Tongues, gift of

The divine enabling of a believer to use a language, unknown to the speaker. The gift of tongues may be used to praise God or to utter a message from God that, supplemented by the gift of interpretation of tongues, edifies other believers. Note that “tongues” can simply mean “other languages” at times.

Tongues is a gift of the Holy Spirit

It is given to individual believers

Acts 2:4 See also 1 Corinthians 12:11, 1 Corinthians 12:30 it is not universal among Christians

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

It was foretold in the OT

1 Corinthians 14:21; Isaiah 28:11

It is a divine gift in response to faith

Mark 16:17

And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

It may be given through the laying on of hands

Acts 19:6

And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

It is a sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit

Acts 10:44–46

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message. All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God. Then Peter said,

Tongues in relation to other gifts

The need for love

1 Corinthians 13:1

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.

The need for prophecy

1 Corinthians 14:4–6

The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified. Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

The need for intelligibility

The need for interpretation

1 Corinthians 12:8–10, 1 Corinthians 14:12–13

To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church. Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.

The transience of tongues

1 Corinthians 13:8

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be restrained; where there is knowledge, it will be dismissed.

The use of tongues within the church

In prayer and praise

For the benefit of believers

1 Corinthians 12:7–10 See also 1 Corinthians 14:5, 1 Corinthians 14:16–17, 1 Corinthians 14:26

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

In public it needs to be augmented by the gift of interpretation

1 Corinthians 14:26–28 See also 1 Corinthians 12:30, 1 Corinthians 14:5, 1 Corinthians 14:13

What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret. But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God.