The Biblical Truth

Concerning Speaking in Tongues

Paul Eric Alexander

• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9781098044558
• eBook ISBN: 9781098044565
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Ministry

This book presents a thorough examination of the gift of tongues and prophecy, thereby revealing the objective of these gifts and the order of their use. Apostle Paul focuses on the underlying principles that consistently determine the importance of interpreting or explaining unknown tongues. By excelling in these truth, you will be prepared to minister to the specific needs of those God brings into your life. With the help of the Biblical Truth Concerning Speaking in Unknown Tongues, you can be confident that your course of action fits into God's overall plan and purpose for your life and ministry. Every Christian who seeks to follow and witness for Jesus Christ should read this meaningful book. This book provides a powerful perspective on understanding the gift of tongues, prophecy, and unknown tongues. All truths are easy to understand once they have been discovered. Apostle Paul desired that the Corinthian church as well as today's local church do all things in the appropriate order without confusion among God's people. This Godly order was to guide them in proper worship and order in the church. These instructions to do all things decently and in order are still applicable today. Things that are done decently and in order will advance the church in building up believers and bring sinners to repentance. Let everything be without confusion, disorder, and division. God is the author of peace as in all the churches of the saints.

Key Words in I Corinthians 14:1–40

Speaketh (GK) laleo, lal-eh’-o—To talk, utter words:—preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter. To speak, to talk; to use the voice without any necessary reference to the words spoken.

Unknown (GK) agnostos, ag’-noce-tos—Unknown. The word “unknown” in every place where it appears I Cor. 14: 2; 4; 13; 14; 19; 27 is italicized letters, which means that it does not occur in any Greek manuscript but was inserted (to put or set into) by translators.

Tongue(S) (GK) gloce-sah—The tongue by implication; a language. (GK) glossa, tongue and lalia (GK) speech

Tongue (HB) lason—The tongue of a man and by extension, of man’s language.

Apostle Paul had exhorted the Corinthians to desire exercising their gifts which were of greatest benefit to the church as a whole.

In 1 Cor. 12:8–11, we call them spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The Greek word charisma suggests that the gift is a bestowment (to present as a gift) of God’s grace.

It is not a natural ability that one might develop, but rather a special gift as those appearing in I Cor. 12:1–7.

In the Corinthians’ misuse of speaking in tongues, they were showing their immaturity, which characterized the believers at Corinth as babes in Christ (I Cor. 3:1–3).

Its undisciplined use of speaking in tongue can have a detrimental (causing damage or harm) effect on public worship and the unity of Christian fellowship (I Cor. 14:23, 26, 27).

It is especially to be refrained from where there is no one present to interpret (open up to or explain, translate) the “words” which are being spoken.

14:1 Follow after charity

The most earnest labor is that of love which beareth, believeth, hopeth, and endureth all things. Love is essential (basic) to your present peace and eternal happiness.

Desire spiritual gifts

Some people are very content with getting those splendid gifts which may add to their worldly effect or result and please their carnal minds. Instead labor rather to get the gifts of God’s Spirit by which you may grow in grace and be useful to others and desire that ye may prophecy. In return, you may be able to teach and instruct others in the things of their salvation.

The important gift is that of prophecy: (GK) (To foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, to reveal).

Why should the believer follow after charity? Charity is love, brotherly kindness, and the provision of help, relief to the poor and the benevolence of God toward man. 1 John 4:16 says God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Therefore the reason why believers are instructed to pursue after love is because pursuing love is following after God.

Jesus told Simon called Peter and Andrew his brother to follow him (Jesus) and Jesus will make you fishers of men (Mt. 4:19). Believers are also commanded to follow Jesus, receive his teachings, imitate Jesus in conduct and behavior and in every respect be Jesus disciples. Then spake Jesus saying I am the light of the world, he that followeth Jesus shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life (John 8:12).

Without charity, which is (love) all is darkness, misery and death. Love empowers the believer to obey God in Christ Jesus and to abide in him. Jesus said if ye love me, Keep my commandments (Jn. 14:15).

The most solid proof or evidence the believer can give of our attachment to and affection for Christ Jesus is to keep his commandments.

Why should the believer desire spiritual gifts? That each person may serve the church in the capacity in which God has placed him that there be no misunderstandings and no schism (division, contention) in the body. Spiritual gifts are given to bless others and for the edification of the church and to help in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Christ commanded that the gospel be preached, that His word inspire, impact, influence, and the people of God be built up in their most holy faith, and for this cause, He has given certain spiritual gifts dividing to every man severally as He will.

14:2 For he that speak in an unknown tongue. The word unknown means not known; unfamiliar; not verified; indefinite; not yet discovered through examination or experimentation.

The context (situation) of this verse is the assembled congregation in Corinth (I Cor. 11:2–14:40), especially 14:4–5 in which utterance in a tongue was given without the benefit of interpretation (14:13, 19). It is not likely that the Holy Spirit should in the church suddenly inspire a man with or without the knowledge of some unknown or foreign language which none in the church understood but Himself; And lead Him to treat the mysteries of Christianity in that unknown or foreign language, though none in the place could understand nor profit by His teaching.

Apparently in the text, no native speaker of the unknown tongue was present in the assembly (14:10-–11), and no one was given supernatural enablement to interpret (to open up, explain, or translate) it. The utterances (speaking) therefore were mysteries (a secret, something into which one must be initiated or instructed before it can be known, something of itself not obvious and above human insight).

God had not provided the Corinthians with supernatural enablement in this particular...

Table of contents

• About the Apostle Paul
• About Corinth
• Key Words in I Corinthians 14:1–40