The Tongues Chapter

Next Part Only in the Body of Christ

The Bible is God’s basic instruction book on all matters pertaining to the Christian’s life. Of course, it does teach that there is a correct, proper—and scriptural—gift of tongues. God would not give the true gift of tongues without explaining how it was to be used.

Those in Acts 19:1-41, and Cornelius and his household, did, in fact, speak in tongues. Recall that I Corinthians 12:1-31 does list it as one of the nine gifts of the Spirit. What then does the Bible teach about the proper use of this gift?

The 14th chapter of I Corinthians has been called the “tongues chapter.” It is entirely about this gift. The Corinthians had become obsessed with receiving the gift of speaking in tongues. Many problems had ensued and the Church was in confusion. The brethren were acting like “children,” because Paul admonished, “Brethren, be not children in understanding” (I Cor 14:20).

Paul was forced to address the whole Church about this matter. Since the chapter is 40 verses long, he obviously had much to say. We cannot review every word and phrase of such a long instruction, but we can consider the most critical points for understanding. It will become most obvious that none of the modern “Pentecostal” people or groups practice what God taught the Church through Paul. God wants His people to be of sound mind (II Tim. 1:7) on this matter.

Bear in mind that this chapter builds on chapter 12, which introduces both the gift of tongues and interpretation of tongues, and chapter 13, which explains why LOVE is the most important spiritual gift.

I will cite certain verses or phrases and follow each with a brief comment or explanation:

2 Tim 1:1: “Follow after charity [love], and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy.” Paul urges the Corinthians to seek two gifts, neither of which is tongues or interpreting.

2 Tim 1:4-5: “He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the church. I would that you all spoke with tongues, but [more] rather that you prophesied: for greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.” Obviously, Paul is not saying he is against tongues, but is explaining that prophesying edifies the Church. Tongues does not, unless there is an interpreter.

Typically, Pentecostal meetings are chaotic—confused—with little or no “interpreting” (and that not correctly) occurring.

Also notice that anyone who speaks in tongues only “edifies himself,” if there is no interpreter present. Herein lies the danger that many ignore. It is easy to focus on the self—self-thrills, feelings and pleasures, and blessings for self.

2 Tim 1:6: “…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?” Tongues is useless if it does not bring one of the four things that Paul lists. Speaking gibberish reflects none of these.

2 Tim 1:7 uses the phrase “except they give a distinction in the sounds” when describing different musical instruments that must be played properly to be appreciated.

2 Tim 1:8-11 expand on the principle that sounds must have meaning to those who hear them. In 2 Tim 1:12, Paul compliments Corinth for being “zealous,” but admonishes that they should do it “to the edifying of the Church.”

2 Tim 1:13: “Wherefore let him that speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.” Once again, this statement is plain—and yet it is ignored by Pentecostal people.

2 Tim 1:14-15 amplify the point and reflect 2 Tim 1:2, which explains that, without an interpreter, those who speak in tongues “speak not unto men, but unto God.” Having an interpreter is crucial.

2 Tim 1:16: “…how shall he that occupies the room of the unlearned say Amen at your giving of thanks, seeing he understands not what you say?” Amen means “so be it.” Since tongues is a form of prayer, and prayers end with amen, without an interpreter, no one can honestly say “so be it” to the message. In 2 Tim 1:17-18, Paul says that he spoke in tongues more than all the Corinthians. So he was obviously not against the gift, but rather against its misuse!

2 Tim 1:19: “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.” This powerful verse speaks for itself.

2 Tim 1:22: “Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not.” What Pentecostal group understands or believes this vital point? They teach that tongues is the second experiencing of power to the believer. But here, tongues is described as a sign to UNBELIEVERS—like the 3,000 in Jerusalem who were converted after witnessing this miracle.

2 Tim 1:23: “If…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 you are mad [crazy]?” This is exactly what most would say upon walking into a modern “tarry meeting.” Upon seeing the confusion and disorder, reasonable people would say, “They are all crazy.”

2 Tim 1:24-25 explain that if the unbeliever saw and heard prophesying (inspired preaching), he could be benefited—“convinced.” In 2 Tim 1:26, Paul indicts the brethren for all speaking at the same time. This sets up 2 Tim 1:27.

2 Tim 1:27: “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.” Two critical points emerge: (1) two or three is the limit for how many can speak in tongues and this must be done one at a time (“by course”), and (2) there must also be an interpreter present, even for this small number. Do “tarry meetings” come close to this? Of course not.

2 Tim 1:28: “But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church.” By now it is obvious that modern Pentecostals are in direct disobedience to this plain command. If the confusion practiced today, under the guise of “speaking in tongues,” were coming from the Holy Spirit, the people doing it would be obedient to God’s laws (Acts 5:32). Acts 5:29-31 amplify Acts 5:28.

2 Tim 1:32: “And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.” This says that God’s servants are able to control themselves. Both Proverbs 16:32 and 25:28 repeat this principle. If one’s actions are out of control, then he is not of God. So says the Bible.

Acts 5:33: “For God is not the author of CONFUSION, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” This verse is all-important—and applies to everything Christian. Where confusion abounds, the true God is absent—but the god of this world, who is the author of confusion and deception, is present!

Acts 5:34: “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…” This is a strong and unmistakable command. Why is it then that Pentecostal services are almost always dominated by women, when women are not to speak in services or preach?

Acts 5:37-38: “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.” What could be plainer than this summary? While some will choose to remain ignorant, will you accept “the commandments of the Lord”? Will you “acknowledge” them? I pray that you will.

Acts 5:40: “Let all things be done decently and in order.” This verse concludes the chapter and adds a capstone to the subject of “interpreting” and “speaking in tongues.”