Tongues Must Be Interpreted

I Corinthians 14:10–17
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)

The story is told about three kids bragging about their fathers: The first one said, “My dad’s so smart he can talk for one hour on any subject.” The second one said, “My dad’s so smart he can talk for two hours on any subject.” Finally, the third one said, &q … More

Communication

Paul’s statement gives us good reason to believe that he was referring to known languages and not some “heavenly” language (vv 10-11). Each known language is different and yet it has its own meaning. No matter how sincere a speaker may be, if I do not understand his language, he cannot communicate with me. No one can be understood unless their messages are communicated in a manner that is meaningful to the listener.

Paul reminds the Corinthians that it is better to be a blessing to the church than to experience some kind of personal “spiritual excitement (vv. 12-15).” If a person is able to speak in a tongue (language) he is not familiar with, his spirit (inner person) may share in the experience, but his mind is not a part of the experience. Paul states that anyone who has the gift of speaking in tongues should also pray for the gift of interpretation so he could tell people what has been said (v. 13). The word “spirit" does not refer to the Holy Spirit, but to the inner person (vv. 14-15). If the speaker is to be edified personally, he must understand what he is saying and this requires an interpreter. This means that an interpreter needs to be present or the speaker himself has the gift of interpreting.

There is a proper place for the intellect in Christianity. In praying and singing, both the mind and the spirit are to be fully engaged (v. 15). When we sing, we should think about the meaning of the words we are singing. When we pour out our feelings to God in prayer, we should not turn off our capacity to think. Even if a person should bless the Lord by speaking a language that he doesn’t already know it would be impossible for anyone else to join in because no one would know what he is saying (vv. 16-17). True Christianity is neither barren intellectualism nor thoughtless emotionalism. All of this discussion emphasizes once again the superiority of prophecy over tongues.

Application

This is a reminder to me that when I speak, I need to say things in such a way that they can easily be understood, whether to my wife, my children or to those that I come in contact with.

I Corinthians 14:10-17 (English Standard Version)

There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say "Amen" to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up.

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More I Corinthians commentaries

Tongues Must Be Interpreted

I Corinthians 14:10–17» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)

Application

I Corinthians 14:10-17 (English Standard Version)

I Corinthians 14:10–17
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)