks with tongues pray that he may interpret.
So let him who speaks with tongues pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is barren. read more. What then? I will pray with my spirit, and I will pray also with my mind. I will praise God with my spirit, but I will praise him with my mind, also. For if you in your spirit bless God, how shall he who fills the place of the unlearned say the Amen to your thanksgiving, when he does not know what you are talking about? You on the one hand offer a good thanksgiving, but the other is not built up. Thank God I speak with tongues more than you all,
Thank God I speak with tongues more than you all, but in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, so as to instruct others, than ten thousand in an unknown tongue. read more. Brothers, do not become children in understanding; be babes in malice, but in understanding become mature men.
Brothers, do not become children in understanding; be babes in malice, but in understanding become mature men. In the Law it is written. With men of other tongues, and by the lips of strangers, will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord. read more. So then the gift of tongues is for a sign, not to believers, but to unbelievers; but prophecy is not for unbelievers, but for those who believe. Accordingly, when the whole church assemblies, and everybody is speaking "with tongues," if there enter men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that you are mad?
Accordingly, when the whole church assemblies, and everybody is speaking "with tongues," if there enter men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that you are mad?
What follows, then, brothers? Whenever you meet together, each contributes something; a psalm, a sermon, a revelation, a tongue, an interpretation. Let all be done for edification. If any one speaks in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that in turn, and let some one interpret.
If any one speaks in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that in turn, and let some one interpret.
The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets,
So, my brothers, be ambitious for the gift of prophecy, and speak not against the gifts of tongues.
If any one does not love the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord is coming.
who was caught up into Paradise, and heard unutterable words which no human being is permitted to utter.
And because you are sons, God sent forth the spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, "Dear, dear Father!"
Do not be drunk with wine, in which is riotous living, but drink deep in the Spirit, when you talk together; with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and with all your hearts making music unto the Lord;
when you talk together; with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and with all your hearts making music unto the Lord;
Look! the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you have been keeping back by fraud, are crying aloud! And the cries of the reapers have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth!
After this I heard the semblance of the mighty voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying. "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power Unto the Lord our God!
And I heard a sound like the voice of a great multitude, and like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of mighty thunderings, saying. "Alleluia, for the Lord God omnipotent 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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A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "You also are certainly 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 was giving them utterance.
Parthians, Medes, Elamites, dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judea, in Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia,
we all hear these men telling in our own tongue what great things God has done."
But others were saying with jeer, "These men are full of sweet wine."
Then the apostles laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
"And," said Peter, "as soon as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, just as he fell upon us at the beginning.
And he sprang up and began to walk about. Then the crowds, when they saw what Paul had done, shouted in the Lycaonian tongue, saying, "The gods are come down to us in human form."
But when the apostles, Paul and Barnabas, heard of it, they rent their garments and rushed out among the crowd, shouting and crying.
She used to follow after Paul and us, crying out again and again, "These men are servants of the most high God, who proclaimed to you the way of salvation."
Then Paul went into the synagogue, and there continued to preach fearlessly for about three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.
For you have not received a spirit of slavery in order that you should once more be afraid; but you have received a spirit of adoption, in which we cry out, "My Father, my dear Father!"
In the same way the Spirit also takes hold with us in our weakness; for we know knot how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
to another the powers which work miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits; to another varieties of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
Have all gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
Love never fails; but though there are prophecies, they will fail; though there are tongues, they will cease; though there is knowledge, it will be superseded.
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is barren.
Thank God I speak with tongues more than you all,
Accordingly, when the whole church assemblies, and everybody is speaking "with tongues," if there enter men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that you are mad?
Accordingly, when the whole church assemblies, and everybody is speaking "with tongues," if there enter men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that you are mad?
Let everything be done decently and in order.
And because you are sons, God sent forth the spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, "Dear, dear Father!"
when you talk together; with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and with all your hearts making music unto 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/mnt'>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 powers which work miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits; to another varieties of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
And God has appointed those in the church to be first of all apostles, second, prophets, third, teachers. then workers of miracles, healers, helpers, administrators, users of various kinds of "tongues."
Have all gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
Though I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have no love, I am become a clanging brass, or a clashing cymbal.
Love never fails; but though there are prophecies, they will fail; though there are tongues, they will cease; though there is knowledge, it will be superseded.
For he who speaks in a "tongue" speaks not to man but to God, for no one understands him, but in the Spirit he utters secret truths. But he who prophesies addresses words to men that build up, encourage, and console. read more. He who speaks in a tongue upbuilds himself; but he who prophesies upbuilds the church. Now I should like you all to speak with "tongues"; but I should rather that you prophesied, For he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be built up. Now brothers, if I should come to you speaking with tongues, what should I benefit you, unless I speak to you some revelation, or knowledge, or prophecy, or teaching? For if lifeless instruments such as the flute or the harp give no distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is fluted or harped? Or, for example, if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, what soldier will be prepared for battle? In the same way with you, if you utter unintelligible words with your tongue, how can what you say be understood? You will be speaking to the winds! There are, let us say, so many languages in the world, and none without its meaning. If then I do not know the force of expression, I shall seem a barbarian to the one who uses it, and he will seem a barbarian to me. So also in your case, since you are ambitious for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in them for the upbuilding of the church. So let him who speaks with tongues pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is barren. What then? I will pray with my spirit, and I will pray also with my mind. I will praise God with my spirit, but I will praise him with my mind, also. For if you in your spirit bless God, how shall he who fills the place of the unlearned say the Amen to your thanksgiving, when he does not know what you are talking about? You on the one hand offer a good thanksgiving, but the other is not built up. Thank God I speak with tongues more than you all, but in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, so as to instruct others, than ten thousand in an unknown tongue. Brothers, do not become children in understanding; be babes in malice, but in understanding become mature men. In the Law it is written. With men of other tongues, and by the lips of strangers, will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.
In the Law it is written. With men of other tongues, and by the lips of strangers, will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord. So then the gift of tongues is for a sign, not to believers, but to unbelievers; but prophecy is not for unbelievers, but for those who believe. read more. Accordingly, when the whole church assemblies, and everybody is speaking "with tongues," if there enter men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that you are mad? But if all are prophesying when an unlearned or unbelieving man enters, he is convicted in conscience by your speaker, he feels himself judged by all, and the secret depths of his heart are laid open. So he will fall upon his face and worship God, saying, "Of a truth, God is with you." What follows, then, brothers? Whenever you meet together, each contributes something; a psalm, a sermon, a revelation, a tongue, an interpretation. Let all be done for edification. If any one speaks in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that in turn, and let some one interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let them keep silence in the church, and speak to themselves and to God. Let the prophets speak by two or three, and let the others exercise their judgment. But if to one as he sits there some revelation is made, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one; so that all may be learning, and all may be encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets, for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. This custom prevails in all the churches of the saints. "In your congregation" you write, "as in all the churches of the saints, let the women keep silence in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak. On the contrary let them be subordinate, as also says the law. And if they want to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a women to speak in church." What, was it from you that the word of God went forth, or to you only did it come? If any one thinks himself a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that what I am now writing you is a command of the Lord. But if any one disregard it he will be disregarded. So, my brothers, be ambitious for the gift of prophecy, and speak not against the gifts of 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 whenever they apprehend you, do not be anxious about how you shall speak or what you shall say; for it will be given you in that very hour what to say. "For it will not be you who is speaking, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
When, however, they are leading you all to trial, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but whatever is given you in that hour, that say, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
Moreover these signs shall follow those who believe. They shall drive out demons in my name; they shall speak with new tongues in foreign languages;
Moreover these signs shall follow those who believe. They shall drive out demons in my name; they shall speak with new tongues in foreign languages;
When the day of Pentecost was fully come, and they were all together in the same place,
When the day of Pentecost was fully come, and they were all together in the same place, there came suddenly from the sky a sound like the onrush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
there came suddenly from the sky a sound like the onrush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. There appeared to them tongues, like flame, distributing themselves, one resting upon the head of each one,
There appeared to them tongues, like flame, distributing themselves, one resting upon the head of each one, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit was giving them utterance. Now there were, staying in Jerusalem. devout Jews from many and distant lands.
Now there were, staying in Jerusalem. devout Jews from many and distant lands. So when this noise was heard, the crowd gathered in bewilderment because each man heard them speaking in his own language.
So when this noise was heard, the crowd gathered in bewilderment because each man heard them speaking in his own language. The were beside themselves with wonder. "Are not these Galileans who are speaking?" they exclaimed.
The were beside themselves with wonder. "Are not these Galileans who are speaking?" they exclaimed. "Then how is it that each one of us hears them speak his own mother tongue?
"Then how is it that each one of us hears them speak his own mother tongue? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judea, in Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia,
Parthians, Medes, Elamites, dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judea, in Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia, in Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the district of Lybia around Cretans and Arabians,
in Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the district of Lybia around Cretans and Arabians, we all hear these men telling in our own tongue what great things God has done."
we all hear these men telling in our own tongue what great things God has done." All were astonished and bewildered and kept saying to one another, "What can this mean?"
All were astonished and bewildered and kept saying to one another, "What can this mean?" But others were saying with jeer, "These men are full of sweet wine."
For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter said, "Can any one refuse water for the baptism of these men who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?"
"And," said Peter, "as soon as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, just as he fell upon us at the beginning.
"So if God gave them the same gift as he gave to us, when we first believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?"
said in a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet!" And he sprang up and began to walk about. Then the crowds, when they saw what Paul had done, shouted in the Lycaonian tongue, saying, "The gods are come down to us in human form."
And he sprang up and began to walk about. Then the crowds, when they saw what Paul had done, shouted in the Lycaonian tongue, saying, "The gods are come down to us in human form." And they began to call Barnabas "Zeus," and Paul, since he was the principal speaker, "Hermes"; read more. and the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and along with the crowds was about to offer sacrifices. But when the apostles, Paul and Barnabas, heard of it, they rent their garments and rushed out among the crowd, shouting and crying. "Men, why are you doing all this? We also are men, with natures like your own! We are bringing you good tidings, that you are to turn from these empty things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and the sea and all that in them is. In bygone generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways,
and after Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they began to speak with tongues, and to prophesy.
For to one man by the Spirit has been given a word of wisdom, to another a word of insight by the same Spirit; to one man by the same Spirit is given faith, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit; read more. to another the powers which work miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits; to another varieties of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
And God has appointed those in the church to be first of all apostles, second, prophets, third, teachers. then workers of miracles, healers, helpers, administrators, users of various kinds of "tongues."
And God has appointed those in the church to be first of all apostles, second, prophets, third, teachers. then workers of miracles, healers, helpers, administrators, users of various kinds of "tongues." Are all apostles? Are all prophets? teachers? workers of miracles? read more. Have all gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
Though I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have no love, I am become a clanging brass, or a clashing cymbal.
Hotly pursue this love, yet seek earnestly spiritual gifts, and chiefly that you may prophesy.
What then? I will pray with my spirit, and I will pray also with my mind. I will praise God with my spirit, but I will praise him with my mind, also. For if you in your spirit bless God, how shall he who fills the place of the unlearned say the Amen to your thanksgiving, when he does not know what you are talking about?