A Biblical Sketch of Tongues

This short examination on the subject of tongues is not meant to deal with all the various issues surrounding tongues. We simply offer what we believe to be some helpful and important points of instruction for those who are interested.

I. A Brief Overview of Tongues

In the early days of human history, man spoke one language. (Gen. 11:1)

As mankind grew, so did his pride. In an effort to assert himself, man built a tower to reach the heavens. (Gen. 11:4) The oneness of their tongues aided them in their ungodly effort.

In an effort to judge the evil, God confused their tongues so that their evil plan would end. (Gen. 11:6-7)

With the confusion of languages began the birth of nations. (Gen. 11:8-9)

In the Bible, the speech of a particular people is representative of them as a nation. (Gen 10:20; Ester 1:22)

God primarily spoke through the nation of Israel (particularly through the priesthood and the prophets) because they were His chosen people. Initially, God desired that all Israel be a kingdom of priests, (Ex. 19:5-6) but they lost this privilege through disobedience. (Ex. 32) Therefore, Aaron's line preserved the priesthood of God. (Ex. 35:19)

(While we do not want to say that God was limited to speaking solely through Israel, we must remember they, as the chosen people of God, were His vessel of testimony to the nations. It was to Israel that God gave the Law [in Hebrew] at Mt. Sinai and, therefore, through them that He revealed Himself.)

In the OT, if a non-Jew wanted to learn God's Word he must join with Israel and learn the language of the Jews. The Law of Moses made provisions for such "strangers." (Ex. 20:10)

In the NT, God no longer speaks through the nation of Israel, for they are set aside in His dispensational dealings. (Rom. 11:25)

Though God spoke in the past (largely through Israel) in different times and in different ways, He now speaks to all men in the Person of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. (Heb. 1:1-2)

The speaking in tongues (different languages) to all the nations on Pentecost pictures God speaking to all men in grace. (Acts 2) During Pentecost, the universal message of God's love in Christ was expressed through the speaking of tongues and, therefore, all nations represented in Jerusalem heard God's saving message.

No longer was it through Israel per se that man learned about God, but through His Son and by His Spirit. The Body of Christ (which is made up of different nations) would now be God's witness, (1 Tim. 3:15) holy priesthood and nation. (1 Pet. 1:9)

During the early days of the church, God used tongues to teach believing Jews that He was embracing all men through the gospel of grace. (Acts 10:45) In this way, tongues were a confirmatory sign to believing Israel of God's acceptance of the Gentiles.

However, tongues were also a sign of judgment against the Jews, for they illustrated how God had set them aside in discipline. The fact that God no longer spoke through Israel vividly illustrated this. God is now using the church to provoke Israel to jealousy because of their disobedience. (Rom. 10:19)

The confusion of tongues has always been a sign of God's judgment. God judged man at Babel by confusing his language. (Gen 11:6-7) The psalmist says, "Confuse, O Lord, divide their tongues, for I have seen violence and strife in the city!" (Ps. 55:9)

Isa. 28:11 recalls Israel's captivity by Assyria. When the Jews heard the Assyrian language being spoken in their mist, it signified to them God's judgment against them. Paul quotes Isa 28:11 in 1 Cor. 14:21 to show that just as disobedient Israel was judged by God's use of a foreign nation, (Assyria) so to would unbelieving Israel be judged (set aside) by God's use of the church, which is comprised of "foreigners." (Eph. 2:11-13) Paul concludes that, ultimately, tongues were a sign of judgment against unbelieving Jews who rejected their Messiah! (1 Cor. 14:22a)

Conclusion

Tongues are a confirmatory sign to the early Christian Jews of God's acceptance of the Gentiles. Therefore, to believing Jews, signified God's blessing towards all man.

Tongues are a sign of judgment against disobedient Israel. Therefore, to unbelieving Jews, tongues signified God's judgment against the nation of Israel.


II. The Definition of Tongues in the NT

Seeking to define biblical terms according to popular opinion and human experiences is always wrong. If one were to define "tongues" today according to popular opinion, he would undoubtedly conclude that tongues are ecstatic utterances. However, if we confine out definition to Scripture we would arrive at an altogether different conclusion. Let's see what the Bible says about tongues.

Greek Word

The Greek word for tongue is "glossa," which refers to the tongue (the organ), language or dialect of a particular people.

Tongues ("glossa") in Acts

Let's examine every instance of the word and it's usage in the book of Acts.

Acts 2:4 This verse refers to tongues as language. Notice verse 6, "And when this sound occurred the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one was hearing them speak in his own language." (NAS)

Acts 2:11 Again, this passage refers to human language.

Acts 10:46 No description is given here.

Acts 11:15 This verse refers us back to the day of Pentecost ("at the beginning") were tongues are understood to be normal languages. So here we learn that tongues in Acts 10:46 are language, since Peter is relating the events of Acts 10:46 in Acts 11:15.

Acts 19:6 So far, since tongues have been defined as language, nothing in the context suggests that we should think any differently about tongues here.

Tongues in Acts are always defined as normal, human languages!

Tongues ("glossa") in 1st Corinthians

Scripture, so far, defines tongues as normal human languages. When one comes to 1st Corinthians he must NOT assume that the meaning of tongues have changed unless the context informs him otherwise.

1 Cor. 13:1 The phrase "tongues of angels" is metaphorical, a figure of speech. Paul employs this phrase (and others) to stress the importance of love. If one spoke the language of heaven itself, but had not love, he is nothing.

Other phrases that are obvious metaphors are "know all mysteries," "know all knowledge," and "have all faith." (1 Cor. 13:2) These descriptions are metaphorical and could not describe an individual, for what human being could be all knowing - "have all knowledge"?

Again, Paul employs these metaphors to stress the importance of love, not to talk about angelic language.

In addition, every angel in Scripture always spoke normal language that humans could understand.

1 Cor. 14:1-12 Tongues refer to normal language. (notice verses 10-11)

Conclusion

In the Bible, tongues always refer to normal, human language.


III. Are Tongues For God and Self?

Read 1 Cor. 14:1-12

When people usually describe the purpose of tongues, they often focus on two main ideas. The first is that tongues are a private prayer language, that is, the tongues speaker is really talking to God. The second is that tongues are for the edification and benefit of the tongues speaker. 1 Cor. 14:1-12 is a favorite passage used to support these ideas. But does this passage really support these things?

Are tongues a private prayer language?

"For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God"

This cannot mean that tongues are for God, since Paul clearly wants tongues translated for men (14:6-11, 27-28)! So what does Paul mean? One must understand the context of Ch. 14:1-12 and realize that Paul is dealing with untranslated tongues. Untranslated tongues are not for men, but for God. Only God understands untranslated tongues and in this was, when tongues are untranslated, men speak to God, but no one understands. This is not good. Why? Because Paul has the edification of the church in view. (14:4,5,12,26) God gives us gifts, not so that we might return them, but so that we might use them on each other. (Eph. 4:7; 14-16)

"But one who prophecies speaks to men for edification..."

Paul contrasts prophecy with untranslated tongues and shows that it is better to prophecy because all are edified. The prophet is not dependant on an interpreter like the tongues speaker is. His word can quickly be understood and edify the group. After all, translated tongues winds up being like prophecy when it's interpreted anyway. Those who prophesy speak to the church for edification, exhortation and consolation. Edification of the assembly is what is important!

Are tongues for self-edification?

"One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself..."

Self-edification in Christian ministry is always wrong and violates the purpose of a spiritual gift! (see 1 Pet. 4:10) We must remember that tongues are a spiritual gift and, therefore given for the benefit of others. While the tongues speaker may be edified in his untranslated language, no one else is. Self-edification is not a justification for speaking in tongues, but rather a condemnation!

"...but one who prophecies edifies the church.."

Again, this emphasizes that Paul's point in 14:1-12 (and throughout the larger context of the chapter, v. 26) is the edification of the assembly.

Conclusion

One's concern with his or her gift should always lead, not to a warped preoccupation with self, but to fervent desire to edify the assembly.


Vin Santanelli