Having broached the topic of tongues, let's ask the question, "What are tongues?" During my years in business, I once had a coworker ask me, upon finding out I was a believer, "So, you are a born again, 'tongue talking' man?" Our conversation went on from there. However, one might ask the question, "What did he meaning by "tongue talking?" Let's take up the question "What does it mean to speak in tongues?"
When one speaks in tongues what is he, or she, doing? What are tongues? Many disagree over just what tongues are. People like to describe them as "heavenly languages," or angelic ones. Some say they have no pattern but are merely ecstatic utterances. Others believe them to be a supernatural ability to speak or understand a foreign language for the purpose of evangelism (this is where I tend to go). Each camp produces its own proof texts to support their particular view, or flavor of a particular view. This is unfortunate because the only view any should care about is God's view. In seeking to understand just what "tongues" are one must seek to read their understanding from, rather than into, Scripture.
What are tongues? What do the Scriptures say? How can we distill a right understanding when each group seems to produce a set of supporting Scriptures to prop up their own view? It does seem difficult at times to unwrap a clear understanding, particularly when some passages are less clear than others. We must employ wise interpretive practices on such an important topic. While there are more than a few less clear passages on what tongues are, we must look to the clearer passages in order to inform our thinking on the matter of tongues. So, let’s ask and answer the question (What are tongues?) using God’s clear and inerrant word.
Let's begin by understanding the clearer passages so that we can begin to understand this difficult topic more clearly. Let's understand the easily understandable and work through the more difficult passages so that we can eventually build a clear understanding or definition in the coming pages. What does the Bible say and say very clearly about tongues? Speaking to the unruly church at Corinth through the pen of His apostle, Paul, the Holy Spirit says this.
But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching? 7 Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? 8For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 9So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 10There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning (1Co 14:6-10).
He admonishes the carelessness with which they conduct their public worship services. He tells them not to engage in disorderly practices like speaking in tongues all at once, or speaking unintelligibly. Speaking in tongues for “tongues’ sake” is wrong (verse 6). Meaningless noise is of no use if it is unintelligible because it benefits no one (verses 7-8). Tongues spoken for self-exaltation or for unloving, selfish purposes is like speaking to air because it does not edify or build up anyone---there is no benefit (verse 10). Paul reminds them that tongues are languages and because they have meaning, they are spoken for a purpose (presumably for the glory of God’s and the good and growth of others)—verse 10.
Linger at verse 10. What are tongues? They are languages. Specifically, they are languages employed by humans for human understanding, edification, and application. You may say, “But what about private prayer languages and the tongues of angels?” Rest assure we will come to these topics. Nevertheless, let’s go about this in an orderly approach. What is Paul saying to the church at Corinth here?
His emphasis and conclusion are found in verse 10, “There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning (1Co 14:10).” His admonition and exhortation are found in verses 6-9—use tongues (that is languages) for the sake of others rather than other purposes. Tongues, according to the Spirit, in these verses are languages. When the Holy Spirit speaks through the pens of the “human writers” of Scripture about tongues the emphasis is a supernatural ability to speak, understand, interpret, or explain in a foreign language or that, which has been spoken, in a foreign language.
Can we be certain of this? Let’s allow Scripture to illumine and or interpret Scripture for us. Let’s consider the “mother” of all passages on tongues: the events of Pentecost in Acts 2! As the New Testament Church was born at Pentecost, the disciples spoke in tongues. What does the Holy Spirit, speaking through the pen of Luke, writing Acts, reveal about tongues in this passage? What does the Bible say?
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. 5 Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 They were amazed and astonished, saying, "Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 "And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? 9 "Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs-- we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God." 12 And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, "What does this mean (Act 2:1-12)?”
What does the Spirit, speaking through the Scripture writer’s pen indicate about “tongues?” He indicates that tongues are foreign languages.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. 5 Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 They were amazed and astonished, saying, "Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 "And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? 9 "Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs-- we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God." 12 And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, "What does this mean (Act 2:4-12)?”
This passage gives us insight into what the Spirit is saying through the pen of His apostle, Paul, in 1 Corinthians 14: “There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning (1Co 14:10).” Clearly, tongues refers to foreign languages. You see this in the near context in 1 Corinthians 14:
But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching? 7 Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp…10There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning (1Co 14:6-10).
The wider context of Acts gives us further clarity:
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. 5 Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 They were amazed and astonished, saying, "Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 "And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? 9 "Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs-- we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God." 12 And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, "What does this mean (Act 2:4-12)?”
What does this mean? This means tongues are real languages spoken and understood by mortal men and by some to whom He gives a supernatural ability to communicate in mother tongues of hearers without specialize language training, as was the case of the events of Pentecost in Acts 2. This becomes clearer to those who read the whole of the New Testament, finding their way into the book of Revelation:
9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; 10 and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb (Rev 7:9-10).”
Here the Spirit reveals the internationality of the church because people are saved from every tribe, tongue, people and nation. We see the diversity of color, locale, and language reflected in the words of the Holy Spirit (spoken through the pen of the Apostle John). Every tongue confesses Christ. Controversies on matters of continuation or cessation aside, this is a glorious thought and sight! Let’s savor it before moving on. While we may, or may not, differ on the matter of tongues, let us rejoice in the salvation that Christ brings!
9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; 10 and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb (Rev 7:9-10).”
We understand that there are other verses, which at least on the surface, may indicate another “identity” for tongues. However, the honest reader must ask and answer this question, “What is the Holy Spirit saying in these passages about the nature, or definition, of tongues?” You must ask and answer this question directly because it is vital to addressing some of the abuses of a select few, who like the unruly Corinthians, today disregard God’s word on the biblical practices of this supernatural gift.
Language has structure and form. Even the untrained ear detects this when exposed to a foreign language. Scripture indicates as much in 1 Corinthians 14:
7 Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? 8For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 9So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 10There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning (1Co 14:6-10).
What are tongues? Tongues are languages. The Scriptures indicate they are foreign languages. They have structure, pattern; grammar.
PS: We will post again, on or before August 8.
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