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A Study of Tongues
When Jesus referred to what is commonly called tongues the context was separation, Matt 13:14. In Isaiah 28:11 (The first biblical mention of Tongues) the Priest’s had been rebellious (unbelieving) and had rejected and forgotten the knowledge God had offered them. God had allowed the devil to steal some of their knowledge of the kingdom (Matt 13:11-12, Hosea 4:6).
They were sliding backward in their relationship with God. As a result, the enemy captured them. In effect, God separated believers from unbelievers (1 Cor 14:22). In the case of Isaiah 28 the unbelieving Priests were separated from Isaiah.
It should be noted that this is a gift of speaking, not hearing. The ability to spiritually hear (understand) comes into play in Matt 16:17.
Jesus is our example and to understand the phenomenon called tongues we have to first see what He did and said about the topic.
This study will begin with Mark 16:17 where Jesus said that in His name this sign (tongues), among other signs would follow those who believe. Jesus Himself endorsed this phenomenon, and as with any sign it is meant to communicate or confirm something to others.
Speaking generally this is to signify or prove that God is involved in this event, as if to say God has put His signature on it.
In Acts 2:3 we see that tongues of fire came and rested on each of those present. The phrase tongues of fire is translated in some versions cloven tongues of fire, which is more accurate.
The literal wording is that “languages of fire were distributed” to them, distributed being number 1266 in the Greek dictionary of the New Testament contained in the Strong’s concordance to the Bible and languages being number 1100.
Seen through spiritual eyes, this is a New Testament fulfillment of an Old Testament shadow of things to come.
In Second Chronicles 7:1 we see the fire of God consuming the sacrifices and the Glory of the Lord filling the House of God in response to Solomon’s prayer. Romans 12:1 tells us that Christians should present their bodies as living sacrifices. 1 Corinthians 6:19 states that Christians are the Temple of God.
In concert then we see the fire of God descending upon the Temple. As is the case with the burning bush in Exodus 3:2, the living sacrifice is not consumed. In this case, the living sacrifice speaks forth the language of fire becoming a witness (sign) and a bearer of the fire.
When they spoke languages of fire the discussions themselves were a sign to others that these people were Jesus witnesses, Acts 1:8.
God is described as a Consuming fire Deut 4:24, and there is a biblical correlation between fire and the purifying of metal. It is logical then that this new form of communication will purify Man’s heart.
The next event referred to is in Acts 2:5-11. Devout (God-fearing, 2126 Strong’s) Jews in Jerusalem from every nation under heaven heard about this event and came to see what it was all about.
Jews by definition were from Israel and a non-Israelite could become a Jew through circumcision of the flesh, Ex 12:48. From Acts 2:5 then we see that converts to Judaism were in the group in Jerusalem.
The group of Jewish believers and converts were amazed because they each heard the Galileans speaking about the mysteries of God (1 Cor 14:2) in their native languages.
The native language of the Jews in the group was Hebrew and the native languages of the Jewish converts are mentioned in Acts 2:9-11.
The power from God to be Jesus’ witnesses included the ability to speak of the mysteries of God, 1 Cor 14:2.
It was apparent to the Jews and converts that the Galileans (including uncircumcised followers of Jesus) had received the ability to discuss the mysteries of God.
Until Pentecost, only those circumcised in the flesh could partake of the covenant with God.
Why would hearing the Galilaean followers of Jesus declare the wonders of God be a sign from God to the Jews and converts to Judaism?
One reason that seems to be logical is that God wanted the hearers (circumcised Jews) to know He had accepted those speaking (both circumcised and uncircumcised people from Galilee).
God had given these Galileans the knowledge necessary to understand and speak about the same spiritual mysteries that the God Fearing Jews understood.
They were enabled to speak this way by God; therefore they were to be treated as brethren by the circumcision group.
For an example of this refer to Acts 10:47 where Peter recognized the outpouring because of the language spoken.
In the above-mentioned case and Acts 2:11 it was not the language spoken that served as the sign but the content of the discussions that indicated to the hearers that God had given this “knowledge” (Lk 8:10) to these individuals.
It is important to remember that circumcision was a Jewish requirement and also a requirement for converts.
Now the Jews were hearing people being moved upon by God and they had not undergone physical circumcision. What was God trying to tell them? He was telling them for one thing, that the reality had come and the shadow was no longer a requirement. The shadow is physical circumcision and the reality is circumcision of the heart.
The painful ordeal called circumcision that had been required to have a covenant relationship with God was now being replaced, i.e. a change in the law (Heb 7:12).
Those who had allowed this to be done to them were understandably upset that others were given the same gift without having to go through the physical pain.
The thing they did not realize at the time was that the removal of the fleshly desires from the heart is much more painful than the temporary physical pain caused by circumcision, Ex 12:48-49.
To understand better a knowledge of the times will be helpful. In Isaiah 9:1 Galilee is referred to as Galilee of the nations (or Gentiles). They were considered to be aliens and separated from God up until this time.
Another fact to remember in discussing this is found in Matt 4:25 where we are told that great multitudes followed Jesus, and some of His followers were non-Jewish people, Matt 15:25 and Acts 2:9-11.
Galilee was a melting pot of nationalities and languages; it was not one place but a circle of cities or a district.
The fact that the God-fearing Jews and converts heard the Galileans in their native languages should be not considered the focus of the explanation of this event. This is not a gift of hearing but a gift of the ability to speak concerning the mysteries of God.
The Jews and converts to Judaism heard the Galileans speak in their native languages simply because some of the Galilaean speakers were from the nations from which the Jewish converts were native.
The focus of the event was that Gentiles could now participate in the covenant. This can be seen in Peter’s explanation mentioned in Acts 2:14-21 and Joel 2:28-32.
In Acts 2:6-11 the Jewish believers and converts were commenting on the fact that they heard the Galileans speaking of the “wonderful works of God”.
This was familiar to them because they understood the same “truths” when they entered into their covenant with God.
To assume or read into this event the unscriptural theory of ecstatic utterances is to unduly mystify the topic when a scriptural alternative is available.
This refers to spiritual understanding being communicated, in the speaker’s own language.
This indicates to the hearers that spiritual understanding had been given to the speakers by God (refer to Mt 16:17).
The entire doctrine which can more accurately be called a tradition, of ecstatic utterances was based on a misunderstanding of Acts 2:6 and 7 and 1 Cor 14:2.
Peter was not only explaining this to the Gentiles but also telling His Jewish brethren that this was a fulfillment of prophecy.
So if the God-fearing Jews and converts heard the Galileans speaking the covenant language then they must conclude that God was pouring His Spirit out on all flesh.
This was in response to the circumcision of the heart. Regardless of whether or not the person was circumcised in the flesh.
Below is a description of the languages spoken, we know that languages of fire-
1. declare the works of God
2. are a sign to the hearers
3. the recipients of this gift of languages of fire are given it so that they can be Jesus witnesses
4. God-Fearing people understood the things being said
5. Languages of fire speak of the mysteries of God
To briefly look at the topic from another standpoint, consider what Jesus said to John the Baptist when He was being baptized. In Matt 3:15 He tells John to baptize Him because it was right.
Since Jesus would command people to be baptized He allowed Himself to be baptized. He did not need to be baptized but to serve as our example He submitted to it.
This is mentioned because some people think that even though Jesus was our example He did not speak in tongues because He was the Christ and did not have to. This conclusion is unscriptural.
In 1 Jn 2:6 Jesus is said to be our example. The point is, that if Jesus was baptized to do what is right and serve as our example He also must have spoken in tongues as an example to His followers.
Nowhere in the Bible is it mentioned that Jesus spoke in “ecstatic utterances”, which are referred to as tongues in some sections of the Body of Christ. Regardless of the misunderstanding some people in the Body of Christ have concerning Tongues, as our “example” Jesus unquestionably spoke in Tongues.
Those who think differently do not understand how the Bible describes speaking in Tongues. These people have invented their own form of Godliness and call it speaking in Tongues.
The Bible says that if a person abides in Christ he must walk as He walked, and Jesus said that those who follow Him would speak this way. Also in the case of the Apostle Paul, we are told that He spoke in these languages of fire more than most, 1 Cor 14:18.
Just as in Jesus’ case, the Apostle Paul is never seen in scripture to speak in ecstatic utterances.
Regarding ecstatic utterance, there is no record of Jesus or the Apostle Paul demonstrating this, but as both examples and teachers, there are many demonstrations of their relating the deep mysteries of God.
Referring to the five aspects of languages of fire it can be seen that these two Individuals most certainly communicated this way.
1. Both declared the works of God
2. Their speech was a sign to others
3. Paul was certainly a witness to Jesus
4. God-fearing people understood both of them, and rebellious people had trouble accepting the things they said.
5. Both Jesus and Paul spoke of the mysteries of God more than others did, (we know for certain that people who speak in languages of fire relate mysteries 1 Cor 14:2).
Neither Jesus nor Paul were ever seen to speak in any language that was unintelligible to the hearers except when speaking to people who were rebellious toward God, refer to John 10:19. God does not allow rebellious people to understand with their hearts, Mark 4:11.
When Jesus’ disciples asked Him why He spoke to rebellious people in parables in Matt 13:10-14 and Luke 8:10, He said that this “knowledge” had not been given to them.
Jesus here fulfilled Isaiah’s commission, Isaiah 6:9.
A similar type of speech is referred to by Paul in 1 Cor 2:13.
The Apostle Paul said in 1 Cor 14:21 that this language of fire is spoken of in the law, here refer to Isaiah 28:11. This statement of Paul’s links the Old and New Testament understandings of Tongues.
The words translated with stammering lips in Isaiah 28:11 can be translated – with a people (or person) of “strange language”. The word that was translated as “stammering” is number 3934 in the Old Testament Hebrew dictionary contained in the Strong’s Concordance to the Bible.
This section of scripture (Isaiah 28:11) refers to God speaking to Priest’s whom He had called to but who did not respond correctly to His call.
Because of this incorrect response (rebellion), God decided to speak to them through a person that they could not understand.
This is a fulfillment of what Jesus said in Matt 13:12. They no longer possessed the spiritual knowledge they once had, it had been stolen from them, Matt 13:1-12.
Isaiah and the drunken priests spoke the same earthly language but they did not speak the same spiritual language. The Priest’s could not understand the spiritual truths (mysteries) Isaiah was relating to them. They trusted in ‘Lies” as Isaiah 28:15 says, they thought they would be spared God’s judgment.
As a result of the incorrect response to the call of God the Priests did not understand the meaning of Isaiah’s message and the enemy (devil) captured them, (rebellious or hard-hearted people are allowed to backslide).
This message of Isaiah’s seemed to be foolishness to them 1 Cor 1:21 and 1 Cor 2:14.
The message in Tongues delivered to the Priest’s by Isaiah can be read in Isaiah 28:14-29.
1. This language of fire in this case would be a sign to those who did not respond correctly to God’s call and they would understand that they were foreigners to those speaking, 1 Cor 14:11.
If I (placing myself in the position of the drunken priests in Isaiah 28 to illustrate my point) see a person obviously as blessed by God as Isaiah was and yet I do not understand what He is talking about I am a foreigner to Him.
This should serve to alert me to the fact that since He (Isaiah) is blessed by God but I do not understand Him, God has not given me the same knowledge that He has given to Isaiah (1 Cor 2:14).
Note that a person can (referring again to the example of the priests in Isaiah 28) be a priest and still be unbelieving.
The drunken Priests rejected and forgot the knowledge concerning the rest of God (Hosea 4:6 and Isaiah 28:12 and Heb 4:3), because of this, they were captured by the enemy.
These rulers of Israel (Christianity) had the responsibility of teaching others, Isaiah 28:9.
However, because of their unbelief, they received from God only a little understanding here and a little there. How could these priests teach those maturing?
If a person does not understand a teaching about the mysteries of God (someone speaking in tongues) either they are an unbeliever Matt 13:14 or unlearned 1 Cor 14:16.
2. This language of fire would then burn up the chaff and purify or edify the believer since the understanding of the mysteries of God can do nothing to the believer but make him or her stronger in The Holy Spirit.
So we have Peter and Joel describing the event in Acts chapter 2 and Jesus and Paul and Isaiah telling us why some understand and some do not. The following paragraphs address questions that can be raised concerning Isaiah 28.
Were those speaking in tongues to the rebellious Priests in Isaiah 28:11 the invading armies of the Assyrians?
If this were the case then the Assyrians would be speaking to them regarding the mysteries of God, 1 Cor 14:2.
This could not have been the case because the Assyrians were unbelievers. The one speaking to the rebellious priests in Tongues was Isaiah the author and prophet, in fulfillment of His commission from God (Is 6:9-10).
The question of who is speaking in Isaiah 28:11 is important also because a person could wrongly conclude that the drunken priests are the people speaking to or teaching the Israelites with stammering lips.
Isaiah 28:12 shows us that it is God (the One directing the Priests into the rest of the Lord) who will speak through stammering lips (strange language) to the drunken priests (who would not listen).
In 1 Cor 14:21, the Apostle Paul also tells us that the one speaking in Isaiah 28:11 is the Lord. It is of course God speaking through Isaiah.
Another concern could be that the Apostles are seen as the only people who could speak in tongues. This is seen not to be true by referring to Acts 11:15-17.
Here it is seen that Peter refers to the Gentiles receiving the same gift that He did.
The Gentiles would then be candidates for speaking in tongues, just as those present and speaking in tongues on Pentecost were.
The people who oppose the doctrine of tongues generally accept the same basic definition of what “tongues are” as the charismatic denominations do.
It is almost universally accepted in Christian denominations that tongues are “ecstatic utterances”. The variations concerning this doctrine are generally concerned with the use of the gift.
To regard tongues as “ecstatic utterances” has absolutely no scriptural support.
They feel that the actual act of speaking in tongues pertains to “ecstatic utterances” or “unintelligible melodic sounds spoken in rapid succession”, which is unscriptural.
By making these sounds those who practice this type of activity believe that they are communicating with God. One of the reasons for this misunderstanding is due to the mistranslation of 1 Cor 14:2, which is addressed in the next few paragraphs.
The rest of the study will address some of the possible difficulties with this explanation of the languages of fire, from a charismatic point of view.
Regarding the statement in 1 Cor 12:10 an examination of the Greek word reveals that interpretation can be translated as explanation.
A person can speak of spiritual truths but since God is speaking not everyone can explain these truths.
By substituting the word explanation for the word interpretation a new understanding will become clear.
In 1 Cor 14:2 many translations state that a person speaking in an unknown tongue speaks to God not to man for no man understands Him.
The translation “to God” and “to man” can just as easily be translated as “the God” and “the man”.
We are specifically told that God is speaking to man when He employs someone and speaks through them in mysteries.
This agrees with Isaiah 28:11 where it is indicated that God will speak, and not man.
This translation process is ventured into to prove the point.
The word translated as “unto” is numbered 3588 in Strong’s concordance. This word is not translated in the above translation but is present in the original languages.
This is described as the definite “article” meaning – this- that- these- who- which- etc, and simply refers to the person.
So the word “unto” can accurately be translated as “the” and in this case is mistranslated as “unto”.
With this translation of the word numbered 3588 in Strong’s concordance, the verse reads—
1 Cor 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not—the men—but—the God—for no man understandeth him: howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
This then is in agreement with Isaiah 28:11, and again as is the case in the Job study, a very small mistranslation has created an unscriptural method of thinking.
As far as the rest of 1 Cor 14:2, we are told that no one understands – but upon consideration – this contradicts all the descriptions of languages of fire (tongues).
In several cases including the instance in Acts 2, we are told that God-fearing people did understand, only those referred to as unbelievers and ungifted (unlearned) did not understand.
Because of this and looking at the Greek word that is translated as “understands” (Strong’s 191) but which can be translated as “hears”, the Apostle Paul is referring to Isaiah 28:11-12.
When speaking in 1 Cor 14:2, the phrase no one “understands” would read no one “hears”. In summary, then we know that rebellious people don’t hear, listen or understand the word of God.
There is an interesting distinction in 1 Cor 14:24, both “unbelievers” (Strong’s 571) and those referred to as “ungifted” in 1 Cor 14:16 and again in 1 Cor 14:24 (Strong’s 2399) are identified as those who do not understand languages of fire.
In 1 Cor 14:2 these languages are said to relate the mysteries of God, it is clear from the previous discussion why unbelievers will not understand.
Also, those who are new Christians or unfamiliar with the mysteries being related at the time will possibly have a hard time understanding as well.
All the more reason why the Apostle Paul would rather speak in terms that would be understood by all present in the Church at the time.
Languages of fire, so to speak, are meant to be a sign to rebellious people, indicating to them and to others around them that they are foreigners to the speakers (Christians) and not brethren.
Put another way they are strangers to the covenants of promise, Eph 2:12.
Either the Holy Spirit has not shown them the reality of the spiritual truths because they did not respond correctly to the call of God, or they are not yet mature enough to understand the speaker.
Looking at another possible problem in 1 Cor 14:14 where it is usually conveyed my spirit prays but my mind or understanding is unfruitful.
Consider that the mind being unfruitful is saying that the mind is not bearing fruit, in other words, the mind of the person speaking did not produce this.
This again agrees with Isaiah 28:11 because this is produced by the Spirit of God who is speaking through man.
According to 1 Cor 14:14, if a person prays in a language their Spirit prays, this verse shows us that in biblical terminology speaking in the spirit and tongues are the same thing.
In 1 Cor 12:3 speaking by the Spirit (Holy Ghost) is also mentioned, this reference tells us who is moving the person to speak.
By combining the two verses we can see a clearer picture of speaking by the spirit. The person speaking may be expressing what is in his or her spirit but the ideas being spoken about are originating with God.
These verses then agree with the first Biblical mention of tongues in Isaiah 28:11.
In 1 Cor 14:15 if a person prays or praises (while inside {so to speak}) the Holy Spirit, then they can be misunderstood or not understood at all by the unlearned.
The word used for unlearned is Strong’s 2399 “uninstructed” and is different from the word used for unbelievers which is Strong’s 571 “unbelieving”.
Our idea of music or singing is related to the type of culture we live in. Singing in the Spirit (Singing about the wonders or mysteries of God) was done by the Israelites in psalms. Singing about the mysteries or wonders of God would equate to singing hymns in whatever culture a person is from.
The Apostle certainly wants to speak in or by the Spirit, but if the mysteries spoken of in the Spirit cause a person not to understand then He would rather speak with His mind.
To clarify what the Apostle means when He says He will pray and sing (Strong’s 5567, which means Praise) with His understanding or mind refer to the use of the term understanding in 1 Cor 14:19.
There it can be seen that the phrase speak words with His mind means to be speaking to be understood by the hearers to instruct them.
Refer to 1 Cor 8:13 and remember that Spiritual wisdom is referred to as meat in 1 Cor 3:2.
To be understood this “speaking to be understood” should be contrasted with the reason a person speaks in Tongues concerning unbelievers.
As a sign to unbelievers, the gift of tongues is a tool to show the unbeliever that they are foreigners to the one speaking.
Paul could certainly speak in great detail concerning the mysteries of God. His “knowledge” of the mysteries is certainly above the heads and beyond the understanding of most.
He chose to be understood by the hearers rather than to try to force-feed them meat when they were not ready for it. He gauged his discourse in the Church to the maturity of those present.
Jesus also commented on this when He told His disciples in Jn 16:12-13 that He would not tell them certain things because they could not bear them.
He withheld spiritual wisdom so as not to injure believers with difficult sayings or teachings.
Jesus gives us an example of the proper use of Tongues in John 6:60-66. He uses the language of the fire of God at a time when both believers and unbelievers are present.
In keeping with separating believers from unbelievers Jesus in these verses used the mysteries spoken of to separate the wheat from the chaff.
This resulted in the unbelievers turning back from following Him. In effect purifying the Body of Christ, Mt 13:34.
For someone to speak in the Church’s words too hard for the believers present to understand is discouraged by the Apostle.
Paul preferred to speak to be understood by the hearers when speaking to believers, to instruct them.
Speaking with spiritual wisdom (mysteries) to separate believers from unbelievers is necessary at times (tongues -1 Cor 14:2).
Speaking with the mind concerning the mysteries of God, intending to be understood by the hearers is also necessary (prophesy -1 Cor 14:3).
Each is useful depending on whether believers or unbelievers are being addressed, and Paul said He would use both forms of communication, 1 Cor 14:18-19.
See 1 Cor 2:6 and 7 for an explanation of where Paul spoke hard sayings—among the mature.
Regarding the topic of intercessory prayer in Rm 8:26-27. Consider that in Philippians 2:13 we are told that God works in us to will and do.
This being the case and comparing these verses we can conclude that God speaks to our heart concerning His will.
Searching our hearts then we will know what the mind of the Holy Spirit is (Philippians 2:5) and we can then make intercession for the saints according to God’s will.
1 Cor 14:6 explains that languages of fire may contain or consist of-
1. revelation
2. knowledge
3. prophecy
4. teaching
About the use of prophecy (4395 Strongs) remember this word simply means speaking forth the words of God to comfort or build up and edify others, 1 Cor 14:3.
Speaking in Tongues is the God-given ability to relate the /works/mysteries of God to people in a way that believers will understand and unbelievers will not, Acts 2:11, 1 Cor 14:2 and Matt 13:11-12.
This explanation of the Gift of speaking with languages of Fire will possibly be met with some opposition.
Consider which explanation is easier to verify scripturally this one or those differing from it, and then decide as the Spirit of God leads you. This is only an opinion and as such is probably flawed in some way.
The understanding of mankind can never compete with that of God. The Book of Revelation says that adding to or taking from the words of this prophecy will result in penalties. I feel that this warning pertains to the whole of scripture and not just the Book of Revelation, 2 Tim 3:16 and Rev 22:18-19.
The rewards for obeying the Word of God and the penalties for disobeying the Word of God can be seen in our lives by other people, Matt 12:33 and 1 Cor 11:19.
There are many unscriptural doctrines that religious people adhere to. It is equally clear that this is one of the reasons that there are not more Christ-like people in the Body of Christ.
In recent years there has been much prayer in agreement with Jesus’ prayer to make the body of Christ One, certainly, God is answering this prayer.
Consequently, Jesus’ followers are – at this moment in answer to Jesus’ prayer – being united with the Father in the same manner that Jesus Himself is united to the Father, Jn 17:21.
We are coming into the unity of the knowledge of the Son of God, Eph 4:13.
We must recognize that this means that some of us will have to abandon our opinions, especially the ones that can be summarized by the words “I think”. Opinions are fine but they must ultimately rest on the word of God.
The real question becomes, will we be able to minister God’s love to each other knowing that some have been right and some mistaken?
Jeremiah 5:14 Therefore, thus says the LORD, the God of hosts, Because you have spoken this word, Behold, I am making My words in your mouth fire And this people wood and it will consume them.