1 Corinthians is very different in it's relating the gift of speaking in tongues, compared with the book of Acts. While Acts is a narrative, 1 Corinthians is a letter Paul wrote to the church of Corinth which he had visited, but had since fallen into such serious sin as division between its members (chapter 1 and 3), sexual immorality (chapter 5 and 6), trivial lawsuits between the members (chapter 6), idolatry (chapter 10)and abuse of the Lord's Supper (chapter 11). Despite the church not lacking any spiritual gift (1: 7), they were rotten to the core. Paul was grieved, and felt the need to write and plead with the church about what they were doing.
One of the subjects he writes about is spiritual gifts, and the gift of tongues gets prominent mention in chapters 12 and 14. However, there are a couple of things we should keep in mind before we start studying these parts of God's Word.
For a start, as was just stated previously, 1 Corinthians is, in essence, a letter of critism. Constructive critism, certainly, but a book of critical analysis all the same. That's not to say Paul does nothing but condemn. His critism is one of encouragement, love and advice. But it is still a letter that is highly critical of the Corinthians' church practices, including the use of their spiritual gifts.
Remember also, as I mentioned in Part 1, we should read every verse in context. We should not take out verses on their own, but read them in context with the verses around them. This is essential, particularly if we are to understand some of the things 1 Corinthians says about speaking in tongues - or doesn't say.
In fact, I would advise you now to read right through 1 Cortinthians chapters 12, 13 and 14. Or even better, read a couple of chapters before and after them as well. If possible, read the whole book. Get the feel of Paul's letter. Get into the understanding of what he is writing about, and the approach he has. This is how The Bible is meant to be read. It is true that we can remember isolated verses to help us, and they can speak undeniable truth on their own, but The Bible is also a book, and it is totally reasonable to read it as such.
The first mention of the gift of tongues in 1 Corinthians appears in chapter 12: verse 10. "To another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues."
Chapter 12 is the commencement of Paul speaking about spiritual gifts. Earlier, Paul tells us that "there are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit" and "there are different kinds of service, but the same Lord" and "there are different kinds of working, but the same God works in all of them in all men." He then goes on to tell us from verse 7, "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 means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kids of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines."
This passage tells us very clearly that the Holy Spirit dispenses God's gifts upon His people whenever He wills, and different people will get different gifts. Some might have a gift of prophecy, some might have a gift of healing, and some might have the gift of tongues. We can see that Paul is certainly encouraging these gifts, but the suggestion is that not everyone can expect to have them all.
The rest of chapter 12 speaks about the body of Christ, emphasizing that we all have different roles to play, with different abilities. Verse 18 states, "But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body." We can clearly see Paul telling us that God wants the gifts and our abilities to vary from person to person for the sake of church growth.
Tongues is next spoken about right at the end of this chapter, and is in similar vain to the last mention. Paul is continuing his writing on different gifts for different people. Verse 27 - 30, "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?"
We see Paul stays with the same theme, that of different gifts for different people. We see first that Paul again points out that some will be teachers, some will be healers, some will speak in tongues, etc, and his questioning at the end is clearly rhetorical, expecting an answer of "no". Not everyone can expect to have these gifts.
A reasonable question could come up from this though. One of the gifts mentioned is "those able to help others." If we are to follow Paul's theme that not everyone will have each gift, then it sounds like Paul is saying not everyone has the ability to help others, and yet we are taught throughout the Bible to love others as ourselves, to go out of our way to care for not only our loved ones, but our enemies. We can see that we must all have the ability to help others, since God continually commands us to do this in His Word. Likewise, verse 10 of this chapter says that one of the gifts is "distinguishing between spirits", and yet 1 John 4: 1 commands all to "...test the spirits to see whether they are from God..." Does Paul mean we can't all actually do this?
Remember, we should always compare Scripture with Scripture, and we know that God does want all of us to help others, and discern spirits when necessary. It seems that Paul might have been suggesting that there will be particular people who will be extremely gifted at helping others, and discerning spirits; more so than others. We all will have the abilities to, but someone will be exceptionally gifted in that way.
We then could hear the argument, "Well, couldn't that be the same way with the rest of the gifts listed then, like tongues?" It could be, but then we would have to come to the conclusion that everyone has at least a reasonable ability to be prophets, preach and heal others, but we know that is not the case, and God also never commands all people to do such things as heal others and work miracles.
It is very clear in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 that Paul was encouraging the use of spiritual gifts, but it wasn't for every person to have them all, God imparting them on His children as He sees fit. We can also come to the conclusion, from what we understand elsewhere in The Bible, that Paul wasn't saying that only a select group of people would have the ability to help people and discern spirits.
Before we move on, I would just like to acknowledge that there might be some people questioning the mention of apostles, healers,workers of miracles, etc here. I know that these are very controversial subjects too, with various opinions. I don't want to concentrate on them here, as that is another debate in itself. We will not talk now about whether there are people today who have the gift to heal others, or whether there are still apostles today. In short, we are not studying all the spiritual gifts, but the gift of tongues. And we will discuss, in time, whether tongues is still for today.
As we regard the passage we have just studied, and apply it to what we have learnt about tongues in Acts, we can see an interesting factor.
In Acts, we saw that the gift of tongues seemed to be primarily a sign to show unbelievers that people had received the Holy Spirit, as well as as an act of prophecying. It always happened just as the baptism of the Holy Spirit took place. But in 1 Corinthians chapter 12, it seems clear that tongues didn't JUST appear at such an event. The gift of tongues seemed to be a gift that was used in the churches throughout their ministries. It was looked upon as a regular gift like all the others.
After chapter 12, Paul goes on to write one of the most beautiful chapters in the whole Bible. Chapter 13 deals with love, and is a breathtaking, lovely piece that, really, deserves to be learnt by heart.
Tongues are mentioned a couple of times, however. The first time is in the very first verse of chapter 13: "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal."
Paul here was starting to speak about no matter how many various gifts people might have, or good deeds they might do, these things were useless if the people didn't have love. He says if he speaks in the tongues of men and angels, but have not love, he is all noise and no depth - no love.
Now, there seems to be a belief amongst some Christians that this verse means that the gift of speaking in tongues is a kind of angelic language, since Paul suggested speaking in the tongues of angels. Let's consider this.
For a start, we must remember that, up to this stage, we know that the gift of tongues is human, earthly languages, and we have seen nothing so far to change our minds on that. Is Paul now saying that tongues can also be an unidentifyable angelic language? For a start, we see that Paul uses the word "if". He doesn't say he does speak in the tongues of angels, but "if" he does. In verse 2, Paul goes on to say, "If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." Now, while we know Paul did have the gift of prophecy, we also know he did not fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, as no human ever knew everything. Therefore, it's reasonable to assume that Paul was talking hypothetically in this instance. He might do these things, he might not. But if he did do them all, but had no love, he would be nothing.
We could also consider what the tongues of angels mean. Whenever angels are mentioned in the Bible, they seem to speak normal, Earthly languages. There is never any time when an interpreter is needed. The people visited by the angels always understand the language they are hearing, so there's nothing to tell us that angels have a special language we are not aware of on Earth.
One might then question, though, the distinction Paul seems to make between tongues of men and angels. Why did he say both, if angels speak the tongues of men? This isn't easy to understand, but it could be just Paul's way of emphasizing a point, speaking about both human beings and angels who speak. Remember, Paul says, "if I... can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge", which really are two very similar things as well. One imagines Paul is just trying to put very strong emphasis into his writing.
Tongues is mentioned once more in this chapter, and that is in verse 8: "Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away."
If we assume that Paul was speaking about the gift of tongues, rather than just talking in general (and keeping with the theme of this section of the Bible, oen would imagine this is so), Paul is saying here that tongues, like prophecy and knowledge, will eventually stop. Saying knowledge will pass away sounds very strange, but again, it could be Paul's way of emphasizing the power of love; how it will never, ever end. He says, however, that tongues will be stilled. Some people take this to mean that speaking of tongues is not for today, as they have now been stilled, but there's no indication here as to when this is to occur. People who believe that then have to agree that prophecy (remembering that prophecy can just mean teaching) and knowledge also aren't for today, which we know isn't true.
We cannot know for sure when these things will happen, as Paul does not tell us, so we cannot, from this passage, assume that tongues are not for today.
Chapter 14 of 1 Corinthians contains the last passages of speaking in tongues in the Bible. This is the chapter where most of the controversy seems to stem from, and we need to study it very carefully. I have already suggested that this chapter, and those around it, should be read right through, and I again advise this is done. Certain modern beliefs about tongues stem from a few isolated lines in this chapter, but we must remember to read everything in context.
The first mention of tongues in this chapter is verse 2: "For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit."
This passage seems to tell us that when people speak in tongues, they are not speaking to men, and cannot be understood by men. They are speaking to God instead. And yet, so far, we have learnt that speaking in tongues is understood by men, although the fact that tongues sometimes led to praising of God suggests that they could be used for speaking to God.
Many, many Christians today believe this means tongues is a very important tool for speaking to God. Is this so? Let's read further...
The words immediately following this verse say, "But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church."
A very important word seems to be missed by a lot of people when studying this chapter, and that word is "but". It is very important to understand the tone of this chapter. Let's read back again: "For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophecies edifies the church." Verse 5 then says, "I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I'd rather have you prophesy."
People point that out and say, "See? Paul thinks of tongues so much that he wants everyone to have it." But is this what he's saying? Is Paul really encouraging a personal prayer language?
This is a very common belief, and Jack Hayford's extremely well written book, "The Beauty Of Spiritual Language" explains very carefully the reasoning behind it. It is believed that Paul is encouraging speaking in tongues privately to God, as seperate from the gift of tongues shown in Acts, and spoken about in 1 Corinthians chapter 12. It is believed that chapter 14 speaks about a different kind of tongues from what we have read about so far. Is this true?
The tone of these verses very much seems to be, at the very least, a downplaying on the use of tongues. Verse 1 says, "Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy". Here, Paul is encouraging people to become teachers. Verses 2 and 3, as we noted, then says, "For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort."
Paul here is very clearly encouraging the people in the church of Corinth to aim for gifts which build up the church, and Paul is pointing out that the tongues the people are speaking in are not doing that. It seems to be a critism, not an encouragement to speak in tongues that way.
If we believe that Paul saying "I would like every one of you to speak in tongues" is a command to us all, then we have a problem if we go to 1 Corinthians 7. That chapter has Paul writing about marriage. He was a single man, and verse 6 says, "I wish that all men were as I am". This sounds almost exactly the same as his "would like" for the gift of tongues. If we are to assume that Paul is commanding us to all speak in tongues, then he must also be commanding all men to not marry. Yet The Bible encourages us to become as one with another. That marriage is a good thing. In both cases, Paul seems to be using a kind of "wishful thinking" style. In the case of tongues, he's very likely saying something along the line of,"Look, it would be nice if you could all speak in tongues, but it's not going to happen, and that's not what I'm trying to encourage here."
It cannot be assumed that, just because someone is being edified, they are doing the right thing either. If we slightly alter Jesus' parrable on the Good Samaritan, imagine you were walking to church one day, and you came across a man lying injured on the road. Rather than stop to help him, you walked past and continued to church. You then had a wonderful and uplifting time at church that morning. You would undoubtedly be edified, but would you have done the right thing? Would God be happy with it? We can not assume that, just because Paul mentions self edification, it is right. These verses seem to have Paul encouraging seeking gifts that will build up the church, and critisizing the tongues the people were using because they were not being used for that purpose.
O. Palmer Robertson believes that tongues is a form of prophecy, and he gains that belief from the word “mysteries” Paul uses. According to Robertson, whenever Paul uses the word “mysteries”, bar one, he is referring to the Salvation of Jesus Christ. He also points out that the words of verse 5, “He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified”, strengthen the argument that tongues were for prophecy. This is a very reasonable suggestion.
The following verses seem to press home the points that Paul is encouraging teaching, not tongues, even more. Chapter 6 says, "Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?" Then as we read the next few verses, "Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air."
It is very clear hear that Paul is critisizing an unintelligable speaking in tongues, which the Corinthians were apparently using. The words, "Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air" suggest that Paul was being critical of the tongues being spoken out loud for others to hear, although we can't be sure of that. We then could believe that Paul is not against people speaking in tongues privately, but the verses we studied preceding these ones do not support that. We can see here that again Paul is strongly encouraging teaching in the church. He's putting the emphasis on "revelation" and "knowledge".
The words, "...if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unles I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction" suggest that maybe the gift of tongues is used for these things. Paul might be relating the speaking in tongues to the teaching, but this isn't totally clear, and we can't be sure of that either.
Verses 10 - 12 go on to say these things: "Undoubtedly, there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church."
We can note a couple of things in these verses. First, Paul, in saying "all sorts of languages in the world", is very clearly saying that the tongues he is referring to are human languages, which is supported by Acts chapter 1. Secondly, Paul again criticizes tongues being used in a way that is not understandable to others. Thirdly, Paul again emphasizes excelling in gifts that build up in church, and the context in which he says that suggest that the gift of tongues the Corinthians were using was not doing that.
Before we go any further, let's look back and see what we can glean from the chapter so far.
1) Paul continuously emphasizes the building up of the church. The whole book of 1 Corinthians is a letter to encourage the church.
2) Paul makes it very clear that the speaking in tongues the Corinthians were using were not building up the church, although it does seem to suggest that the tongues were edifying the individual tongues speaker. However, the tone of Paul's writings suggests that he was not approving of this. Even someone who speaks to God isn't necessarily doing the right thing. (If this sounds strange, it might help to picture another situation you might be in. If you came across that same injured man and, instead of helping him, sat down and prayed for him the whole time, rather than giving him some practical help, while his life slipped away, would you be doing the right thing?)
3) Paul clearly encourages understanding each other. He saw the tongues as being a noise with no distinction, insisting instead that the Corinthians should comprehend what is being said in the church.
4) The tongues are clearly Earthly languages, according to what verses 10 and 11 say.
5) It's hard to be sure exactly what kind of tongues the Corinthians were employing. Was it a kind of nonsensical language, or a genuine gift of Spiritual tongues that was being misused? It could have been several things, but it is extremely hard to understand what.
We shall now move onto the next part of the chapter in the next part of this study on tongues.
