I’m preaching on this passage at Grace on August 15 so I’ve been reading and re-reading and studying a lot. I’m realizing that the view of tongues I’ve held for a long time isn’t the most likely one. So with any change like this, I’m running it be lots of people. Reading the Bible in the community of faith is so important. The more diverse the community, the more likely getting past the mistakes of one.
So I start with the purpose of tongues. Acts 2:11 says they were declaring the wonders of God. I’d taken that as evangelistic, but on reflection and comparison with 1 Cor. I’m thinking it is praise. Greg Haslam, Pastor of Westminster Chapel in London and one of the men on the Grand Canyon trip, was the one who raised this possibility in our intense discussions.
1 Cor. 14 adds these points:
Tongues are to God by the Spirit (2, 28) where prophecy is to other people. That direction is so obvious. I don’t know how I missed it up to now.
Tongues are a language with informational content, not ecstatic babbling as with pagans. This is very clear in Acts 2 but also in his reference in verse 10-11. There is much debate about whether it is human languages or if it can include language of angels. That seems an open handed issue right now.
Tongues edify the speaker (4, 28) where prophecy edify the congregation. I’d always taken that as dismissive of tongues, but I think I was wrong on that. Lots of things build me and it’s good. Col. 2:5, 8 say put off sin and 3:12 says put on fruit of the Spirit. That edifies me so I can be more Christlike and a better member of the community. The error would be self-indulgence, something the Corinthians and not a few Americans are into (!!). Building myself is very good if it helps me be a better Jesus follower.
Paul is quite positive about tongues, just not in the public gathering of the church. I’m not sure how I missed his statement that he would like everyone to speak in tongues (14:5). Yes, prophecy is much preferred in the gathering but that does not mean tongues have no place. He is quite clear that he speaks in tongues a lot (14:18), but not on the gathering. That’s the place for prophecy to strengthen, encourage, comfort, edify, instruct (3,4, 26, 31).
Tongues are for prayer (14:14) from the heart. Of course there is also prayer with the mind, i.e., in a known language. Both are good in their proper place, it seems. Some prefer spirit prayer while others prefer mind prayer. Neither is a higher spirituality, it seems. I think Romans 8:26 speaks to this when it says “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” So the graonings there are the Spirit at work helping us when our mind and understanding fail us and we don’t know how to pray. That groaning certainly could come out of my mouth, I think.
Tongues are for praise (14:16) just as they are in Acts 2:11 and 10:46. That isn’t helpful for the congregation unless it is interpreted or explained as Peter did in Acts 2.
In the gathering Paul does not speak in tongues though he does speak a lot, evidently in his private devotions. Where the Corinthians were seeing their public use of tongues as a mark of their high spirituality. Paul shows them that it is a sign, but a sign of God’s judgment on their prideful self-indulgence! Hearing Babylonian in the streets of Jerusalem in 586 BC was a sign that God’s judgment had come to sinful Judah (he quotes Isaiah 28:11 a statement of His judgment in 14:21). Similarly, it is not a blessable thing if unbelievers hear all the confusion of public tongues and walk away thinking the people and their God is crazy.
So I’m thinking tongues is private prayer and praise to God in an unknown language.
That’s what I’m thinking in outline. I’d love to get input!
You write, “So I’m thinking tongues is private prayer and praise to God in an unknown language.” Over the past several years my thinking has moved in the direction you are going.
The next logical question is: is this private praise and prayer normative for all believers?
It doesn’t seem normative in the sense that all must or should, though Paul does wish all would. the end of 12 is clear that not all will. But it is something that is open to all. In my case, I’ve never done tongues. My “non-linguistic” prayer/praise is in music and images.
[...] I much prefer talking about French kissing but Western Seminary professor, Gerry Brashears has posted some new thoughts about the gifts of speaking in tongues that I found worthwhile for a couple of [...]
Howdy Hey, Gerry…
What you’ve expressed has been my view for sometime: a real, but unlearned language designed for expressing praise to God in some kind of divinely touched, overdrive way.
I miss the classes… I’m kind of “done” for the time being… indefinitely… but life is good otherwise.
God bless,
Terry
Interesting that on my first excursion on your web site I find a blog about “tongues.” Since you possibly won’t be getting too many comments from “tongue talkers,” let me just say that during my years as a Christian, I have found this gift to be of tremendous benefit in two primary ways (both you touched on). First, personal edification. As you well know, life and ministry can be difficult. Having the ability to connect with God in such an intimate manner always helps by affirming my personal relationship with him. I think Jude 1:20 speaks to this. Second, intercession. I appreciate the opportunity of being able to move past the limitations of my own mind when I pray for the needs of others. I do believe that unfortunate stereotyping and poor theology has led some to close the door on a wonderful gift from our Father. When used biblically and wisely, it can have wonderful benefits. After all, the Holy Spirit’s job is to open our minds to the work and presence of Jesus. That can never be wrong.
Thanks for this, Phil. I’d not considered the Jude passage as a part of the bibilical data. Freeing our prayers from the limits of rationality is a great thing.
Hey Gerry,
So I was at the Well this week attending church on Sunday morning. In the middle of communion CJ stopped the communion line and brought someone up to speak in tongues, and have it interpreted. He noted that they had taught the congregation 1 Corinthians for 2 years, and taught extensively on the subject of gifts (including tongues). I was pleasantly surprised since it was the first time I have seen tongues appropriately observed in a worship service according to what Paul commands. The next day I was talking with Jacquie and Luke at PRC and she mentioned you taught on this, so I thought I’d share!
Another important aspect of tongue is that, as you mentioned, they are to God by the Spirit. Inother words, it is the Holy Spirit praying through you as a vessel. Since the Spirit is God, when you pray in tongues over a situation, you are praying the perfect will of God for that situation. You are praying exactly what God wants prayed for the exact outcome He wants. This is a powerful tool that the enemy is happy to degrade and dismiss.