The Biblical use of Tongues

The Biblical use of Tongues

1Corinthians 14:1-40

Whenever you consider the use of Tongues, there are three types of tongues that have to be considered:

·   Tongues as they were found in Acts. The supernatural ability to speak a language you did not know, or for the hearer to understand what you spoke in their own language

·   Tongues as it is used in the Charismatic churches. An ecstatic language, they say comes from heaven

·   Tongues in the sense of the learned ability to speak a foreign language or the different languages spoken by people with different backgrounds. 

Corinth was a large, cosmopolitan city. There were people from all over the world there, many of whom would obviously speak different languages and some who would have the ability to speak several languages.

In this chapter, Paul writes of; 

1. Tongues versus prophecy 
(vs. 1-5)  

2. Paul's own use of Tongues (vs. 6-19)

3. Tongues in the church 

(vs. 20-40)

*I. TONGUES VERSUS PROPHECY 

1 Corinthians 14:1-5 (KJV)

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

In general, Paul says that,

A. Prophecy is more practical and useful than tongues.  

The use of tongues is really impractical as far as God's plans for man is concerned.  

People just don't get saved listening to someone speak in tongues.  Tongues has no value to those that hear them.  They are mysteries to them.

Prophecy, rather, is valuable to the hearer. Prophecy is more than telling the future. 

B. The use of prophecy can also be for edification, exhortation, and comfort. 

1 Corinthians 14:3 says,

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.(KJV)

·   Edifying is building one up in the faith. 

·   Exhortation is encouraging one unto love and good works, and 

·   Comfort is helping one in trial.  

All three of these are valuable to God because they will lead to the winning of souls to Christ. 

The reason we Christians need to learn the Bible and live holy lives is not so we can say, "Look at me! I'm better than you."  It is so our lives will have a good testimony before God and man.  Then God can use us to win more souls to Him.

Paul says that

C. The use of tongues is a selfish thing. 

It is no good to anybody but the speaker. 

Prophecy, on the other hand, is selfless. It has the good of others in view.

1 Corinthians 14:5 

I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.(KJV)

The concept of edifying the church is found over and over in this chapter (vs 3, 5, 12, 26) 

Imagine, if you will, a church attempting to imitate the supernatural gift of tongues as it was demonstrated in Acts 2.

There were some, we are told in Chapter 12, who had been led astray and were actually allowing a Demon to give them an ecstatic tongue, and by it, they were cursing Christ.

But there were others who knew foreign languages and were getting up and speaking in them as if they were using the gift of tongues.

The sole enjoyment of such a thing would be for the user, and not for any in the room. The church would not be edified, but the speaker.

*II. PAUL’S OWN USE OF TONGUES 

1 Corinthians 14:6-19 (KJV)

Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.

There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

In verses 7-11 Paul points out

A. The uselessness of anything that makes an uncertain sound. 

1 Corinthians 14:7-11 (KJV)

And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.

There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

Picture an orchestrawhere no one in the group knows how to play music.

They could make sounds, but it would surely not be pretty to hear.

Or picture a bugler in battle who doesnot know how to play the battle calls. He could not help in the fight.

The implication is that those that speak in tongues make an uncertain and therefore useless sound.

It is vital to the edifying and usefulness of the church, that the speaker is understood, and filled with the spirit at the same time.

Otherwise, he is like a barbarian to the hearer 

B. Some people today say that they use tongues to "pray in the spirit."

1 Corinthians 14:12-17 (KJV)

Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. 

Paul said that he can "pray in the spirit," and do it in a language he can understand.

·   He could sing in the spirit, 

·   He could pray in the spirit, (vs 15)

·   He could bless in the spirit, and 

·   He could give thanks in the spirit, (vs 16)

And he could do it all so that people could understand what was said. 

Why use an unintelligible language to do these when they could be done just as well and better in a language that could be a benefit to others?  A person can "be in the spirit" and still speak his own language.  Why then do anything else?

C. Paul was thankful for his gift of tongues.

1 Corinthians 14:18-19 (KJV)

I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

The Bible never once tells of Paul using a supernatural ability to speak a language he did not know. 

We do know, however, that he spoke several foreign languages. 

·   Hebrew[1]

·   Greek[2](Acts 21:37), probably 

·   Aramaic[3], and perhaps even 

·   Latin[4]

I am sure that, being a traveling church planter as he was, speaking all these languages was useful.  But, he said, even then he would not use them in the church.

*III. TONGUES IN THE CHURCH 

1 Corinthians 14:20-40 (KJV)

Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

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 churches of the saints.

Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

Let all things be done decently and in order.

A. A practical use of tongues.  

1 Corinthians 14:21-26 (KJV)

In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

It’s not a prayer language, but a means to preach the gospel to the unbeliever who speaks a foreign language.

Inside church services, the common language of the place was to be used exclusively so that all believers could be blessed as well as the lost being saved.

Paul also addressed the problem,

B. What if someone comes to church who speaks a different language?

1 Corinthians 14:27-28 (KJV)

If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

There is no reason for him to speak in the services if no one understands him. 

If there is someone there who can interpret what he says, the people of two languages will be blessed by his exhortation. 

If, however, there is no one there able to interpret, then let the one with the foreign tongue worship god silently.  Let him not interrupt the order of the services.

C. Paul's rule of thumb 

1 Corinthians 14:40

Let all things be done decently and in order.(KJV)

The preaching should be done decently and in order. So should the prayer and the singing. All the church services should have an air of orderliness about them.  

Verses 32-33 tells us that we can be "in the Spirit," and still maintain control of ourselves and the services.

1 Corinthians 14:32-33 (KJV)

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 churches of the saints.

We are sometimes afraid of formality, aren't we? 

·   We brag about the preacher who goes past his time because "he preached until the Spirit said stop." 

·   People sometimes give testimonies without waiting until testimonies are called for.  

·   We start our services and stop our services when we want to because, we say, that way "the Spirit is in control." 

Especially are these things true of the so-called charismatic churches.  Being "in the Spirit" means being "out of control."  

This is not the doctrine of the Apostle Paul. Paul rebuked this out of control church in Corinth.  May we learn then to have well planned, practiced and prepared services of worship for the glory of the Lord.

Obviously, we don't want these services to be so rigid that they can't be changed if the Holy Spirit does lead, but we should seek the Spirit's leading as we plan. He is not the author of confusion.

D. Women should keep silence in the churches.  

1 Corinthians 14:34-35 (KJV)

Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

This is in context with speaking in tongues.  

·   Women can sing in the church.  

·   Women can give testimonies in the church.  

·   Woman can pray in the church.  

They are simply not to 

·   Usurp authority over a man[5]or 

·   Voice their opinions or 

·   Speak in tongues.  

They should save their questions to ask their husbands.[6]

·   If she is not married she can ask her father and if that is not possible 

·   She can ask the spiritually mature women of the church. 

This would solve many problems with pastors and affairs with the women they have counseled.

Why is it that so much of the modern charismatic movement is woman-oriented? 

Women are the main leaders in many charismatic churches. This seems to be the same thing that Paul was facing in that day. 

Women were often the leaders of the pagan religions. 

·   They were the prostitute priestesses. 

·   Now they were leading the churches into carnal worship in the name of the Lord

Conclusion

As far as we can see, 1 Corinthians 14 scolded Corinth for the same things that we see in the charismatic movement today:

  

Confusion in the services. 

So much disorder that new people can't understand what is happening.  

The use of unscriptural tongues, and that without discretion so that the unsaved were scared out of the churches. 

Women who ignore the plain teaching of the Bibleand propagate the speaking in tongues, as well as leading over the men.  

Sometimes even taking the pastoral position.  And finally, 

The false assumption that being "in the Spirit" means having no controlso that services have no schedule or plan.

Paul ends chapter 14 with an admonition to observe what he has said 

1 Corinthians 14:37

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.(KJV)

This is the Word of God.  

·   Accept the truth that the charismatic use of spiritual gifts is been wrong and, worse, demonic.  

·   Admit your ignorance[7], and then go from there to 

·   Follow the truth of God’s Word

---

[1]Acts 22:2 (KJV)

(And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)

[2]Acts 21:37 (KJV)

And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?

[3]Because it was a common language.

[4]Because he was a Roman citizen.

[5]1 Timothy 2:11-12 (KJV)

Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

[6]If he does not know the answer, he can ask the pastor.

[7]1 Corinthians 14:38 (KJV)

But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.