Apostle Paul On Tongues In 1 Corinthians

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Cee

Senior Member
May 14, 2010
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No one knows, but God.
Gift of interpretation is the Spirit sharing what is being spoken.

So you know, I'm not being a naysayer, but honestly, I have yet to hear or be edified by anyone speaking in an unknown tongue, foreign or 'angelic', and have never seen or heard an interpretor of 'tongues'. I would love to check it out and find out what it is all about, plus be edified.

Btw, someone said NO ONE understood, so how did the interpretor know what was being said?
 

BenFTW

Senior Member
Oct 7, 2012
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So you know, I'm not being a naysayer, but honestly, I have yet to hear or be edified by anyone speaking in an unknown tongue, foreign or 'angelic', and have never seen or heard an interpretor of 'tongues'. I would love to check it out and find out what it is all about, plus be edified.

Btw, someone said NO ONE understood, so how did the interpretor know what was being said?
They know what is being said because they have a gift of interpretation of tongues so that they may receive revelation of what is being said (to share with others for their edification). Keep in mind however the Lord controls what the interpreter may receive and not receive.

There have been times the interpreter (after having heard tongues) didn't receive anything or they only got a little bit and say, "Some of it was shielded. Like a shielded prayer." The Lord determines what the interpreter can share and what in the tongues is to be revealed.

An interpreter once described it as like the words were just going around them, they couldn't grasp what was being said. They weren't meant to. So, as you can see, the Lord not only gives the utterance but also the interpretation.
 

RickyZ

Senior Member
Sep 20, 2012
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There was no interpreter present at Pentecost, the people heard the tongues in their own languages.
Is it possible that those hearing served as their own interpreters?
 

BenFTW

Senior Member
Oct 7, 2012
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It actually takes a leap of faith in operating in the gift of tongues and interpretation. Especially for the interpreter because they have to step out with the info provided by the Spirit through the tongues and believe they heard Him accurately. One time an interpreter and I ministered to a person in tongues and interpretation and he started speaking about the man's daughter (that we had no clue existed) and afterwards the interpreter jested and said, "You have a daughter, right?" lol He wanted to make sure it was all accurate. The man did have a daughter.
 
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jaybird88

Guest
whats the difference in angel tongues and pagan tongues such as the oracle of Delphi?
 

BenFTW

Senior Member
Oct 7, 2012
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Is it possible that those hearing served as their own interpreters?
It can be speculated, and if I remember correctly I think this is what Cee believes. The people were speaking to God in tongues, magnifying God and then the people heard them speaking in their languages. People usually think the tongue speakers were addressing the people present but that isn't what the text says. It says they were speaking to God.
 
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BenFTW said:
Instead of tearing down others operating in the gifts the Lord has given them maybe you could encourage them to use their gifts for the edification of others. That might be more helpful than trying to invalidate their experience with a doctrine of Cessationism.
Amen. I believe 1 Corinthians 12:18-25 clarifies very succinctly that each member of the body of Christ is to have the same care one for another. the non-speaking-in-tongues believer is to care for the speaking-in-tongues believer in the same manner as he/she cares for the non-speaking-in-tongues believer (and vice versa).

1 Corinthians 12:

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?

20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:

25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.



On a personal level, I do not believe God sees a difference between the tongues-speaking believer and the non-tongues-speaking believer. He sees all believers as His children, whether we speak in tongues or do not speak in tongues. And He hears the prayer of the non-tongues-speaking believer the same as He hears the prayer of the tongues-speaking believer. God's desire is that there be no schism in the body over the issue of speaking in tongues. My prayer is that each member would have the same care one for another and that we would focus our attention on the One Who brings us into the fellowship with each other (i.e. the Lord Jesus Christ).
 
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emjcares said:
So you know, I'm not being a naysayer, but honestly, I have yet to hear or be edified by anyone speaking in an unknown tongue, foreign or 'angelic', and have never seen or heard an interpretor of 'tongues'. I would love to check it out and find out what it is all about, plus be edified.

Btw, someone said NO ONE understood, so how did the interpretor know what was being said?
As Cee and Ben explain, the Spirit reveals to the believer.

1 Corinthians 12:11 tells us all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit. It is the one and the selfsame Spirit which enables the manifestation within the believer. In other words, it's not a spirit which energizes kinds of tongues, and a different spirit which energizes the interpretation of tongues. It is one and the selfsame Spirit which works all in all. It is the Spirit which gives the utterance (Acts 2:4) when the believer speaks in tongues and it the Spirit which gives the utterance when the believer evidences the interpretation of tongues.
 
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UnderGrace

Guest
whats the difference in angel tongues and pagan tongues such as the oracle of Delphi?
Good question because studies have shown no difference, when samples have been taken from believers and non believers speaking in tongues the researchers found no difference, no patterns, no consistent morphology, phonology or syntax.
 
Mar 23, 2016
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UnderGrace said:
jaybird88 said:
whats the difference in angel tongues and pagan tongues such as the oracle of Delphi?
Good question because studies have shown no difference, when samples have been taken from believers and non believers speaking in tongues the researchers found no difference, no patterns, no consistent morphology, phonology or syntax.
First, I would like to clarify that non believers cannot/do not speak in tongues. One must be born again in order to speak in tongues.

Secondly, that "researchers found no difference, no patterns, no consistent morphology, phonology or syntax" does not mean there is no difference between the genuine manifestation energized by the Holy Spirit in a believer and a non believer attempting to simulate the manifestation.

If/when the manifestation is energized by the one and the selfsame Spirit as 1 Corinthians 12 states, this is not the same as a person praying with their understanding or a person using their understanding to speak words. There is a difference, and it is spiritual.

Man can explain spiritual matters in man's terms, but there can be a breakdown in the understanding between the natural and the spiritual. I watched a TV documentary on the burning bush of Exodus 3 and the explanation by natural man was that in the area where it happened, certain bushes contained oils which ignited under natural circumstances. While this is plausible to natural man in order to explain away the fact that God was working with Moses, this does not mean God did not cause the bush to burn and that God spoke to Moses at that time.
 
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UnderGrace

Guest
We have language, an innate ability, every known language has organization and linguistical patterns. The innate ability was designed by God, anything that is going to be a higher form of what we have should show even greater qualities of our language structures not less.

One would think if one is going to be reasonable, that a private unknown language from a spiritual realm would be of higher linguistic patterns rather than lower, and I mean much much lower.

Science tells us we are on a sphere, yet many believers believe it is a flat earth contrary to science. This is about the same thing.

If this phenomena had started 1975 even, rather than 1901 it would have been quickly discredited but unfortunately in more than 60 years it has gained such acceptance, and now it is not only about tongues but uncontrollable twitching, bending, jerking, barking and being drunk in the spirit, and the sad thing is no one even questions its veracity and if you do, well you are a skeptic or worse yet perhaps not a true believer.




First, I would like to clarify that non believers cannot/do not speak in tongues. One must be born again in order to speak in tongues.

Secondly, that "researchers found no difference, no patterns, no consistent morphology, phonology or syntax" does not mean there is no difference between the genuine manifestation energized by the Holy Spirit in a believer and a non believer attempting to simulate the manifestation.

If/when the manifestation is energized by the one and the selfsame Spirit as 1 Corinthians 12 states, this is not the same as a person praying with their understanding or a person using their understanding to speak words. There is a difference, and it is spiritual.

Man can explain spiritual matters in man's terms, but there can be a breakdown in the understanding between the natural and the spiritual. I watched a TV documentary on the burning bush of Exodus 3 and the explanation by natural man was that in the area where it happened, certain bushes contained oils which ignited under natural circumstances. While this is plausible to natural man in order to explain away the fact that God was working with Moses, this does not mean God did not cause the bush to burn and that God spoke to Moses at that time.
 
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Hi renewed. Thanks.
Q. Is it possible for someone born-again to speak 'tongues-like' but it's not really God's talk? i.e., You see folks on tv speak in tongues, they claim to be bornagain, but the tongues they manifest don't seem legit, have no interpretation, and don't seem to edify anyone. I realize it's possible that some are just phonies, but is it possible that some are christians, but are just getting their tongues wrong?

Also, is it possible for someone to believe in Jesus, yet go through their whole life and never experience the benefit and edification from this gift, whether in themselves, or by someone else in the body, while so many thousands of others are receiving spiritual blessings from it?

As time goes on, I'm starting to wonder why I've never had any experience at all with this, not so much as to even hear it, I don't think, let alone get blessed by it, and I don't know if I am right to be getting a bit worried that I'm missing out, or being left behind as everyone is receiving a hidden benefit or like a bonus blessing. That probably sounds silly, but I am starting to wonder if this is a bad sign regarding where I stand in Christ.
 
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jaybird88

Guest

First, I would like to clarify that non believers cannot/do not speak in tongues. One must be born again in order to speak in tongues.

Secondly, that "researchers found no difference, no patterns, no consistent morphology, phonology or syntax" does not mean there is no difference between the genuine manifestation energized by the Holy Spirit in a believer and a non believer attempting to simulate the manifestation.

If/when the manifestation is energized by the one and the selfsame Spirit as 1 Corinthians 12 states, this is not the same as a person praying with their understanding or a person using their understanding to speak words. There is a difference, and it is spiritual.

Man can explain spiritual matters in man's terms, but there can be a breakdown in the understanding between the natural and the spiritual. I watched a TV documentary on the burning bush of Exodus 3 and the explanation by natural man was that in the area where it happened, certain bushes contained oils which ignited under natural circumstances. While this is plausible to natural man in order to explain away the fact that God was working with Moses, this does not mean God did not cause the bush to burn and that God spoke to Moses at that time.
and the difference between the 2 is what? how would a believer or non believer know the difference?

and if there is none, why would the Lord Most High direct people to use language the same as pagan priest?

and how would language like pagans be a sign to non believers?
 

RickyZ

Senior Member
Sep 20, 2012
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First, I would like to clarify that non believers cannot/do not speak in tongues. One must be born again in order to speak in tongues.
I'm going to throw a question mark on that. satan copies and falsifies everything God does. That includes tongues, as evidenced by the existence of this thread. Does a false tongue have to come from a believer? I've heard it used in satanic rituals. I've seen satan use unbeliever's falsehoods to confuse believers. I don't doubt that some unsaved might innocently try. I tend to believe that there are fleshly and even 'satanic tongues'.

That is again, why Paul went to some length to tell us to do it but do it correctlyor don't do it at all.
 

Cee

Senior Member
May 14, 2010
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Praying and speaking to an invisible God makes no logical sense either. But if people were to question us about it, we would tell them I understand what you're saying, but you don't understand what I understand. I pray that you do though and you know God in this way like I do.

This is a similar situation. Those who do not speak in tongues are telling people who do that they can not, it's not Scriptural, and other things that they have no knowledge of. Scripture is clear to those who are willing to let it be true. The evidence is surely there. Just as it is there, for those who do not know God, but are willing to allow Him to be true.
 

DP

Banned
Sep 27, 2015
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You can disagree all you want.

You keep saying it's known languages. And I've shown you many times it CAN'T BE known languages.

It's absolutely impossible for it to be known languages.
Not only... does Acts 2 declare that what was heard was KNOWN languages, but in the NT Greek there is an alternation sealing in what they heard within the Scripture by The Holy Spirit.


From 1611 KJV and the Greek New Testament manuscripts they used:

Acts 2:3 - "tongues" = Greek glossa, meaning known languages of the world

Acts 2:4 - "tongues" = Greek glossa again in the NT manuscripts

Acts 2:6 - "language" = Greek dialektoo, meaning dialects of a known languages

Acts 2:8 - "tongue" = Greek dialektoo, again meaning dialects of known languages

Acts 2:11 - "tongues" = Greek glossa, known languages

Acts 2:26 - "tongue" = Greek glosssa, known language

So what the Greek manuscripts has on what was spoken on Pentecost is a alternation in the Greek, with:

a - glossa
a - glossa
.b - dialektoo
.b - dialektoo
a - glossa
a - glossa


That's God's markings in His Word by The Holy Spirit. God's Word often does that with providing a subject pattern, which is why we often find some exact verses repeated one or more times within a Bible Chapter, so as to provide that kind alternation pattern. This shows beyond... any doubt, that what was spoken and what was heard on Pentecost were 'known' languages... of the world, and not just languages, but the very dialects... of those languages, centering even on the very town or village where the hearers were born!
 
A

AugustaSteve

Guest
1 Cor 12:7 states "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal." The word "but", sets in contrast that which is to come with that which came before..."But the manifestation of the spirit....Now it talks about the manifestation (In the singular in both the greek and Aramaic). Acts 2:38 states, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." the word "the" just before Holy Ghost isn't in any of the greek texts, it reads "the gift of holy spirit. This agrees with 1Th5:23, "...and I pray your whole (entire) spirit, and soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. When we're born again, we receive God's seed in us, holy spirit (John 4:24). We are no longer men and women of body and soul, we are new creations, body, soul and spirit. The manifestation of that new spirit is "for profit". The word "for" is the greek word pros, making "profit" a noun. then the next verses are clear. 1Cor 12:8, "For one profit is given..." The thing that stands out to me is that the word translated "manifestation" is in the singular, as in Gal 5:22, the word for the "fruit" of the spirit is also in the singular. When we receive the new birth spirit, we have 9 manifestations. As we walk by the spirit, "fruit" grows, not fruit of the mind, but fruit of the spirit, thank God...
 
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UnderGrace said:
now it is not only about tongues but uncontrollable twitching, bending, jerking, barking and being drunk in the spirit,
Ignorance of the invaluable instruction in 1 Cor 12 – 14 by some who behave in this manner does not negate the true energizing by the Holy Spirit.



UnderGrace said:
and the sad thing is no one even questions its veracity and if you do, well you are a skeptic or worse yet perhaps not a true believer.
I have no problem with questioning the improper behavior which occurs and I do not believe a person who is born again but does not speak in tongues is not a true believer.

I do have a problem with believers who do not speak in tongues inferring that those believers who do speak in tongues are under the influence of devils.
 
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emjcares said:
Q. Is it possible for someone born-again to speak 'tongues-like' but it's not really God's talk?
No. Speaking in tongues is speaking in tongues.

If the Spirit is not giving the utterance (Acts 2:4), or if the Spirit is not energizing as shown in 1 Cor 12, then it is not speaking in tongues.



emjcares said:
You see folks on tv speak in tongues, they claim to be bornagain, but the tongues they manifest don't seem legit, have no interpretation, and don't seem to edify anyone. I realize it's possible that some are just phonies, but is it possible that some are christians, but are just getting their tongues wrong?
I have not watched anyone on tv so I cannot comment on whether a person has or has not spoken in tongues.

If the speaking in tongues occurs in a congregational setting, interpretation of tongues should also occur as instructed in 1 Cor 14.



emjcares said:
Also, is it possible for someone to believe in Jesus, yet go through their whole life and never experience the benefit and edification from this gift, whether in themselves, or by someone else in the body, while so many thousands of others are receiving spiritual blessings from it?
Yes, it is possible for a born again believer to not speak in tongues.



emjcares said:
As time goes on, I'm starting to wonder why I've never had any experience at all with this, not so much as to even hear it, I don't think, let alone get blessed by it, and I don't know if I am right to be getting a bit worried that I'm missing out, or being left behind as everyone is receiving a hidden benefit or like a bonus blessing. That probably sounds silly, but I am starting to wonder if this is a bad sign regarding where I stand in Christ.
You are precious in God's sight. Do not ever question or doubt God's love for you. Romans 8:38-39 tells us neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Nothing shall be able to separate us from God's love, and that includes not speaking in tongues.