What is this Unknown Tongue?

Posted by graceisfree at 2:02 AM

There have been a great many wonderful believers that hold to the practice of "speaking in tongues", "speaking an unknown tongue", or "private prayer language" but what does the Bible really say about this practice.

Let's examine some of the tongue verses. I have bolded and underlined some of the tongue references.

And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
(Mark 16:17 ESV)

Signs to unbelievers given by the early disciples.

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord* in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs--we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."
(Acts 2:1-11 nkj)


Notice that these devout men from many nationalities heard the gospel in their own language. The word for tongue as in Acts 2:4 is glossa - Strongs:

γλῶσσα
glōssa gloce'-sah
Of uncertain affinity; the tongue; by implication a language (specifically one naturally unacquired): - tongue.
In Acts 2:6 the men are amazed because they heard them in their own language, the word for language here is:

G1258
διάλεκτος
dialektos
dee-al'-ek-tos
From G1256; a (mode of) discourse, that is, “dialect”: - language, tongue.

Later from these audible signs, spoken from these men who had not learned the language of these lost foreigners, over 3000 men were saved.

Other scriptures from Acts that also use the greek word glossa for tongues: Acts 10

And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, "Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"
(Acts 10:45-47 ESV)

Another example of the gospel being portrayed to foreigners through the power of God by pouring out a new tongue one that was previously unknown to those sharing the good news.

And Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. There were about twelve men in all. And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus.
(Acts 19:4-9 ESV)



These new believers were ordained by the laying on of hands and given the gift to share the gospel in other languages. Many still did not believe in that area.


Examples from 1 Corinthians, also the Greek word glossa is used for tongues:

to another performance of miracles, to another prophecy, and to another discernment of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. It is one and the same Spirit, distributing to each person as he decides, who produces all these things.
(1 Corinthians 12:10-11 NET)

It is interesting to note that in each example there is the speaker of the language and the hearer who understands it - not everyone at Pentecost understood the tongue. Some just thought the men were drunk. Those that God was touching understood the good news in their own language and believed.

And God has placed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, gifts of healing, helps, gifts of leadership, different kinds of tongues. Not all are apostles, are they? Not all are prophets, are they? Not all are teachers, are they? Not all perform miracles, do they? Not all have gifts of healing, do they? Not all speak in tongues, do they? Not all interpret, do they? But you should be eager for the greater gifts. And now I will show you a way beyond comparison.
(1 Corinthians 12:28-31 NET)

Different kind of languages, the speaker of the language may not understand it, but there is also a interpretor or rather a translator. The word used for interpret is:

διερμηνεύω
diermēneuō
dee-er-main-yoo'-o
From G1223 and G2059; to explain thoroughly; by implication to translate: - expound, interpret (-ation).


1 Cor 13 speaks on the insignificance of being able to share in other languages (glossa) without love:

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
(1 Corinthians 13:1-2 ESV)

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.
(1 Corinthians 13:8-11 ESV)

The gifts of prophecies and languages have apparently ceased, why? That which was in part (the canon of scripture) is now complete, those things needed for signs to unbelievers are no longer used. (that does not mean that God does perform miracles and giftings just they are not for signs)


Perhaps the hardest of understanding of tongues comes form 1 Corinthians 14. I am copying the whole thing because it is so important not to pull out one thing or another ( I will bold the word tongue and interprets):

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say "Amen" to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up. I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue. Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. In the Law it is written, "By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord." Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers. If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you. What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But all things should be done decently and in order.
(1 Corinthians 14:1-40 ESV)


Some of the points that can be seen from the above chapter:

1. Tongues are a language (glossa) and should not just be noise (If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? verse 7.)

2. Tongues must contain teaching, knowledge, doctrine or revelation. verse 6.


3. There is a difference between the gift of tongues and the gifts of understanding tongues, sometimes you could have both. Paul states that it is not good to just pray in an some languages because the mind does not understand it, you should be able to understand it to pray in it. verse 2.

"Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also;"

4. These languages (tongues) were not meant for for the believers but were signs to the lost. verse 22.

5. If there is no one present to interpret the language (tongue) then it should not be spoken. verse 28.

6. God is not a God of confusion but peace and these gifts must be done in the prescribed fashion. verses 33 and 40.

The list above is almost all of the references to the gift of tongues in the New Testament.
If you have a question about these things or disagreement please leave me a comment.

Blessings,

SF
















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