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The Gift Of Tongues In Acts Two And First Corinthians Fourteen

Men differ as to the meaning of the gift of tongues in Acts Two and First Corinthians Fourteen. Some say the tongues in Acts 2:4 are languages spoken by men, others believe they refer to a “heavenly language” unknown to men, but understood by God. The same concepts are held regarding the gift of tongues in First Corinthians 14:2.

In Synonyms Of The New Testament (p. 359), Mr. R. C. Trench wrote, “But if in the allos (allos is one word translated “other,” and usually means another of the same kind. gm) there is a negation of identity, there is oftentimes much more in eteros (heteros is another word translated “other,” and usually means another of a different kind. gm), the negation namely, up to a certain point, of resemblance; the assertion not merely of distinctness but of diffrerence....even as the tongues of Pentecost are eterai glossai (other tongues, gm) (Acts ii. 4), being quite different in kind from any other speech of men.” To me, Mr. Trench said that in Acts 2:4 the tongues were not languages understood by men. However, Acts 2:6,11 says they understood what the apostles spoke. In Acts 2:6, the apostles continued the speaking refered to in Acts 2:4.

The following is a lengthy quote, but worthy of consideration. In defining “tongue,” W. E. Vine had this to say: “(b) the supernatural gift of speaking in another language without its having been learnt; In Acts 2:4-13 the circumstances are recorded from the view-point of the hearers; to those in whose language the utterances were made it appeared as a supernatural phenomenon; to others, the stammering of drunkards; what was uttered was not addressed primarily to the audience but consisted in recounting ‘the mighty works of God;’ cp. 2:46; in I Cor., chapters 12 and 14, the use of the gift of tongues is mentioned as exercised in the gatherings of local churches; 12:10 speaks of the gift in general terms, and couples with it that of ‘the interpretation of tongues;’ chapt. 14 gives instruction concerning the use of the gift, the paramount object being the edification of the church; unless the tongue was interpreted the speaker would speak ‘not unto men, but unto God,” v. 2; he would edify himself alone, ver. 4, unless he interpreted, ver. 5, in which case his interpretation would be of the same value as the superior gift of prophesying, as he would edify the church, vv. 4-6; he must pray that he may interpret, ver. 13; if there were no interpreter, he must keep silence, ver. 28, for all things were to be done ‘unto edifying,’ ver. 26. ‘If I come....speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you,’ says the Apostle (expressing the great object in all oral ministry), ‘unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?’ (ver. 6). Tongues were for a sign, not to believers, but to unbelivers, ver. 22, and especially to unbelieving Jews (see ver. 21): cp. the passage in the Acts.” (Vol. 4, Page 142)

In I Corinthians 14:2, what did Paul mean when he wrote, “...for no man understandieth him;...”? He meant the hearers did not understand. This same point was made in I Cor. 14:14-17. To sing and pray with the understanding was to sing and pray SO AS TO BE UNDERSTOOD. Consider v. 17, “For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.” Why was he not edified? He did not understand what was said (v. 16). But the tongue-speaker was edified (v. 4). He and God understood what he was saying. Study carefully. - Glenn Melton

Notice: The "Church Origins" article from the front page of the print version can be found on page 6 of this website publication. This will keep the page naming scheme uniform making my job easier. :-) - Dan

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