What does the Bible say about speaking in tongues?
Speaking in tongues is a gift of the Spirit: in Acts 2 they were real languages, and in 1 Corinthians 14 Paul calls for interpretation and order. Paul values the gift and says he spoke in tongues more than all of them, but in church he would rather be understood. Whether the gift continues today, and whether it is the sign of baptism in the Spirit, are points on which churches differ.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
At Pentecost the disciples “began to speak with other tongues”, and people from many nations heard them “in our own tongue, wherein we were born”: they were real languages, understood by those who heard.
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
At Cornelius’s house, the Jewish believers with Peter knew the Gentiles had received the Spirit because they heard them speak with tongues. Pentecostals see here, and in Acts 19:6, the pattern of tongues as the sign of baptism in the Spirit.
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
Paul lists “diversities of tongues” among the gifts God has set in the church and asks: “do all speak with tongues?” — the expected answer is no. Pentecostals understand him to mean the gift used in public worship, not the sign of baptism in the Spirit.
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
Whoever speaks in a tongue speaks “unto God” and “edifieth himself”; whoever prophesies speaks to people and builds up the church. Paul does not despise the first, but prefers what everyone can understand.
I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
Paul thanks God that he speaks in tongues more than all of them, and then says that in church he would rather speak “five words with my understanding” than ten thousand in a tongue no one understands.
But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
The rule for worship: in the verse before, Paul limits it to two or at most three, one at a time, with someone to interpret. Without an interpreter, the speaker is to keep silent in church and speak “to himself, and to God”.
Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.
The conclusion balances both sides: “forbid not to speak with tongues”, and “Let all things be done decently and in order”. Neither forbid it, nor turn worship into confusion.
Pentecostals — such as the Assemblies of God, Brazil’s largest evangelical church — and many charismatics teach that baptism in the Holy Spirit is an experience beyond conversion and that speaking in tongues is its initial sign, as in Acts 2, 10 and 19. Moderate continuationists, found in many denominations, believe the gift continues today but do not make it a required sign: it is one gift among others, which the Spirit gives “as he will” (1 Corinthians 12:11); the gift is also practiced in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Cessationists — common among Reformed, Presbyterian and traditional Baptist churches — hold that tongues were a sign tied to the apostles and the founding of the church (Ephesians 2:20; Hebrews 2:3-4) and have ceased, as Paul foresaw: “tongues, they shall cease” (1 Corinthians 13:8); continuationists answer that this happens only when what is perfect comes, at Christ’s return. All agree on what Paul asks for: love above gifts, building up the church, and order.
Frequently asked questions
What is the unknown tongue in 1 Corinthians 14?
It is the KJV’s wording in 1 Corinthians 14. In Greek, Paul writes simply tongue (glossa); the translators added the word unknown, printed in italics in the KJV, to show that the hearers do not understand it. In Acts 2 they were known languages; in 1 Corinthians 14, speech that needs interpretation — and Paul mentions “the tongues of men and of angels” (1 Corinthians 13:1), which some read as speech beyond human languages and others as a figure of speech.
Should every Christian speak in tongues?
It depends on whom you ask. Pentecostals teach that tongues accompany baptism in the Holy Spirit and can be sought by every believer; other Christians read Paul’s question, “do all speak with tongues?” (1 Corinthians 12:30), as a sign that the gift is not for everyone. In every position, love is worth more than any gift (1 Corinthians 13:1-2).
Can someone speak in tongues in church without an interpreter?
Paul says no: without an interpreter, the speaker is to keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God (1 Corinthians 14:28). Many Pentecostal churches distinguish a message in tongues addressed to the church, which needs interpretation, from praying in tongues to God, which they understand does not.
