Spiritual Gifts Described in 1Cor 12-14

It was recently brought to my attention by the Spirit of God that I had received a teaching years ago on speaking in tongues. I accepted this teaching as truth, and as many Christians, or human beings for that matter, I never really dug into the Word of God to verify it as truth.

Immediately I came to repentance and asked God to reveal to me the truth as I embarked on this adventure into 1 Corinthians to allow God to show me by His Spirit of Truth that biblical meaning of the Gift of Tongues.

The revelation I received about the topic of tongues I truly believed is based completely on my desire to allow God to teach me regardless of what I thought I already knew.

I praise the Lord that He is merciful and did not let me continue in the darkness of my own wisdom.

In a nutshell I found that the Greek definition of togues as found in the strongs #1100 is a "supernaturally acquired language"

This definition is used throughout the entire New Testament, in EVERY reference of the New Testament Book, except ONE. Which refence is that? It is in 1Corinthians 14:21. Here Paul uses the word tongues referencing the Book of Isaiah and the word tongues means - "a foreigner, or from a different land"

So the gift of the supernaturally acquiring a language goes in direct correlation to the events that unfolded in every refence to tongues in the book of Acts. Paul uses the same meaning as did Luke in the book of Acts. There is no difference, and the reference Paul makes to the book of Isaiah in 1Corinthians 14:21 confirms the use of that word.

So it is a known earthly language, not unintelligable speech!

So when Paul says in Chapter 14 of 1Corinthians that he who prays in a tongue and does so without interpretation has his mind without understanding,unless you ask God to give you interpretation.
He goes on the say...what shall I do then,
Well, if I don't understand what I am saying then,I will speak in my native language even though I have the gift of tongues, so that I will be able to pray by the Spirit of God, and at the same time with my understanding, and also those who are hearing my prayer will be able to say AMEN! and be in agreement with me.

Also..and this was one of the biggest revelations of my study..the word UNKOWN was added to the original greek text. So when Paul says if I speak in unknown tongues for example in chapter 14.....the text really reads...if I speak in a supernaturally acquired language...

Remarkable...so many grasp on to the word UNKNOWN and run with it to make their doctrine of unintelligable prayer language directed to God from man fit to man's understanding. But the word UNKNOWN was never found in the book of 1 Corinthians.

Lastly I found that in every instance in Acts,and in Pauls explaination on the use of the Gift of Tongues it is God speaking to man and revealing to man the woderful works of God.

In Acts 2 the Apostles were not addressing the multitudes. They were addressing God as the Spirit of God gave them the utterance of the marvelous works and wonders of God. PETER was the one that addressed the multitudes. The same in Acts 10 and Acts 19.

So when people say...this is my private prayer language because I don't know what to pray for....there is no biblical teaching that supports that unintelligable speech from man to God in petition and prayer.

However my brothers and sisters, I would add this, God judges the hearts of men. I know that so many do practice unintelligable speech out of a true desire to commune with God. Those to blame are the teachers that go one teaching this interpretation or any interpretation of scripture without ever digging in the Word first, line upone line precept upon precept, here a little there a little, with the willingness to put aside everything they know as truth all for the Glory of God.

May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering!

Desi Jr

Also..and this was one of the biggest revelations of my study..the word UNKOWN was added to the original greek text. So when Paul says if I speak in unknown tongues for example in chapter 14.....the text really reads...if I speak in a supernaturally acquired language...

Remarkable...so many grasp on to the word UNKNOWN and run with it to make their doctrine of unintelligable prayer language directed to God from man fit to man's understanding. But the word UNKNOWN was never found in the book of 1 Corinthians.

Indeed, "unknown" is something various translations have employed in order to better help the reader understand what is being said. It is not in the original greek. However, it is clear from the context that the tongue being spoken is unknown:

1 Cor 14:10 There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning. 11 If then I [b]do not know the meaning of the language[/b], I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me. 12 So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church. 13 [b][u]Therefore[/u] let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.[/b]

Notice how in verse 11 the person speaking in tongues does "not know" the language they are speaking, and those who he speaks to will consider him a barbarian because of the speech that is not understood. Thus, the tongue is "unknown." So, when various translations have inserted "unknown" throughout 1 Cor 14, while not demanded to understand the passage, is a perfectly acceptable thing for a translator to do to help clarify what is said contextually.

Because the utterance given in tongues is not known, Paul therefore says in vs 13 that an interpretation should be prayed for, otherwise, nobody is going to get anything out of it, as what is being said will be "unknown."

So it is a known earthly language, not unintelligable speech!

It may indeed be an earthly language, but frankly, with the thousands of languages that have existed over the years, not to mention local dialects, it is going to probably be a rare thing that anybody understands what is being spoken without the supernatural aid of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2 seems to be the exception, not the rule. As if people understood what was being said, there would be no need for the gift of interpreting tongues as seen in 1 Cor 14.

However, I have personally heard testimonies of individuals hearing people speak in tongues, and actually know what was being said by that person, though the person speaking the tongue had no clue as to what they were saying.

...this is my private prayer language because I don't know what to pray for....there is no biblical teaching that supports that unintelligable speech from man to God in petition and prayer.

You are speaking contrary to:

1 Cor 14:14 For if I [b][u]pray[/u] in a tongue[/b], my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

1 Cor 14:28 but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; [u]and let him speak to himself and to God.[/u]

Therefore, the gift of speaking in unknown tongues is used as a form of prayer to God.

Desi Jr.

You are absolutely correct in your interpretation of the Word of God. This statement does not make me and authority, but the Spirit has said the same to me. Amen?

1 Corinthians 14:13-16 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?

13 and 14 are not a permission of Paul to speak thus. They are pessimistic warning against this practice in think this is a gift that builds up body. That is why 15 and 16 clarify, speak in the spirit and being in the spirit, The Holy Spirit in you will always speak that which brings forth understanding and fruit unto initial salvation or working out our salvation with fear and trembling, not using a gift that does not exist and say it does.

He that is in the room might be edified to upbuilding of the Body of Christ in speaking, blessing, singing in the spirit with understanding. Paul says all this wrong speaking does is build up oneself. That is the pride of man being used by the Satan of darkness.

1 Corinthians 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

1 Corinthians 14:9 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.

Also Paul says grow up. Amen. 1 Corinthians 14:19-20 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. Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

If you don't know what to Pray, the Holy Spirit does and He will speak to God for us. Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Amen Desi Jr.

In Christ: Phillip

My dear brother in Christ,
Context is key. So....lets look at the context of the entire book of 1Corinthians....Paul pleads with the church to grow up. He tells them in Chapter 3 that he understands that they wish to be spiritual...and he wished to speak to them in a spiritual way. But he goes on to tell them that they are not spiritual because they are still babies that don't understand yet the foundation teachings of Christ. He continues in chapters 12-14 to plead with them to grow up in their thinking.

So contextually you must read chapters 12-14 as chapters of rebuking and reproofing...in other words they are misunderstanding the use of tongues. Paul never separates the Gift of tongues into different types of uses. It's always the same use....to speak the wonderful works of God as the Spirit reveals them to the speaker. Paul verifies that the speaker does not understand these things he will utter...but he should if speaks them outloud.

I urge you my brother...that when you read the scriptures you read the entire book as a whole and not extrapolate the texts or verses that fit what you want it to believe. It is my wholehearted OPINION that ever person who speaks in unintelligable speech and uses it as a prayer language to God is doing so with a heart to really commune with God...HOWEVER... I am 10% sure that the teaching of the Holy Spirit and HOW to speak in tongues was taught to you by man first...then you just made it fit with a few scripture verses here and there. This happens all the time. A teacher or preacher introduces a doctrine...and if everyone seems to go along with it...well then IT MUST BE TRUE. And no one ever bothers to say..well let me see what God says before I adopt this doctrine.

To address your quoting of Paul in chapter 14...can I ask you a question regarding context?

Why are you dismissing in chapter 12 when he clearly states that not everyone will perform in these giftings of the Holy Ghost? In the beginning of chapters 12 and again in 14 he has not changed the subject...its still the same...gifts of the Spirit. But then we go and say...well it does'nt mean that here...why not?
It's the same topic. And again....the word unknown is not in the original hebrew text. ITS NOT THERE. And again the greek tranlation for the word tongues in every reference in the entire New Testament means....a supernaturally acquired language. Which fits perfectly with all of the Acts references of tongues. Please brother...don't let your zealousness for God overshadow his truth.

I love you,
Desi, Jr.

Two questions: When the Holy Spirit brings truth to you about the scriptures does He speak to you with understanding or a heavenly language you don't understand?

If when we pray and don't know what to pray and we with understanding from the word, know that the Holy Spirit is praying for us, why are we speaking into the air in a gibberish that even we don't understand, do we think because we are making sounds that God understands what we are saying when we don't?

1Cr 14:14 For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

Then why pray at all. My spirit is not what must be edified, but the Spirit of Christ that is in us, it is His Body the Church, not ours. Build up what? Not self.

In Christ: Phillip

Mabey this might help;

One day I found myself utterly confused about "tougues" in 1 cor 14:12. Compared to Acts 2 it was obviously not talking about the same gift of toungues. Let me explain.

1. In Acts chpt 2 all the people who heard the galieans speaking heard them in thier language.

Man Speaks -----> all languages understand.

2. In 1 Cor 14:12, there is an aparent need for an interpreter!

Man speaks ----->One person understands.

Well in Acts chapter 2 there was no need for an interpreter because the people were speaking with the gift of toungues. In 1 Cor 14:12, there was a need for an interpreter because some body was speaking in a language which needed interpretation!

A debate that we won't hear the end of until we meet in the Kingdom. I know of very solid men of God who stood and stand on both sides. Although I don't agree with John R Rice down to every detail, I lean towards his teaching in which he basically said that tongues was a language given supernaturally for someone to hear the gospel.

If you don't agree and love Jesus, so be it, let's both serve God.

ta,

Before I post, brother, remember I am not hard and fast about this view, but you are asking to best explain these verses, and this is the best teaching I have heard on the matter, but I am by no means claiming to be an expert on the subject.

1 Cor 14:2 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.

The same word translated into tongue (glossa) in this passage is used 7 out of 8 times in the book of Revelation to refer to languages, and once to refer to the literal tongue. The books of Acts and Corinthians are the ones debated about so much, so using the other NT books, that same word is always used to speak about the literal tongue, someone's mouth, or a language.

Here is Acts for for the first four cases glossa is used:

2:3 it was something that could be seen above their heads

2:4 and 2:11 very clearly an earthly language that was understood by foreign listeners

2:26 the mouth

I am giving you my unbiased opinion, now. I have very close friends who speak in tongues. When I read this Scripture you refer to, I see Paul telling the Corinthians not to speak in a language that others can't understand. He is telling them not to try to recreate what happened on Pentecost for the sake of trying to impress anyone. And for that matter, that could apply whether you believe it is an earthly or heavenly language.

1 Cor 14:4 "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church."

Same for this verse.

What I see from taking the Greek and English on a level playing field, taking into consideration the other 26 times the word is used to judge the 21 that are under so much debate (the last two verses glossa is used in Acts and the 26 times it is used in 1 Cor 12-14), I end up leaning heavily toward the idea that it is a gift from above, but a language that is intended for someone to hear, as it happened in Acts 2.

If you believe God did something new with the case of Cornelius and when Paul laid hands on people, then so be it. But I believe the Scripture refers to a supernaturally-given language in order to get the gospel out to all nations, in the case of Acts 2, and in Acts 10, 19, and Cor 12-14.

Same greek, doesn't change what it still says.

"Edifies himself, not speaking unto men, but unto God". You can't avoid that.

A 'language' is simply a form of communication to SOMETHING.

Animals have 'language', So do angels, so do demons, and so does God.

Just like humans God has different 'languages' (including all of our human ones plus his own)

Your case saying that because of the greek word 'tongues', isn't solid. I ask that you use cement instead of mud. ;-)

Pentacostals just say 'tongues' cause it's their definition. But in all truth, it's simply a language as you said. But not always to man.

Some people try to 'teach' people how to speak in 'tongues' and that is simply demonic and flesh in nature. (Unless it's an actual language such as Spanish, English, Latin, etc.)

The bible speaks of 'different languages'. Now you might think that's 'men languages' but I think it's more complex than that (not much)

1. Prayer language
2. Needed interupter (to church)
3. To further the Gospel. (Acts 2)

The 1st and 2nd are described in 1 Cor.14

In chapter 14, Paul says he desires to speak in prophesy than in tongues because TONGUES DOESN"T PROFIT ANOTHER PERSON. (Read 14 a few times, I think within the 5 times, you should get the understanding to the text)

Now, if tongues was simply as you said (letsgetbusy) a man language, then tongues WOULD profit someone. Just as me and you are speaking, it's profiting each other. But if I wrote this reply to you in Latin, you'd probly wouldn't be able to understand it (neither would i..lol)therefore, it wouldn't profit you. And I also ask 'Why did Paul desire prophesy above tongues?' Why??

I hope that helps.

There is a tongue that needs interprertation and edifies the Body of Christ corporately, and then there is a tongue that edifies and builds up the inner man which is done in private. 1 Cor 14 makes that obvious. Paul thanked God he spoke in tongues more than everyone and he encouraged the Corinthians to speak in tongues.

Who knows. Maybe one day I could start speaking in tongues and come back and say you guys are right, but in the meantime, here are some old saints that seemed to lean the way I lean on this subject at the moment:

Geneva Bible on 1 Cor 14:2 - He reprehends their perverse judgment concerning the gift of tongues. For why was it given? The answer: so that the mysteries of God might be the better known to a greater number.

I think when Paul was saying that one that speaks in an unknown tongues edifies himself, I don't think it was a stamp of approval on speaking to build oneself up, but rather to speak in a language that 'all of us' can all understand.

John Gill on 1 Cor 12:10 - To another divers kinds of tongues;

whereby such could speak all manner of languages, which they had never learned, understood, and been used to: this Christ promised his disciples, when he sent them into all the world to preach the Gospel, (Mark 16:16,17) and so anticipates an objection they otherwise might have made, [b]how they should be able to preach it to all, so as to be understood, when they were not acquainted with the languages of all nations[/b] ; an instance of which we have in the apostles on the day of Pentecost, (Acts 2:4) and which continued many years after with them, and other persons in the churches; see (1 Corinthians 13:2) (14:5,22).

Matthew Henry on the same:

another divers kinds of tongues, or ability to speak languages by inspiration.— To another the interpretation of tongues, or ability to render foreign languages readily and properly into their own.

Wesley on 1 Cor 14:

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaks, in effect, not to men, but to God - Who alone understands him...Edifieth himself - Only, on the most favourable supposition.

I had not read Wesley's interpretation of this Scripture before, but it seems he saying the same thing I am. That the phrase 'edifieth himself' is not a stamp of approval, but pointing out the silliness of speaking a language others can't understand in a church service.

I understand your veiwpoint, and I have drifted back and forth from one view to the other, and various views within the divisions. I just have rested on this one for the moment, but like I said, something could persuade me different, or I may stay here until we all meet in glory.

But, brother, what I do want you to see is that someone who doesn't agree with you is not necessarily ignoring Scripture, he is just interpreting them differently. I tried to go through the Scriptures that you asked about to prove that point, that I am not avoiding any of the Scriptures on the matter, but rather taking them all into consideration.

All this said, what kind of language was spoken in Acts 2; a language of heaven, or an earthly language?

"And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?"

Letsgetbusy. I like your humility. You've stated in the past two posts that your open to it. That to me, is great. Many people who discuss this, try to argue it and are stubborn and don't care to make changes if they find a fault in their doctrine, but you show humility, willingness to change, and to me that is commendable. Very commendable.

I have little time to discuss this with everyone. But bring your heart before God and He will teach you what His word said. You have enough humility to receive it (baptism of the Spirit, not nessecarily tongues) from God on your alone time. I challenge you, press in DEEPLY and ask Him on the matter.

i wish we had less christians who spoke in tounges and more who were humble and loved one another in the church..