Speaking Various Languages

Topic: Tongues
Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:1–11

December 4, 2022

Commentary

Paul continues his discussion of the subject of irregularities in the worship of the Corinthian church. There was a self-indulgent spirit around spiritual gifts that produced selfishness, disunity, and apparent chaos in the assembly (12:7,25). Unfortunately, the members were grieving the Holy Spirit by the carnal ways in which they were using spiritual gifts. While Paul is about to deal with the entire subject of spiritual gifts, it is clear from the start that a special emphasis will be on only one of them, tongues. Of the sign gifts (prophesy, healing, and tongues), most conservative Bible scholars say these have ceased. Since it is very difficult to prove either way, this continues to be a debate to this day. Another issue concerning tongues is whether it was always a known language or sometimes an ecstatic speech. We know for sure that it refers to a known language in Acts. A study of the New Testament usage of glossa reveals the fact that it always refers to foreign languages and not some gibberish. Furthermore, this is inconsistent with the purpose for which Christ gave this gift and it always refers to the ability to speak an unlearned language. This view has been held by Barnes, Henry, Ironside, Rice and many others.

Robert Gromacki, in his book on “The Modern Tongues Movement,” says, “Speaking in foreign languages which were not learned certainly constitute a divine miracle; however, speaking in gibberish can easily be done by either a Christian or an unsaved person and has no objective standard by which it can be evaluated. Therefore, it is not logical to assume that God would institute a miracle that men could duplicate through human simulations.” Warren Wiersbe, in his book “Be Wise,” page 123), says it is important to note that the believer is always in control of himself when the Holy Spirit is at work because Jesus Christ is in charge (14:32). Therefore, any so called “spirit manifestation” that robs a person on self-control is not of God.

Application

I need to evaluate everything I do as to whether it is for God’s glory or my glory.

1 Corinthians 12:1–11 (NET)

1 With regard to spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were often led astray by speechless idols, however you were led. 3 So I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

4 Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are different ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are different results, but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. 7 To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the benefit of all. 8 For one person is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, and another the message of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another performance of miracles, to another prophecy, and to another discernment of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 It is one and the same Spirit, distributing as he decides to each person, who produces all these things.

The gift of tongues is speak a language without study

In every case I am aware of in the Bible when it speaks of speaking in tongues it is in reference to a known language and not some gibberish. Most people who promote and propagate speaking in tongues today are of the charismatic movement and it is … Continue

Speaking Various Languages

Topic: Tongues
Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:1–11

May 8, 2022

Commentary

Paul continues his discussion of the subject of irregularities in the worship of the Corinthian church. There was a self-indulgent spirit around spiritual gifts that produced selfishness, disunity, and apparent chaos in the assembly (12:7,25). Unfortunately, the members were grieving the Holy Spirit by the carnal ways in which they were using spiritual gifts. While Paul is about to deal with the entire subject of spiritual gifts, it is clear from the start that a special emphasis will be on only one of them, tongues. Of the sign gifts (prophesy, healing, and tongues), most conservative Bible scholars say these have ceased. Since it is very difficult to prove either way, this continues to be a debate to this day. Another issue concerning tongues is whether it was always a known language or sometimes an ecstatic speech. We know for sure that it refers to a known language in Acts. A study of the New Testament usage of glossa reveals the fact that it always refers to foreign languages and not some gibberish. Furthermore, this is inconsistent with the purpose for which Christ gave this gift and it always refers to the ability to speak an unlearned language. This view has been held by Barnes, Henry, Ironside, Rice and many others.

Robert Gromacki, in his book on “The Modern Tongues Movement,” says, “Speaking in foreign languages which were not learned certainly constitute a divine miracle; however, speaking in gibberish can easily be done by either a Christian or an unsaved person and has no objective standard by which it can be evaluated. Therefore, it is not logical to assume that God would institute a miracle that men could duplicate through human simulations.” Warren Wiersbe, in his book “Be Wise,” page 123), says it is important to note that the believer is always in control of himself when the Holy Spirit is at work because Jesus Christ is in charge (14:32). Therefore, any so called “spirit manifestation” that robs a person on self-control is not of God.

Application

I need to evaluate everything I do as to whether it is for God’s glory or my glory.

1 Corinthians 12:1–11 (NET)

1 With regard to spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were often led astray by speechless idols, however you were led. 3 So I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

4 Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are different ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are different results, but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. 7 To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the benefit of all. 8 For one person is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, and another the message of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another performance of miracles, to another prophecy, and to another discernment of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 It is one and the same Spirit, distributing as he decides to each person, who produces all these things.

Speaking Various Languages

Topic: Tongues
Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:1–11

September 8, 2020

Commentary

Paul continues his discussion of the subject of irregularities in the worship of the Corinthian church. There was a self-indulgent spirit around spiritual gifts that produced selfishness, disunity, and apparent chaos in the assembly (12:7,25). Unfortunately, the members were grieving the Holy Spirit by the carnal ways in which they were using spiritual gifts. While Paul is about to deal with the entire subject of spiritual gifts, it is clear from the start that a special emphasis will be on only one of them, tongues. Of the sign gifts (prophesy, healing, and tongues), most conservative Bible scholars say these have ceased. Since it is very difficult to prove either way, this continues to be a debate to this day. Another issue concerning tongues is whether it was always a known language or sometimes an ecstatic speech. We know for sure that it refers to a known language in Acts. A study of the New Testament usage of glossa reveals the fact that it always refers to foreign languages and not some gibberish. Furthermore, this is inconsistent with the purpose for which Christ gave this gift and it always refers to the ability to speak an unlearned language. This view has been held by Barnes, Henry, Ironside, Rice and many others.

Robert Gromacki, in his book on “The Modern Tongues Movement,” says, “Speaking in foreign languages which were not learned certainly constitute a divine miracle; however, speaking in gibberish can easily be done by either a Christian or an unsaved person and has no objective standard by which it can be evaluated. Therefore, it is not logical to assume that God would institute a miracle that men could duplicate through human simulations.” Warren Wiersbe, in his book “Be Wise,” page 123), says it is important to note that the believer is always in control of himself when the Holy Spirit is at work because Jesus Christ is in charge (14:32). Therefore, any so called “spirit manifestation” that robs a person on self-control is not of God.

Application

I need to evaluate everything I do as to whether it is for God’s glory or my glory.

1 Corinthians 12:1–11 (NET)

1 With regard to spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were often led astray by speechless idols, however you were led. 3 So I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

4 Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are different ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are different results, but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. 7 To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the benefit of all. 8 For one person is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, and another the message of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another performance of miracles, to another prophecy, and to another discernment of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 It is one and the same Spirit, distributing as he decides to each person, who produces all these things.