Tag: tongues

Not the Author of Confusion

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1Corinthians 14:27-33 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sits by, let the first hold his peace. For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 

‘Unknown tongue’ – there is no word in the Greek for unknown here. No language spoken in any place in the universe is actually unknown to the people who speak it. The only sense in which tongues or languages are spoken by the ability of the gift of tongues is unknown is that the speaker himself does not know the language or languages which he speaks (14:2).

‘Let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.’ In congregational meetings, the command is that no more than three messages in tongues should be allowed in any one service, and that, provided they are truly interpreted. The order should be by course with the first message being interpreted before a second, if any, is given. One who thus speaks shall not interpret himself, his words must be interpreted by another gifted to do so (14:13). Even if more than one person speaks the rule is no more than a total of three messages in a single gathering. After that, they must remain silent regardless of how much they seem to be inspired. If there is no interpretation to the first message, they likewise must remain silent (14:27-28, 32). These laws concerning the gifts of tongues are to be obeyed as the commandments of God (14:32-33, 37-38).

‘Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.’ Prophets are also to speak two or three messages in turn letting others judge whether or not they have spoken the truth. Both kinds of messages (tongues and prophecy) are to be judged as to their truth. The basis of judgment is the written revelation of God (Deut. 18:10-12, 20; Isa. 8:19-20; Rev. 22:18-19). If any message in tongues or prophecy does not harmonize with the Bible or does not come to pass, then it is to be judged false and the person said to be speaking by his own spirit (13:1-3; Deut. 13:1-9; 18:20-23; Jer. 23:25-29, 32; Ezek. 13:2-3).

‘If any thing be revealed to another that sits by, let the first hold his peace.’ Everything revealed to a person is not a divine revelation. This is why everything must be judged.

‘All prophesy’ – men and women were permitted to prophesy (11:1-16; Acts 2:16-21). ‘The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.’ Among people who have inspirational experiences of prophecy, tongues, and interpretation of tongues, it is very easy for one to claim that the Holy Spirit is moving upon him and that he should not quench the Spirit (1Thess. 5:19). This attitude of being determined to obey the Spirit leads to abuse of such gifts over and over, causing much confusion in gatherings. Let no man claim to be moved by the Holy Spirit who acts disorderly and causes confusion, for God is not the author of such (14:32-33).

By My Voice

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1Corinthians 14:18-19 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all: 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. 

‘I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all’ – Paul admits his ability to talk in tongues, yet says there is a time and place for tongues.

Six times not to speak in tongues: When not impelled by love (13:1-3). When there is no interpreter present (14:5, 27-28). When it is time to give truth to the public (14:6-13, 19, 14:23-25).  When invited to say grace at the table (14:16-17).  When others speak in tongues and people are present who would stumble over such action (14:23-25).  After two or three messages in tongues have been given and interpreted (14:27).

‘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.’ This does not belittle tongues or make them unimportant in their place, but it shows that the public will not get as much truth in 10,000 words in a language they cannot understand as they would get from 5 words they could understand. Most people try to impress others of their higher spiritual status when speaking or in a tongue, which is only used for self-edification, and means that God can heal and restore the speaker. Praying in tongues is also a new addition to the fallacies surrounding the use of the gifts, for no one in Scripture ever did so or was commanded to do so.

‘Teach others also’ – This emphasizes the purposes of all gifts and public Christian services. At least 20 out of 40 verses in this chapter emphasize the importance of public good, not the personal display of one’s gifts (14:1, 3-9, 11-13, 15-17, 19, 23-25, 26-28, 31, 40). The speaking of tongues is not a sign of your status as a Christian, rather a necessity for the broken who needs edification of their spirits.

They Shall Fail

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1Corinthians 13:8 Charity never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 

‘Charity never faileth …’ This is the 11th New Testament prophecy in 1 Corinthians (13:8-13).

‘But whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.’ Three things that will fail or be superseded: prophecies, tongues, and knowledge.

‘Fail’ [Greek: katargeo] to make useless or void; abolish; leave unemployed (Rom. 3:3; 4:14; Gal. 3:17; 5:4). It is translated “fail,” “vanish away,” “done away” and “put away” (13:8, 10, 11). Here it literally means that when the completeness of communication and knowledge comes, tongues will be no barrier and partial knowledge will be superseded by the perfect or complete (13:9-10). People in eternity will be able to speak all the languages – or just one language – of all others in the universe, thus doing away with present-day language barriers. The partial knowledge will be superseded by perfect knowledge. It is only that which is in part that will be done away or come to an end (13:9-10).

In 1Corinthians 13:11-12 Paul further makes clear his meaning, when he compares the next life to something as far advanced over this one as adulthood over childhood; and when he declares that we now see darkly into the future, knowing only a few things, whereas then, face to face with God, we shall know other persons and things as now known by God. Don’t use this Scripture as an excuse of not knowing the Bible (2Tim. 3:16).

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit Part 2

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1Corinthians 12:7-11 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these work that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 

‘The word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge…’ The classification and definition of the gifts:

[1] Gifts of revelation – the mind gifts: (1) The word of wisdom. This is a supernatural revelation or insight into the divine will and purpose, showing how to solve any problem that may arise (1Kin. 3:16-28; Matt. 2:20; Luke 22:10-12; John 2:22-24; 4:16-19; Acts 26:16; 27:21-25; 1Cor. 5:1-13). (2) The word of knowledge. That is a supernatural revelation of divine knowledge, or insight in the divine mind, will, or plan; and also the plans of others that man could not know of himself (Gen. 1:1-2:25; 1Sam. 3:7-15; 2Kin. 6:8-12; Matt. 16:16; John 1:1-3; Acts 5:3-4; 9:11-12; 21:11; Eph. 3:1-21). (3) Discerning of spirits. This is a supernatural revelation or insight into the realm of spirits to detect them and their plans and to read the minds of people (Matt. 9:4; Luke 13:16; John 2:25; Acts 13:9-10; 16:16; 1Tim. 4:1-4; 1Jn. 4:1-6).

[2] Gifts of inspiration – vocal gifts: (1) Prophecy. This is a supernatural utterance in the native tongue (14:3). It is a miracle of divine utterance, not conceived by human thought or reasoning (Acts 3:21; 11:28; 21:11; 2Pet. 1:21; 1Cor. 14:23-32). It includes speaking to people to edification and exhortation and comfort (14:3). (2) Divers kinds of tongues. This is supernatural utterance in other languages which are not known to the speaker (12:10, 28-31; 13:1-3; 14:2, 22, 26, 27-32; Isa. 28:11; Mark 16:17; Acts 10:44-48; 19:1-7). (3) The interpretation of tongues. This is simply supernatural ability to interpret in the native tongue what is uttered in other languages not known by the one who interprets by the Spirit (12:10; 14:5, 13-15, 27-28).

[3] Gifts of power – working gifts: (1) Faith. This is a supernatural ability to believe God without human doubt, unbelief, and reasoning (Matt. 17:20; 21:22; Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; Rom. 4:17; Heb. 11:6; 12:1-3; Jas. 1:5-8). (2) The gifts of healing. This is a supernatural power to heal all manner of sickness without human aid or medicine (12:9; Mark 16:18; John 14:12). (3) The working of miracles. This is a supernatural power to intervene in the ordinary course of nature and to counteract natural laws if necessary (15:10, 27-31; Ex. 7:10-14:21; 2Kin. 4:1-44; 6:1-7; Ps. 107:1-43; Matt. 17:20; Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; John 14:12; Heb. 2:3-4).

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit Part 1

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1Corinthians 12:7-11 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these work that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 

‘Manifestation’ [Greek: phanerosis] making visible. The visible manifestations would be the visible healing, miracles, manifest prophecies, tongues, interpretations, and even the giving forth of wisdom, knowledge, and discernment of various kinds.

‘Given by the Spirit’ – Facts and questions about the gifts: Their names and number (12:8-10). By whom imparted? The Holy Spirit. (12:4, 8-11). Who operates them? The Holy Spirit. (12:4-6, 11). Purpose: To confirm the Word of God (1:7; 12:11, 28-31; 14:1-40; Mark 16:17-20; John 14:12; Acts 1:1-8; Rom. 12:3-8; 15:18-19, 29; Heb. 2:3-4). Who may have them? Every believer (12:8-11; 1:7; John 7:37-39; 14:12; Mark 16:17-20; Rom. 1:11; 12:3-8). Can one have all of them? Yes (Matt. 17:20; 21:22; Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; John 14:12; 15:7, 16; Eph. 3:19; Jas. 1:5-8). Has anyone ever received all of them? Yes (John 3:34; Rom. 15:29). Were they manifest in Old Testament days? Yes (Num. 11:16-25; 1Kin. 3:12; 17:1 – 2 Kin. 13:25; Luke 1:17; Acts 3:21; Heb. 11:1-40). Can gifts be misused? Yes (Eccl. 2:9; Num. 20:7-13 with Deut. 32:48-52; 1Cor. 13:1-3; 14:1-40). Can gifts be exercised in a backslidden condition? Yes (Eccl. 2:9; 1Cor. 13:1-3). Are gifts permanent or temporary? Permanent if received as a personal gift (Rom. 11:29). Are gifts exercised at will? Yes (14:15, 23-32; 1Tim. 4:14; 2Tim. 1:6). Can gifts be neglected in use? Yes (1Tim. 4:14; 2Tim. 1:6). When should gifts be used? When needed to edify others (12:7; 14:3-6, 12, 17, 26; Rom. 12:3-8). Where should the gifts be used? Where needed (12:7, 12-31; 14:1-40). How can they be received? By faith and prayer (12:31; 14:1; Matt. 7:7-11). Do we need gifts today? Yes, for the same reason others of old needed them (1:7; 12:1-31; Mark 16:15-20; John 10:10; Acts 1:8; 10:38; Rom. 1:11). Can we choose which gifts we need today? Yes (12:31; 14:1, 12). How can we know when we have received them? When the Spirit operates them through us to accomplish their intended purpose (12:4-11, 28-31; 14:1-40). Are gifts to continue throughout this age? Yes (Matt. 3:11; 28:20; Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; 16:15-20; John 7:37-39; 14:12-17, 26; 15:26; 16:13-15; Acts 1:4-8; 2:38-39; 5:32; 1Cor. 1:7; etc.).

To be continued…