Tongues and Interpretation
Focus Scripture:
“If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.”
— 1 Corinthians 14:27
What You Will Walk Away With
- The gift of tongues is a biblical spiritual manifestation that should operate according to biblical order.
- Public tongues in the gathered church should be accompanied by interpretation so that the congregation can be edified.
- Spiritual gifts are not meant to create confusion or personal display but to serve the purposes of God and build up His people.
Order in the Use of Tongues
The New Testament gives clear attention to the gift of tongues and its proper place within the gathered church. Paul does not dismiss the gift, but neither does he permit it to operate without order. His instruction is straightforward: “let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.”
This gives us an important principle for understanding spiritual gifts: biblical spirituality includes biblical order.
The Corinthian church was experiencing genuine spiritual manifestations, but their gatherings had become disorderly. Paul therefore did not respond by rejecting spiritual gifts. Instead, he taught them how those gifts should function in a way that benefited the entire church.
Tongues are one of the manifestations associated with the Holy Spirit. Scripture records believers speaking in tongues in different contexts, and Paul himself acknowledges and values the gift. Yet when considering its public use in the gathered church, Paul places particular emphasis on interpretation.
Why?
Because the purpose of public ministry is edification.
If someone speaks in a tongue publicly and nobody understands what has been communicated, the congregation cannot benefit from the message unless it is interpreted. Interpretation therefore allows what has been spoken to become understandable to the gathered believers.
Paul’s instruction demonstrates that the miraculous does not operate outside God’s concern for order and understanding.
Spiritual Intensity vs. Spiritual Maturity
This also means that spiritual intensity is not the same thing as spiritual maturity. A meeting may contain powerful manifestations and still require correction in how those manifestations are exercised. The presence of a gift does not give someone permission to disregard biblical instruction.
Paul therefore establishes boundaries: two or at most three, speaking in turn, and with interpretation. If there is no interpreter, the instruction is that the person should keep silent in the church and speak to himself and to God.
These instructions are not designed to quench the Spirit. They demonstrate that the Spirit’s work can function within order.
This is an important corrective to two opposite errors.
One error is to reject tongues simply because they have sometimes been misused.
The other is to assume that anything done in the name of tongues must automatically be accepted as genuine spiritual activity.
Scripture calls us to a better way: receive what God has given, but practice it according to His Word.
The Goal: Edification and Glory
The gift should never become a means of drawing attention to the speaker. Nor should tongues become a measure of spiritual superiority. Spiritual gifts do not determine a person’s worth or maturity. Their value is found in how faithfully they serve God’s purposes.
The goal in the gathered church is not simply that something supernatural happens.
The goal is that Christ is glorified and His people are edified.
Therefore, the miraculous and the orderly are not opposites.
The Holy Spirit who gives the gift also gives wisdom concerning its proper use.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, thank You for the gifts You give to the body of Christ. Give me understanding concerning tongues and interpretation, and teach me to honor Your gifts according to Your Word. Keep me from misuse, pride, and confusion, and let everything done in the Church bring glory to Christ and edify His people. Amen.
Declaration
I DECLARE:
- I honor the gifts of the Holy Spirit according to God’s Word.
- I will pursue spiritual gifts with wisdom, humility, and love.
- I will not use spiritual manifestations for personal attention or superiority.
- Everything I do in the body of Christ will promote edification and glorify Jesus.
Action Points
- Read 1 Corinthians 14:26–28 and observe Paul’s instructions concerning tongues and interpretation.
- Examine whether your understanding of spiritual gifts is shaped more by Scripture or by experiences and traditions.
- Pray for wisdom to exercise every spiritual gift in a way that strengthens the body of Christ.
Memory Verse (Optional)
“If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.”
— 1 Corinthians 14:27
Written by: Dr. Abraham Peter
