Have you ever heard someone speaking in tongues?  It is very common among Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians.  It sounds something like a foreign language, but those uttering the sounds don’t know what they are saying.

The Pentecostals believe that “speaking in tongues” is evidence that a person has the Holy Spirit.  Why? Because in Mark 16:17 Jesus said that one of the signs of those who believe is speaking in tongues. 

Mar 16:17  And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

In Acts 10, when Peter went to Cornelius’s house, those who were with him recognised that the Holy Spirit had been given to the Gentiles because they spoke in tongues.  In Acts 19 when Paul came across some disciples who hadn’t heard about the Holy Spirit, they were baptised, received the Holy Spirit and started speaking in tongues. In 1 Cor. 14:2 it says if you speak in tongues you speak to God.  The Pentecostals believe that’s what they’re doing.  And in 1 Cor. 14:14 it says if you pray in tongues, your spirit prays.

The Pentecostals look at these Scriptures and believe that speaking in tongues is something they should do because to them it shows that they have received the Holy Spirit.  They believe that when they speak in tongues the Holy Spirit causes them to utter strange words which they don’t understand.

Are the Pentecostals correct?  What does the Bible mean by “Speaking in Tongues”? 

Definition

The first thing we need to do is look at the Greek word which is used in the expression “speaking in tongues”.  The Greek word translated tongues is glossa.  Glossa means either the tongue or a language.

An example of where glossa means tongue is found in Mark 7:33, where Christ healed a deaf and mute man:

Mark 7:33  And He [Christ] took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue [glossa].

An example of where glossa means language is found in Rev 7:9:

Rev 7:9  After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues [glossa], standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, …

There is nothing special about the meaning of the Greek word glossa.  It simply means tongue or language.

Acts 2

Let’s look at Acts 2 now, where a detailed account of speaking in tongues is given.  Acts 2 describes what happened on the Day of Pentecost shortly after Christ’s resurrection.

Acts 2:1  When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Acts 1 informs us that there were about 120 disciples gathered together, and that it was around 9 o’clock in the morning. 

Acts 2:2  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

Suddenly God gave His Holy Spirit to all 120 people in this group.  God drew attention to the giving of His Holy Spirit through a mighty rushing wind. 

Acts 2:3  Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.

Then God gave a visible manifestation in the form of a fire-like divided tongue which sat upon the head of every individual who received the Holy Spirit on this occasion.  This was an unmistakable sign to the 120 disciples. 

The visible manifestation of the giving of the Holy Spirit was intended as a witness to the 120 disciples and not to anyone else.  They were left in no doubt that Jesus Christ had fulfilled the promise he made earlier to send the Holy Spirit.  That promise we find in Acts 1:8.

Acts 1:8  “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; … “

Continuing in Acts 2:4, we come to speaking in tongues.

Acts 2:4  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues [glossa], as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The 120 disciples received God’s Spirit and began to speak in tongues [glossa] or different foreign languages. 

Acts 2:5  And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.
Acts 2:6  And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together …

The 120 disciples were making a sound, probably quite a loud sound because people outside the room, where they were gathered, could hear them.  The 120 disciples were speaking in tongues.  Later on, in the chapter, in verse 11, the Bible tells us they were talking about the wonderful works of God, no doubt that included talking about the wind and the fire they had just witnessed.

Acts 2:6  And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.

The people in this crowd came from many different regions.  Each one heard the disciples speak in his own native language.  Verse 6 tells us there was a miracle in the hearing.  This verse also makes it clear that “speaking in tongues” is speaking in known languages, because the people in the crowd recognised their own native language.

We have ascertained from the Scriptures that speaking in tongues is:

1. A miracle in the hearing.
2. Speaking in known languages.

Continuing in Acts 2:7.

Acts 2:7  Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?
Acts 2:8  “And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?
Acts 2:9  “Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
Acts 2:10  “Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
Acts 2:11  “Cretans and Arabs; we hear them speaking in our own tongues [glossa] the wonderful works of God.”

These verses again make it clear that “speaking in tongues” is speaking in known languages.

Let’s try and put it in the context of today.  If a native English speaker, who speaks only English, started speaking in tongues what would it be like?  As far as the English speaker is concerned, he would just speak in English, because English is the only language he knows.  But a native of Poland listening to him would hear Polish.  A native of Germany listening to him would hear German, and a native of Greece listening to him would hear Greek.  The native English speaker is just speaking English but all these other people would hear him in their native language.

Clearly this is a miracle in the hearing.

This passage in Acts 2 shows speaking in tongues is:

1. A miracle in the hearing.
2. Speaking in known languages.

Pentecostal “proof” Scriptures

Considering what we have covered so far, let us look now at the Scriptures which the Pentecostals use.

First “proof” reference

The first one is found in Acts 10:46.  This is when Peter and some of the other Jewish Christians went to Cornelius’s house.  Cornelius was a gentile.

Acts 10:46  For they heard them [Cornelius and his household] speak with tongues [glossa] and magnify God. Then Peter answered,
Acts 10:47  “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 
Acts 10:48  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.

What was this “speaking in tongues”?  Was it speaking in unrecognisable sounds?  No, it was the same thing that happened on the Day of Pentecost.  As people were praising God, everyone heard what was being said in their own native language.

Why did God do this?  The thinking of the Jews at that time was that God was only working with them.  They had a hard time understanding that God was calling gentiles into His church.  That’s why God gave Peter the vision of the sheet with all kinds of animals in it.  In fact, that’s earlier in this same chapter.

God gave the disciples His Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, and one of the manifestations of the Holy Spirit Peter experienced was speaking in tongues.  Here in this passage, God gave Cornelius and his household His Holy Spirit, and to show Peter what He had done, God performed the same miracle, speaking in tongues.

The speaking in tongues here in Acts 10 is the same as that in Acts 2.  God did this to show to Peter and the Jewish Christians that He was calling gentiles into His Church. 

Second “proof” reference

Another Scripture which the Pentecostals use found in Acts 19:6.  This is when Paul came across some disciples who hadn’t heard about the Holy Spirit.  They were baptised, received the Holy Spirit and started speaking in tongues.

Acts 19:1  And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples
Acts 19:2  he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”

Acts 19:5  … they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 19:6  And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues [glossa] and prophesied.

The Greek word translated “prophesied” can mean speaking under inspiration.  No doubt they started praising God.  The same thing happened here as happened on the Day of Pentecost.  They spoke in their own native language and others heard them in their own different native language.

Third “proof” reference

Another Scripture which the Pentecostals use is found in Mark 16:17. 

Mark 16:17  “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues [glossa];

They will speak with new tongues just means they will speak languages other than their native language.  This is what happened in the passages we have just covered in the book of Acts. 

The other Scriptures which the Pentecostals use are found in 1 Corinthians 14.  We will cover them a little later.

The book of 1 Corinthians is the other main place where “speaking in tongues” is mentioned.  In this book Paul corrects the Corinthians regarding various problems they had.  One of their problems was chaos during church services.

The Manifestations of the Holy Spirit

In 1 Corinthians 12:7 Paul speaks about the manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

1 Cor 12:7  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 

In other words, the Holy Spirit is manifested in various ways for everyone’s benefit.

1 Cor 12:8  for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 
1 Cor 12:9  to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 
1 Cor 12:10  to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues [glossa], to another the interpretation of tongues [glossa]. 
1 Cor 12:11  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

Paul is saying that there are different ways in which the Holy Spirit is manifested for all to see.  He lists 9 different ways. 

There is something a bit odd here.  We have the speaking in tongues which we have talked about.  But now Paul mentions interpretation of tongues.  The speaking in tongues mentioned in the book of Acts didn’t require interpretation.  Everyone heard what was being said in their own language. 

What’s going on here?  We need to turn to 1 Corinthians 14 to find out.  The first part of 1 Corinthians 14 is all about speaking in tongues. Let us go through 1 Corinthians 14 verse by verse.

1 Corinthians Chapter 14

1 Cor 14:1  Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

Prophesy can mean inspired preaching and teaching (as well as foretelling events).  This verse says we should especially desire the gift of being able to teach others in a way which helps them.  Of course to do that a person must speak in a common language, that is, one that is understood by the hearers.

1 Cor 14:2  For he who speaks in a tongue [glossa] does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

This is one of the verses the Pentecostals use.  They say when they speak in tongues they are speaking to God in some special mysterious way.  But is that what this verse means?  No.

This verse is saying if you speak in a foreign language that no one understands, then only God will understand you, and to everyone else what you’re saying is a mystery.

In these first two verses Paul compares teaching in a common language (which is helpful to people) and speaking in a foreign language (which isn’t helpful to people).

1 Cor 14:3  But he who prophesies [teaches in a common language] speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.

Those who teach in a common language are clearly understood and what they say can help others.

1 Cor 14:4  He who speaks in a tongue [glossa – a foreign language] edifies himself, but he who prophesies [teaches in a common language] edifies the church.

Those who speak in a foreign language benefit themselves; but those who teach in a common language benefit the church.

1 Cor 14:5  I wish you all spoke with tongues [glossa – foreign languages], but even more that you prophesied [taught in a common language]; for he who prophesies [teaches in a common language] is greater than he who speaks with tongues [glossa – foreign languages], unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

Paul mentions interpretation here.  He’s going to explain in this chapter what he means by interpretation.

Paul is not against speaking in a foreign language; it is just that inspired preaching in a common language is much more valuable.  The only time there is any value in speaking in a foreign language in a preaching situation is when there is someone available who can interpret what the speaker is saying.

1 Cor 14:6  But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues [glossa – foreign languages], what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?

If I speak in a foreign language, what I say must still be profitable. 

1 Cor 14:7  Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played?
1 Cor 14:8  For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle?

Even musical instruments must be played to make a meaningful sound.  In other words, by analogy, “speaking in tongues” must be meaningful.  Apparently, this was not the case with some who “spoke in tongues” in Corinth.

1 Cor 14:9  So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue [glossa] words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.

Likewise, unless you speak words which are easy to be understood, you will be speaking into the air (wasting your breath).

1 Cor 14:10  There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance.

Every language is used somewhere by people to communicate.

1 Cor 14:11  Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me.

If neither the speaker nor the hearer understands each other, then they are foreigners.  They can’t communicate with each other.

1 Cor 14:12  Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.

Our desire for spiritual gifts should be for the purpose of serving and helping others.

1 Cor 14:13  Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue [glossa – a foreign language] pray that he may interpret.

If someone preaches in a foreign language, they should make sure that there is someone to interpret the message. 

1 Cor 14:14  For if I pray in a tongue [glossa – a foreign language], my spirit prays, but my understanding [nous] is unfruitful.

This is one of the verses the Pentecostals use.  They say when they speak in tongues, they are praying to God even though they don’t know what they are saying. 

What does this mean?  If I pray in a foreign language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.  The Greek word for “understanding” is nous, which means understanding or mind. 

This verse could perhaps be better translated:

1 Cor 14:14 For if I pray in a foreign language, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

In other words, if I pray out loud in a language that no one else understands, even though I pray with my heart and with feeling, my mental effort is unfruitful because no one else can understand it.  For example, if a native German speaker prays in church in German, and no one else understands German, even though he prays with his heart and feeling, his mental effort is wasted because no one can understand him.

1 Cor 14:15  What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding [nous]. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding [nous].

What then?  I will pray with my spirit (with my heart and with feeling), and I will also pray with understanding (so that others may understand), and likewise with singing.

1 Cor 14:16  Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?

Otherwise if you praise God with your spirit (with your heart and feeling) only, without others understanding, how will they be able to say “Amen”?  Thinking of the example above of the native German speaker praying in church, no one can understand him, so how can they say “Amen”?

1 Cor 14:17  For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.

You give thanks, but it is not helpful to others who don’t understand.

1 Cor 14:18  I thank my God I speak with tongues [glossa – foreign languages] more than you all;

Paul spoke more languages than anyone in Corinth.

1 Cor 14:19  yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue [glossa – a foreign language].

Paul would rather speak five words which others could understand, than 10,000 words in a foreign language which people could not understand.

1 Cor 14:20  Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.

Brethren do not be children in your thinking.  Be innocent like children but be mature in your thinking.

1 Cor 14:21  In the law it is written: “With men of other tongues [heteroglossos] and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,” says the Lord.

This is a quote from Isa 28:11-12.

Isa 28:11  For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people,
Isa 28:12  To whom He said, “This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,” And, “This is the refreshing”; Yet they would not hear.

Paul changes tack a little here.  He quotes these verses from Isaiah which say that God has spoken to people in different languages, but nevertheless they still rejected God’s message.  Paul uses this quote to show in the very next verse that speaking in tongues is a sign for those who don’t hear Him, that is, for unbelievers.

1 Cor 14:22  Therefore tongues [glossa] are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying [inspired preaching in a common language] is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.

Think back to what we read happened on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 when the 120 disciples spoke in tongues.  The speaking in tongues then was a sign for the unbelievers.  This miraculous sign got the crowd’s attention.  Then Peter was then able to preach to the crowd.  So here, Paul means that the miracle of speaking in tongues (which is really a miracle in the hearing) is a sign for unbelievers.  And, preaching (in a common language) is for believers.

1 Cor 14:23  Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?

It looks like the Corinthian church was trying to replicate what happened on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2.  But this time there was no miracle in the hearing.  Instead people were all speaking different languages at once, and the church service was chaotic.  That’s why a few verses later in this chapter Paul gives instructions on how the church service should be run. 

For example, consider the following.  Say someone gives a message in Greek in one corner of the room, and all the Greeks gather around him.  And then someone starts speaking in Italian in a different corner at the same time, and all the Italians gather around him, and likewise for the Germans in another corner and the English in yet another corner.  Then if an unbeliever enters the room and sees four messages being given at the same time in different languages, he will think the believers are crazy.

1 Cor 14:24  But if all prophesy [speak in a common language], and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.

If all the speakers at church services give messages in the common language, and then an outsider comes in, he will be convicted by what he hears.

1 Cor 14:25  And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.

The truth of God will convict him in his heart, and he will worship God.

1 Cor 14:26  How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

There was chaos and confusion at services.  Paul now sets out some instructions to rectify the chaos.

1 Cor 14:27  If anyone speaks in a tongue [glossa], let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.

If there really are people present who only speak a foreign language, but have a message for the brethren, then at the most let two or three speak at one meeting; and then only one after the other and also only if an interpreter is available for each one of these speakers.  It appears that in Corinth several people would speak simultaneously, thus causing confusion.

1 Cor 14:28  But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

Paul is saying, don’t let someone speak in a foreign language in Church if there is no one available to interpret.   For example, if there was a visiting minister from Italy, then he shouldn’t preach in Italian unless there is someone who can interpret what he preaches into English.

Paul has now explained what he means by the interpretation of tongues.  It’s just an interpretation of a foreign language spoken by the preacher into the common language understood by the hearers.  And the speaking in tongues is speaking a foreign language, such as Italian or German.  This is different to the miraculous speaking in tongues which happened on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2.  One is not a miracle.  The other is a miracle — a miracle in the hearing.

1 Cor 14:29  Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.

Let two or three different teachers speak at one church service.  The rest of the congregation should listen and evaluate what is said, like the Bereans who searched the Scriptures to find out whether what they heard was true.

1 Cor 14:30  But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent.

If the preacher speaks on a subject he really doesn’t know much about, and there is someone else who has a better understanding, then the latter should speak and former keep quiet. 

1 Cor 14:31  For you can all prophesy [teach] one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.

Those who have something worthwhile to say should have the opportunity to speak, for the benefit of the whole congregation. 

1 Cor 14:32  And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

When prophets spoke in the past, they always spoke in accordance with what was written in the law and prophets.  Those speaking and teaching today must likewise speak in accordance with the law and prophets, that is, the Bible.

1 Cor 14:33  For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

The purpose of the instructions Paul gives in this chapter is to avoid confusion, because God is not the author of confusion.

1 Cor 14:34  Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.
1 Cor 14:35  And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.

Women are instructed not to preach during Church services.  It seems that some women were preaching at Corinth.

1 Cor 14:36  Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached?

Paul lets them know that this instruction is directly from God.

1 Cor 14:37  If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

If anyone claims to understand the truth of God, let him acknowledge that the instructions Paul gives in this chapter are the commandments of God.

1 Cor 14:38  But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

In other words, don’t waste your time arguing with those who disagree with these instructions.

1 Cor 14:39  Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy [teach], and do not forbid to speak with tongues [glossa].

So, desire to teach and to edify other people.  And if there is someone who speaks in a foreign language (e.g. a travelling Church member from another part of the world), then let him speak according to the instructions Paul gives here.

1 Cor 14:40  Let all things be done decently and in order.

Remember; always conduct church services in a decent and orderly fashion.

In conclusion, Acts 2 shows that speaking in tongues is:

1. A miracle in the hearing.
2. Speaking in known languages.

God performed this miracle in the hearing after giving His Holy Spirit to gentile converts to show the disciples that He was now working with everyone, not just Jews.  In 1 Corinthians 14 Paul explains a different type of speaking in tongues.  This one is not a miracle of the hearing, but one that requires interpretation.