What is speaking in tongues

‘Speaking in tongues’, what does it mean and where is it mentioned in the Bible?

This discussion is to show that speaking in tongues means languages that are known and understood by those that are in attendance and not some unknown language that requires interpretation.

The time when the disciples spoke in tongues happened in the book of Acts, chapter two, so let us pick it up in Acts chapter one just before that event happened where the disciples were together and discussing who should replace Judas to become the 12th disciple. They had picked two men that had been working with them from very early on to choose from, Barsabas and Matthias.

Acts 1:24 And they prayed and said, “Thou, Lord, Which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two Thou hast chosen, 25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” 26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Then, while in the midst of the day of Pentecost after they had picked Matthias as the replacement for Judas and all of the twelve disciples were in total agreement together the tongues from the Holy Spirit fell upon them.  Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:1-4 explains how the tongues came to be on all those that spoke in tongues (languages), and how they began to speak in other tongues. The word ‘other’ in verse four is the Greek word heteros, which means another of a different kind. This is saying they were speaking in a language that was not their native language. Acts 2:5 says that there were men in the area from all over the world (possibly from all nations which consists of every speaking language). Acts 2:6-8 says that everyone that heard them speak heard them in their own language, even the very dialect from which they were born. In other words, everyone that was there and heard them speak understood them clearly as they were hearing them speaking in their native language in which they, the hearers, knew best.

We can be quite sure that the disciples that were speaking in tongues did not normally speak in these other languages, as we find in Acts 2:7 those that heard them even said to each other, “are not all these that speak Galilean?” So this most definitely shows that these men were all of the Hebrew tongue and they most likely spoke only the Hebrew language. Not only that, but as they spoke, every man listening heard them in their own native language at the same time. So, as the disciples spoke they were being heard in every language. This is not something that man can accomplish. It is something that only the Holy Spirit can do.

Further evidence of the number of different languages being spoken is the enumeration of the peoples of different areas and languages given in Acts 2:9-11. These were people from all over with many different languages. In verse 13 it says there were a few people that mocked them, claiming that they must be drunk, but that has no basis as being drunk does not give one the ability to speak foreign languages. This verse also is one that quite obviously confuses many people today in that they take this statement of them being drunk as meaning that what they spoke was not understandable and it only sounded like gibberish to those listening. This is probably where many churches today get the idea that speaking in tongues sounds like babble to those hearing it and therefore must be interpreted.  There is one big problem with this, the prior verses explained very clearly that what they spoke was understood by all that heard it and needed no interpretation. Let’s understand this with clarity. When the Holy Spirit with cloven tongues came upon the disciples it caused the disciples to speak in foreign languages that were understood clearly by those that heard them. The speaking was not some gibberish that needed interpretation.

Let’s turn to 1 Corinthians where Paul is speaking about the diversity of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In chapter 12 Paul points out that not all Christians have the same gifts and all gifts are important as the body is made of many parts and without the other parts the body is not very useful. One of these gifts that Paul mentions is speaking in tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:10, To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another diverse kinds of tongues; to another the interpretations of tongues. In verse 12 both instances where the word tongues is used it is Strong's # 1100, which means language. Then in chapter 14 Paul expounds on speaking in tongues.

1 Corinthians 14:1, Follow after charity (love), and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.  3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

Note that in verse 2 the word ‘unknown’ is not in the manuscripts. It was added to help the English reader understand, but you can replace ‘unknown tongue’ with ‘language’. The word ‘unknown’ is also found in verses 4, 13, 14, 19 and 27 of chapter 14 and none of them are in the manuscripts.

In verse 2 Paul is explaining that if someone is speaking, such as prophesying, in a foreign language then those that hear him speaking will not understand him, only God will understand. In verse 3 and 4 Paul is saying one that teaches God’s Word is edifying to all that hear it but if one is speaking in a language that is unknown to those in attendance then it is only helpful to the speaker and not to the others. This makes sense because if you are listening to someone speak to you in a language that you don’t understand then it will do you no good.

Let’s continue: 1 Corinthians 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. Here Paul says that he wished that all spoke with tongues (languages) because He spoke many languages, two of which were Hebrew and Greek. When you can speak multiple languages then you can teach others that speak those languages as well as interpret them for someone. So it helps a lot as to where you can go to teach the Word of God.

6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? Paul says that if he speaks to people in a language they don’t understand then what good is it doing them unless it is interpreted.

7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? 8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? 9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them without signification. 11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh a barbarian unto me.

Paul says that not only the spoken language must be understood but even sounds made from a trumpet, for example, or other things that can make a sound, that unless those that hear it understand the meaning it has no purpose or meaning to them and they will not know what to do, such as a battle cry telling the people to prepare. If they don’t understand it they will not prepare and thus will not be able to defend against the enemy. (I think this has to do with preparing against satan when he attacks. If the speaker speaks in a language that is not understood by the audience they will not understand the Word of God and will not know how to deal with satan.) The sound the people hear will not help them, just as a person speaking in a language that is foreign (unknown) to them.

13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in an tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? 17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

If someone speaks in a foreign language then make sure there is an interpreter, because if you speak to a people in language that don’t know then they won’t even know when to say ‘Amen’ to what you are teaching. They will profit nothing and not be edified.

18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an tongue.

Here Paul makes mention that he speaks many languages and is thankful for it as it gives him a much larger audience that he can teach Gods word but then he make it very clear by stating that it would be better to speak just a few words that are understood by those that are listening than a great deal that they will not understand.  This is simply common sense. What good does it do to teach if the people do not understand what you are saying?

20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. 21 In the law it is written, With other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. 22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. 23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: 25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

Verses 21-25 speaks of how prophecy (teaching) will be done in other languages so that people of those languages can hear and understand the Word of God. This is why it says in verse 22 that tongues (languages) are for a sign to unbelievers, because otherwise they would not hear the Good news of the Gospel. In verse 23 it is saying that if a church is gathered with believers and they speak in languages that they understand but an unbeliever comes in and hears them they will not understand what they are saying and will think they are mad. (This connects to Acts chapter 2.) So, this is simply saying that if unbelievers that are unlearned in the languages being spoken then they will not understand anything being said. No doubt this is where some churches get the idea that speaking in tongues is a special gift in which the person that has it speaks in a language that is not known to anyone except they also have the gift of interpreting in that what was said can be understood by the others in the congregation. The problem is that too often it is misunderstood as being some language that the Holy Spirit gives them at that moment and they blurt out a bunch of gibberish that means nothing to anyone, but usually the pastor will pretend like he/she understood it and immediately says whatever comes to mind. In other words, it is nonsense! It is quite the opposite of what verse 20 says to be like (as children in malice – innocent, no attempt to deceive).

26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27 If any man speak in an tongue, by two, or at the most three, and by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30 If be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Everyone has a gift and one of the gifts is speaking in other languages (tongues) and one is the interpretation of tongues (languages). Now, the gift of interpretation, 1 Corinthians 12:10, is not just the ability to understand a foreign language and thus be able to translate it, but to have the ability to express properly what is said, like figures of speech and idioms, etc. so that the people hearing the interpreter will get the full meaning and completely understand the message being spoken in the foreign language. The whole purpose of all the gifts is to edify (build up) the church, so all gifts are important and meant to work together. This is why it says in verses 27-31 that if there be one that speaks a foreign language but there be no one to interpret then the one should keep it to himself since it would not be understood by anyone and would not be edifying. In verse 33 Paul points out that God is not the author of confusion which is Strong’s #181 and means disorder, instability. Speaking in tongues (languages) and interpreting it is to be done with order and should help bring stability to the church with learning truth.

So what is the take away about speaking in tongues from 1 Corinthians 14? It’s that speaking in tongues is simply the ability to speak foreign languages. What it is not is a language that is unknown by anyone.

Now, let’s examine the word tongues. In the King James Bible the word ‘tongues’ is found eight times in the old testament and 27 times in the new testament. Of the eight times the word ‘tongues’ is found in the old testament it is #3956 in the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance for all eight. The meaning according to Strong’s is: The tongue of man or animals use of licking, eating, or speech in a literal sense, or in a figurative sense an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of water. In the New Testament, 26 of the 27 times that tongues is used it is Strong’s # 1100 which means: a language, specifically one naturally un-acquired. One time it is Strong’s # 2084 and means: other tongued, a foreigner, man of other tongue, and has its root from Strong’s #1100.

The word tongue (singular) is found far more often in both the old testament and the new testament and has several meanings found in the Strong’s concordance of which in the old testament is # 762, meaning: the Armenian (Syrian) language, #2790, meaning: to hold the tongue in silence, #2013, meaning: to hush or be silent. All of the rest of the occurrences of the word tongue in the old testament are #3956 – the same as tongues. In the new testament there are also a few other meanings found for tongue (singular) in Strong’s concordance of which is #1447, which means: of the Hebrew language, #1258 means: dialect or language, and is from #1256 which essentially means: to say thoroughly. All of the other occurrences are #1100 – the same as tongues (plural).

So, the question is, do we find any reason to believe that the tongues spoken by the disciples were anything other than known languages, specifically known by those that heard them? Let’s examine a few of the words from Acts 2:6-8 to help us nail down if the languages spoken were known and understood.

The word ‘language’ is Strong’s #1258 (dialektos in the Greek) which means: language, tongue. The word ‘speaking’ in verse 6 is Strong’s #2980 and means: to talk, utter words. And in chapter 2 verse 7 those that heard them were all amazed and marveled. The word ‘amazed’ is Strong’s #1839 and means: to put out of wits, astound, become astounded, amazed. The word ‘marveled’ is Strong’s # 2296 and means: to wonder or admire. This word has the root from Strong’s #2300 which means: to look closely at, to perceive. In verse 8 those that heard them speak asked each other how is it that they hear these men speaking in the language in the very dialect in which they were born. The word ‘born’ is Strong’s #1080 and means: kin, countrymen. It has its root from Strong’s #1085 which means: to cause to be, come into being. So, in other words, they were astonished that these men, the disciples, were speaking in the very language and even dialect of the place in which they, the hearers, were born. They were hearing them speak in a way, or language, that was the most familiar to them.  This is quite the opposite of a language that is unknown to those that hear it. In fact you can’t find the word ‘unknown’ anywhere in these scriptures.

So, since every person there that heard them speak heard them in their own language, one might ask, what was it that was spoken by these men that was so important that God wanted all those hearing it to understand what was said? Here is what Peter said about it: Acts 2:14-21, “But Peter standing up with the eleven lifted up his voice and said unto them, “Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:  15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose seeing it is but the third hour of the day.  16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel:  17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days,’ saith God, ‘I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: 21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”

This is talking about the time just before the return of Christ, His one and only return. It is a sign so that we that are alive at that time will know that Christ is about to come. A time when there will be great and wonderful signs in the heavens and signs on the Earth and the Holy Spirit will be poured out on Christians of all ages, both male and female, and they will prophesy, speaking freely whatever it is that God gives them to speak at that time. I believe that when these people speak from the Holy Spirit it will be understood by all those that hear it, just like what happened in Acts chapter 2, as we just read about. I believe that we are very near that time. What a time to live!

To sum it up, the scriptures tell us that when someone speaks in tongues from the Holy Spirit they speak in a language, or languages, that is very familiar to all those that hear it so that what is being said will be understood clearly. This is quite the opposite of speaking in some new or unknown language that only the Holy Spirit knows and requires someone such as a pastor to interpret as it is being said. As we saw, the scriptures simply do not support that.