1 Corinthians 14:1-25

Speaking in Tongues

I grew up in a rural southern neo-pentecostal setting. In such a setting the rule was that after you were converted and born again you then were to seek after the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This usually involved several lengthy prayer sessions with others helping you to “pray through”. It was expected that when you finally did receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit everyone would know because you would start to speak in tongues. 

I’m not interested in arguing the validity of the theological basis for this practice. While I no longer see things working exactly this way the fact is that it pretty much worked for me and has “worked” for millions of others as well, so I certainly would not disparage it. But once you receive this gift of tongues, what then? What do you do with such a gift?

One thing that can be done is to use it in conjunction with the gift of interpretation of tongues in the setting of a public service. This was another custom with which I became quite familiar growing up. In fact, in some circles whether or not there was a message in tongues and an interpretation in the service is somewhat of a litmus test of how “good” the service was. Paul give validity to such a practice both in this passage and in the one we will read tomorrow; however, it makes it pretty clear that he prefers prophecy to the more unwieldy two part process of tongues and interpretation.

What else? In my own life I have found the use of tongues as a private devotional tool to be of great value, and I believe the apostle Paul must have as well. Paul tells the Corinthians that he speak in tongues more than all of them. Yet, he also makes clear that in public he much prefers speaking in a known language. When was he doing all of this speaking in tongues if not in public? The only other conclusion is that he spoke in tongues in private, a lot. Why would he do that? “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.” If you are going to speak in public it is important that the mind be fruitful, but if in private there is a wonderful and important place for simply allowing the spirit to take over.

It would be remiss of me to make no mention of the rather confusing last four verses. In truth, I don’t really know the answer to this seeming riddle. One answer that helps me is to understand that in verse five Paul essentially equates tongues and interpretation with prophecy. Therefore, he could well be saying that if you bring only a tongue without interpretation unbelievers will think you are crazy. But if you add interpretation to tongues then they will be amazed convicted and repent. 

If that doesn’t do it for you then put this on your list of things to ask when you get to eternity.