Talk In A Way That Everyone Can Understand

1 Corinthians 14 is a chapter that deals exclusively with the subject of speaking in tongues. It is important to understand that when we speak of tongues we are speaking of that which a was a language, although not understood by the one speaking, it was always understood by someone hearing. The gift of tongues is never something that cannot be understood.

The subject of modern tongues has been studied by linguist and others and their finding is interesting. William Samarin wrote: "When the full apparatus of linguistic science comes to bear on glossolalia (a term often used for speaking in tongues) this turns out to be only a facade of language, although at times a very good one indeed. For when we comprehend what language is, we must conclude that glossa, no matter how well constructed, is a specimen of human language, because it is neither internally organized nor systemically related to the world man perceives." In short, tongues can not be understood by those who speak or by those who hear.

He further says, "Over a period of five years I have taken part in meetings in Italy, Holland, Jamaica, Canada, and the United States. I have observed old-fashioned Pentecostals and neo-Pentecostals. I have been in small meeting in private homes as well as in mammoth public meetings. I have seen such different cultural settings as are found among Puerto Ricans of the Bronx, the snake-handlers of the Appalachians, and the Russian Molakins of Los Angeles. I have interviewed tongue speakers, and tape recorded and analyzed countless samples of Tongues. In every case, glossolalia turns out to be linguistic nonsense. In spite of superficial similarities, glossolalia is fundamentally not language."

Samarin found in his studies that what is often called the gift of tongues in our day and time is nothing more than a repeating of sounds, etc, and not a language. Yet, in every Bible case of where someone spoke in tongues it was always in the language know by someone who was hearing. The speaker may have not known the language, but there was someone present who did. The fact that what is often called tongues today is anything but a language is to me very enlightening.

It is very obvious that there is much confusion in our day and time about the subject of speaking in tongues. However, as we read verses 13-25, Paul's stresses the matter of understanding (Cp. Vs. 14,15,16,19,20). The real gift of tongues, as described by Paul, is to be understood. This understanding is two-fold. There is something understood by the one speaking and something understood by the one hearing. In the case of the Corinthians there lacked this understanding. First, there was:

1. A PERSONAL LACK OF UNDERSTANDING

We read in verses 13-14, "Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful." Paul is speaking to those who are speaking in tongues. There were certain things that were desired when it came to speaking in tongues.

A) The Interpretation That Was Desired

I point out that in verse 13 Paul refers to "an unknown tongue." In our last study I pointed out that the word "unknown" is in italics which sets apart the real from the false. In the case of verse 13 Paul is describing the false gift of speaking in tongues. This is very important in understanding what Paul is saying.

In verse 11 Paul had stated, "Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me." Therefore, Paul says in verse 13 that if one speaks in tongues, there is to be an interpretation of what has been said. Speaking in tongues is very common in our day and time, but the interpretation rarely or ever follows. Yet, the interpretation of tongues is to always follow speaking in tongues.

The point that Paul is making in verse 13 is that what they were doing could not be interpreted. There was no language in what they were doing, only a sort of gibberish. There was nothing that was being said, therefore there was nothing to be interpreted. Paul's challenge was, "Now try and interpret what you just said." In 12:10 we saw that one of the gifts was the interpretation of tongues. If it was the true gift, it could and would have been interpreted. In the Corinthian case, what they were doing could not be interpreted.

There are those who interpret the "unknown tongue" as an angelic or heavenly language, a language not known to man. Yet, in every Bible example of someone speaking in tongues there was a language being spoken. Nowhere do you find an example of someone speaking in a form that was not understandable by someone. Bible tongues are always, and I repeat, always a language known to man. As well, there is always the interpretation of that language.

B) The Illumination That Was Desired

We read in verse 14, "For I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful." As today, the Corinthians viewed speaking in tongues as a prayer language. The argument is that man may not be able to understand, but God does. To them, speaking in tongues is a special way to communicate with God.

The United Pentecostal Church believes there are two distinct types of the gifts of tongues. Everyone that has truly been saved experiences the first type. They will speak in a language that no man understands or interprets. This is normally spoken in private and not in public. The second type of the kind that is public. They believe that not everyone receives this second type. It is an additional gift that is given to some Christians.

On particular person I read after spoke of three different manifestations of speaking in tongues. There is evidential tongues that is the evidence when someone is baptized in the Spirit. The ministry gift of tongues that is described in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 involves a message in tongues in a public service. The third type is intercessory tongues which is the ability to pray in other tongues.

I must point out that Paul is not talking about the real gift of tongues. If you will notice, the word "unknown" is used indicating this was the false gift. What does Paul say in regard to such a practice? He calls it "unfruitful." It doesn't bear fruit in either the speaker or listener's heart and life. It has no benefit for anyone involved and that misses the whole purpose of spiritual gifts. The spiritual gifts are for the purpose of edification. If that goal is not reached, the whole purpose of the gifts are undermined. The point is that real spiritual gifts will edify, but the false will be unfruitful.

For those who teach that this is a prayer language, they say it is the Spirit that is praying in and through them. Yet, Paul does claim that the Holy Spirit is involved in this practice. The word "spirit" that is used speaks of the spirit of man. He is describing the emotional part of man. Paul is not denying that such an experience is not an emotional experience. There is much emotion involved. You could say there is much feelings involved.

But that is the point that Paul is making. The emotions of man were engaged but the mind was not. There was no "understanding." They felt good, but feelings is all they were getting out it. There was nothing in their experience that brought them to an understanding of divine truth. Let me be the first to say that there is nothing wrong with emotions. I enjoy being saved and I enjoy myself when I go to church. Yet, the mind cannot be divorced from our emotions (Cp. 12:1). If all we have is an emotional experience, but no benefit to our mind (understanding), then the whole purpose of spiritual gifts has been missed.

We read in verse 15, "What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also." When we pray there is to be understanding. When we sing we are to sing with understanding. Therefore Paul say's "What is it then?" Or to put it another way, "In light of what I just said, what will ye do?"

A second area in which there lacked understanding was:

2. A PUBLIC LACK OF UNDERSTANDING!

The practice of tongues in the Church of Corinth had neither benefit for saint or sinner. First, we see:

A. The Saints Lack of Understanding

In verses 16-19 Paul makes it very clear that the Corinthians practice of speaking in tongues left the believers without understanding. We read in verse 16, "Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?" The word "unlearned" speaks of the unskilled and no doubt spoke of those who did not have the gift of speaking in tongues. If they could not understand they could not say "amen" or "give thanks."

We read in verse 17, "For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified." If one can not understand what is being said, obviously they could not be edified. If they were not being edified the whole purpose of spiritual gifts was being missed. That is why Paul said in verses 18-19, "I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: [19] 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 states that he would rather speak five words that he understood and others could understand which would result in spiritual edification for all than speak in tongues and nobody understand.

We read in verse 20, "Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men." When it came to understanding, they were not be children (lacking understanding) but men (mature and understanding). In other words, the lack of understanding was rebuked by Paul, thus the Corinthian practice of speaking in tongues was rebuked. Furthermore, we see:

B. The Sinners Lack of Understanding

Beginning in verse 21, Paul emphasizes the purpose of spiritual gifts. We read, "In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord." This was a prophesy from Isaiah 28:11-12. About 15 years before Isaiah gave this prophesy, the northern kingdom (Israel) had been conquered and taken captive by the Assyrians. The word of the Lord was sent to the southern kingdom that the same thing would happen to them. The tongues and other lips would be a sign to them of this coming judgment.

Paul said, "Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe" (Vs.22). I am convinced that the misunderstanding surrounding the gift of tongues is that a lack of understanding that tongues were primarily a sign for unbelievers. Paul makes is clear that tongues were a sign, but a sign not for those who believe, but for those who did not believe. In our day and time, the practice of tongues is entirely focused around believers. Yet, in Bible examples and in Paul's teaching, tongues were a sign for unbelievers.

First, tongues were a sign of affirmation. They proved that the men and message were real and from God. To whom was this proof required? Those who did not believe. Secondly, tongues served as a sign that God's judgment would come on those who did not believer, particularly the Jewish people. The tongues on the Day of Pentecost would have been understood by the Jewish people who understood Isaiah's prophecy that God's judgment was coming. God's judgment did come in A.D. 70 when the city of Jerusalem was captured and the Jews forced to flee their country.

The point is this. If the what was being said could not be understood, how could the unbeliever be warned of this judgment? We read in verse 23, "If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?" Instead of informing them, it would make them think those speaking were crazy. If it could not be understood, it was nothing but a bunch of sounds.

On the other hand, if there is understanding there will be a convincing of the truth and conviction by the truth. We read in verses 24-25, "But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: [25] And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth." Understanding leads to the sinner seeing his need of God.

Understanding all Paul has said about understanding, he seems to say, "Talk in a way that everyone can understand what you are saying."