Tongues: An Ancient Problem
This is the second part of a series on speaking in tongues. To get a better context of this article, we recommend reading the previous part, Part 1: “Speaking in Tongues is Not Magic”.
Don’t worry, the Corinthians didn’t get it either!
Do you think Christian leaders today face complex issues in their churches? Well, when I read 1 Corinthians, I find myself thanking God that I’m not leading a community of believers like this one! In one letter, Paul confronts such significant problems as a partisan spirit (chapters 1-4), sexual immorality among family members (5), scandalous and public lawsuits (6), false and damaging teaching about marriage (7), unhealthy mixing with idols/pagan religion (8-10), socio-economic discrimination and a general disregard for the poor around the Lord’s Table (11), and potentially the denial of the resurrection of the dead (15). And this doesn’t even begin to touch 2 Corinthians…yikes!
Sandwiched in there in 1 Corinthians 12-14 is Paul’s deep concern over his readers’ shallow understanding, and unhealthy expressions, of the Spiritual gifts (“grace-things” and “Spirit-things” in Paul’s native tongue). And, as most scholars note, at the heart of the Corinthians’ dysfunction was their confusion over the nature and purpose of the gift of tongues. This is why chapter 14 is the practical payoff that Paul builds up to in chapters 12-13. What I think is fascinating is that in spite of the fact that speaking in tongues was causing problems in Corinth, Paul does not (1) deny that the Corinthians were actually speaking by the Spirit, (2) deny that speaking in tongues itself should be a normal, ongoing expression of Spirit-speech, or (3) forbid people from continuing to exercise this gift. Kind of makes you wonder why…
Here are 4 helpful insights from the 1 Corinthians 14 that explain its value for the original readers, and I would suggest, for us as well.
1. Speaking in tongues is a good gift that is to be desired
In 1 Corinthians 14:1, Paul offers his readers a general command to “earnestly desire the spiritual gifts” (14:1). Four verses later, he says plainly, “I want you all to speak in tongues” (14:5). Now, it is true that Paul follows this statement by noting that he wants them to prophesy even more than speak in tongues. But, this hardly means that he doesn’t want them to speak in tongues! I can ‘want’ a cheeseburger ‘more than’ I want fries with it, but it hardly means I don’t want fries at all. You know what I mean? Paul prefers prophecy in this context because it provides greater benefit for the gathered community (14:5, 12, 19, 23-25, 28), and not because tongues is something less than an authentic expression of the Spirit.
In fact, Paul thanks God that he speaks in tongues more than his readers (14:18), and clearly values this expression of spirituality. His desire for them seems to be born out of the positive experience of speaking in tongues that characterized his own life in Christ. He’s not speaking theoretically about this. He is being very practical. He knows the way God’s grace has impacted his own life through tongues, and is urging the Corinthians to adopt a similar mindset. This should give us a great deal of confidence, joy and anticipation as we seek God for this gift. And, for those of us who demonstrate this gift in our lives, it should encourage us to do so with faith and gratitude!
2. Speaking in tongues is a non-rational form of communication between our spirit and God
In the western world, in many ways, we have an unhealthy dependence on the power of our intelligence. We stress learning, teaching, comprehension and the accumulation of knowledge as indicators of progress in discipleship. Now, in and of themselves, these things are not necessarily wrong. But, with respect to tongues, Paul describes another form of connection between us and God that is not dependent upon the “mind” for its effectiveness (14:14-15).
Paul refers to tongues as a way that we actually communicate with God (14:2, 28). It is speech that contains “mysteries” that are not “intelligible” to the speaker or other listeners (14:2, 13-15), and Paul suggests it may be understood to be speaking (14:2), prayer (14:14), singing (14:15), and thanksgiving (14:16, 17). What’s more, I doubt very much that Paul was trying to be comprehensive here with the way he describes these forms (since his is not comprehensive in any of his lists of spiritual gifts in these chapters), so there may even be more ways that tongues function as communication directed to God.
And, the mysteries?! Well, it seems that we have the privilege of announcing, praying, singing, and even thanking God for things that constitute elements of the divine Master Plan, and which are not necessarily dependent upon the human mind to articulate them (14:9, 14). Some of the things Paul calls “mysteries” include the union of Jew and Gentile in the Messiah (Eph 3:6), the resurrection from the dead (1 Cor 15:51), the salvation of Israel (Rom 11:25), and the indwelling of Christ within his people as a guarantee of the Age to Come (Col 1:27). What astonishing and mind-blowing things may be the content of speech in tongues! It seems we may be expressing things that describe, advance or otherwise celebrate God’s eternal purpose! This is both wondrous and humbling, since we can participate in a form of prayer and worship that moves beyond our conscious understanding.
3. Speaking in tongues builds us up spiritually
Paul reveals that speaking in tongues is actually a way individuals can edify themselves, or build themselves up in a spiritual manner (1 Cor 14:4). He doesn’t explain exactly how this happens, but he is definitely convinced that it happens! The speaker-in-tongues is clearly “fruitful” (14:14-15) as it pertains to his or her own spiritual growth and is “giving thanks well enough” (14:17), which results in edification to his/her own person. This is another amazing benefit of praying in tongues, and suggests that this form of Spiritual speech has some type of power to add to the spiritual quality of the individual’s life – even if there is no conscious understanding of the speech.
But, this shouldn’t really strike us as odd. If we’re honest, we’ll realize that there are many ways things grow in the Kingdom that we are at a loss to explain. I think here of Paul’s statement earlier in 1 Corinthians 3:5-8 that “only God…gives the growth” when it comes to the fruit of the ministry of the likes of Paul and Apollos. Some can plant and water, but the mystery of true Kingdom growth lies in God. So, is it really such a scandal if God chooses to edify us without our intellectual participation? Is it really so difficult to believe that speaking in tongues is a vehicle for personal growth and development in Christ, in spite of the fact that the mind is “unfruitful”?
4. Praying for interpretation edifies the speaker and the hearers
People who speak in tongues should take seriously Paul’s conviction that praying for interpretation is also valuable and desirable, so that there can be understanding if God so grants it (1 Cor 14:5, 13, 27). Paul argues that public speaking in tongues (that is, in a corporate worship service or some such thing) must be interpreted in order for it to be “in order” (14:5, 9, 27, 40), since only then can it edify others (the point of the corporate gathering, from Paul’s point of view). Private speaking in tongues edifies regardless of whether it is interpreted (14:4, 14-15), though it might also be useful to pray for interpretation in this case, in the event that the Spirit might show the pray-er what s/he is interceding for, to engage the mind in the process of prayer (14:13-15).
Having an unfruitful mind in prayer may be appropriate for a time, but clearly a sharp sense of Spiritual perception and a hearty cognitive agreement with God’s purposes and plans is something that Paul also values deeply (see Ephesians 1:15-23, for example). Paul encourages people to pray for “the power to interpret” because it provides an effective way to translate a personal source of edification into a corporate form of blessing and building up of Christ’s body.
So, why does Paul seem to steer the Corinthians away from tongues then?
It’s a very good question. Paul definitely pushes his readers in the direction of prophecy, rather than tongues in this passage. But, his reasons are understandable when we keep the broader context in view. Needless to say, it’s not because he cares little about tongues; nor is it because he is preparing for the “ceasing” of this “sign gift” in the church due to the conclusion of the New Testament canon. Tune in next time to better understand Paul’s motives for preferring prophecy over tongues ‘in church’!
Don’t worry, the Corinthians didn’t get it either!
Do you think Christian leaders today face complex issues in their churches? Well, when I read 1 Corinthians, I find myself thanking God that I’m not leading a community of believers like this one! In one letter, Paul confronts such significant problems as a partisan spirit (chapters 1-4), sexual immorality among family members (5), scandalous and public lawsuits (6), false and damaging teaching about marriage (7), unhealthy mixing with idols/pagan religion (8-10), socio-economic discrimination and a general disregard for the poor around the Lord’s Table (11), and potentially the denial of the resurrection of the dead (15). And this doesn’t even begin to touch 2 Corinthians…yikes!
Sandwiched in there in 1 Corinthians 12-14 is Paul’s deep concern over his readers’ shallow understanding, and unhealthy expressions, of the Spiritual gifts (“grace-things” and “Spirit-things” in Paul’s native tongue). And, as most scholars note, at the heart of the Corinthians’ dysfunction was their confusion over the nature and purpose of the gift of tongues. This is why chapter 14 is the practical payoff that Paul builds up to in chapters 12-13. What I think is fascinating is that in spite of the fact that speaking in tongues was causing problems in Corinth, Paul does not (1) deny that the Corinthians were actually speaking by the Spirit, (2) deny that speaking in tongues itself should be a normal, ongoing expression of Spirit-speech, or (3) forbid people from continuing to exercise this gift. Kind of makes you wonder why…
Here are 4 helpful insights from the 1 Corinthians 14 that explain its value for the original readers, and I would suggest, for us as well.
1. Speaking in tongues is a good gift that is to be desired
In 1 Corinthians 14:1, Paul offers his readers a general command to “earnestly desire the spiritual gifts” (14:1). Four verses later, he says plainly, “I want you all to speak in tongues” (14:5). Now, it is true that Paul follows this statement by noting that he wants them to prophesy even more than speak in tongues. But, this hardly means that he doesn’t want them to speak in tongues! I can ‘want’ a cheeseburger ‘more than’ I want fries with it, but it hardly means I don’t want fries at all. You know what I mean? Paul prefers prophecy in this context because it provides greater benefit for the gathered community (14:5, 12, 19, 23-25, 28), and not because tongues is something less than an authentic expression of the Spirit.
In fact, Paul thanks God that he speaks in tongues more than his readers (14:18), and clearly values this expression of spirituality. His desire for them seems to be born out of the positive experience of speaking in tongues that characterized his own life in Christ. He’s not speaking theoretically about this. He is being very practical. He knows the way God’s grace has impacted his own life through tongues, and is urging the Corinthians to adopt a similar mindset. This should give us a great deal of confidence, joy and anticipation as we seek God for this gift. And, for those of us who demonstrate this gift in our lives, it should encourage us to do so with faith and gratitude!
2. Speaking in tongues is a non-rational form of communication between our spirit and God
In the western world, in many ways, we have an unhealthy dependence on the power of our intelligence. We stress learning, teaching, comprehension and the accumulation of knowledge as indicators of progress in discipleship. Now, in and of themselves, these things are not necessarily wrong. But, with respect to tongues, Paul describes another form of connection between us and God that is not dependent upon the “mind” for its effectiveness (14:14-15).
Paul refers to tongues as a way that we actually communicate with God (14:2, 28). It is speech that contains “mysteries” that are not “intelligible” to the speaker or other listeners (14:2, 13-15), and Paul suggests it may be understood to be speaking (14:2), prayer (14:14), singing (14:15), and thanksgiving (14:16, 17). What’s more, I doubt very much that Paul was trying to be comprehensive here with the way he describes these forms (since his is not comprehensive in any of his lists of spiritual gifts in these chapters), so there may even be more ways that tongues function as communication directed to God.
And, the mysteries?! Well, it seems that we have the privilege of announcing, praying, singing, and even thanking God for things that constitute elements of the divine Master Plan, and which are not necessarily dependent upon the human mind to articulate them (14:9, 14). Some of the things Paul calls “mysteries” include the union of Jew and Gentile in the Messiah (Eph 3:6), the resurrection from the dead (1 Cor 15:51), the salvation of Israel (Rom 11:25), and the indwelling of Christ within his people as a guarantee of the Age to Come (Col 1:27). What astonishing and mind-blowing things may be the content of speech in tongues! It seems we may be expressing things that describe, advance or otherwise celebrate God’s eternal purpose! This is both wondrous and humbling, since we can participate in a form of prayer and worship that moves beyond our conscious understanding.
3. Speaking in tongues builds us up spiritually
Paul reveals that speaking in tongues is actually a way individuals can edify themselves, or build themselves up in a spiritual manner (1 Cor 14:4). He doesn’t explain exactly how this happens, but he is definitely convinced that it happens! The speaker-in-tongues is clearly “fruitful” (14:14-15) as it pertains to his or her own spiritual growth and is “giving thanks well enough” (14:17), which results in edification to his/her own person. This is another amazing benefit of praying in tongues, and suggests that this form of Spiritual speech has some type of power to add to the spiritual quality of the individual’s life – even if there is no conscious understanding of the speech.
But, this shouldn’t really strike us as odd. If we’re honest, we’ll realize that there are many ways things grow in the Kingdom that we are at a loss to explain. I think here of Paul’s statement earlier in 1 Corinthians 3:5-8 that “only God…gives the growth” when it comes to the fruit of the ministry of the likes of Paul and Apollos. Some can plant and water, but the mystery of true Kingdom growth lies in God. So, is it really such a scandal if God chooses to edify us without our intellectual participation? Is it really so difficult to believe that speaking in tongues is a vehicle for personal growth and development in Christ, in spite of the fact that the mind is “unfruitful”?
4. Praying for interpretation edifies the speaker and the hearers
People who speak in tongues should take seriously Paul’s conviction that praying for interpretation is also valuable and desirable, so that there can be understanding if God so grants it (1 Cor 14:5, 13, 27). Paul argues that public speaking in tongues (that is, in a corporate worship service or some such thing) must be interpreted in order for it to be “in order” (14:5, 9, 27, 40), since only then can it edify others (the point of the corporate gathering, from Paul’s point of view). Private speaking in tongues edifies regardless of whether it is interpreted (14:4, 14-15), though it might also be useful to pray for interpretation in this case, in the event that the Spirit might show the pray-er what s/he is interceding for, to engage the mind in the process of prayer (14:13-15).
Having an unfruitful mind in prayer may be appropriate for a time, but clearly a sharp sense of Spiritual perception and a hearty cognitive agreement with God’s purposes and plans is something that Paul also values deeply (see Ephesians 1:15-23, for example). Paul encourages people to pray for “the power to interpret” because it provides an effective way to translate a personal source of edification into a corporate form of blessing and building up of Christ’s body.
So, why does Paul seem to steer the Corinthians away from tongues then?
It’s a very good question. Paul definitely pushes his readers in the direction of prophecy, rather than tongues in this passage. But, his reasons are understandable when we keep the broader context in view. Needless to say, it’s not because he cares little about tongues; nor is it because he is preparing for the “ceasing” of this “sign gift” in the church due to the conclusion of the New Testament canon. Tune in next time to better understand Paul’s motives for preferring prophecy over tongues ‘in church’!
Posted in Tongues