Speaking in Tongues: A Biblical Study

First, let me say I have had no formal training on this topic. I have never read a book on it. I started listening to a sermon but immediately felt the Holy Spirit say it was wrong. I researched the pastor and found he denied the power of God. I have studied the Bible for about 40 years. All important things I feel God has taught me. I believe in 1 John 2:26–27 where God tells me not to worry about anyone who tries to deceive me — He has given me His Holy Spirit, and He will teach me everything I need to know. I emphasize: NEED TO KNOW. I don't know everything, not even close, but I believe I know all I need to know about Him. He is true to His Word. Since I have spoken in tongues, I feel He has taught me everything I need to know about it. If you are interested in getting the gift of tongues, I recommend you read this document. I challenge anyone to point out any information on tongues I have missed. I would listen to Paul when he said, "I wish ye all spoke with tongues." I have been in churches where they were babbling. I understand why Paul had to correct the church in 1 Corinthians 14; this problem always happens. Just like all the false prophets you hear, satan has his way of ruining God's precious gifts. (Note: I don't capitalize satan because he doesn't deserve it.) In the name of Jesus, I rebuke him.

Accounts in Acts (all verses in KJV)

Read Acts 2, stopping at verse 21. Can we agree what is going on here is prophecy being fulfilled?

Acts 8:14–18. The Samaritans receive the Holy Spirit, and Simon sees something happen, but Luke does not say they spoke in tongues. It is useful to include this in the study because it keeps the account distinct from Acts 2, 10, and 19.

Read Acts chapter 10. Can we agree there was Peter and some friends of his, as well as Cornelius (a Gentile) and his family and friends, meeting at Cornelius's house? It doesn't say anything about anyone interpreting or prophecy being given. It says they were speaking in tongues praising God. There are multiple ways they knew they were praising God. Perhaps they could have prayed for interpretation (1 Corinthians 14:13).

15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. 17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
Acts 11:15–17 (KJV)

It fell on them as in the beginning when they spoke in tongues.
Study Note

Read Acts chapter 19:1–7. When Paul laid hands on some disciples at Ephesus, they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

Personal Experiences

So what is it like to speak in tongues? Personally, when I didn't know what to say, I felt filled with the Spirit — this incredible peace — and words that could not be understood came out. I wasn't taught how to speak in tongues; it just happened. I cannot say how many times I have done it, but I do it whenever I feel a heavy burden from the Holy Spirit. When I spoke in tongues the first time, I was in church and we were praising God, and this other language started coming out of me. A lady interpreted it. I was just praising God.

Another time I remember, I was deciding whether to leave my fiancée. I knew she had cancer and there was no one else to take care of her. I was in great turmoil about what to do. I began to pray and I felt the Holy Spirit come upon me, and a different language came out of me. It wasn't babbling — I was saying different words in a different language. It felt like I was crying to the Lord. I didn't understand what I was saying, but it went on for about 10 minutes. When I was done, I felt this incredible peace like I only felt the first time I did it. I took care of her until she died two years later.

Another time I remember, I was with some Hebrew friends and we all began to praise God. They were speaking in a different language. I felt the Holy Spirit come on me, and I kept praising Jesus with all my heart, loving on Him. When we got done praying, my wife said I was speaking in a different language. I didn't know it. No one unlearned was there — it was beautiful.

A story I heard at a study: My friend had a friend who was an unbeliever that he brought to some type of revival, and the man up front started speaking in tongues. My friend felt bad at first because this happened when he brought his unbelieving friend. Afterward, his friend said it was a rare language and that the message was for him.

What is Prophecy?

First, let's define prophecy. Is prophecy something you speak to yourself or to others? Would you prophesy to God and tell Him something He didn't know? So, can we agree that prophecy is God speaking to someone for them to say what God has said to someone else?

1 Corinthians Chapter 14 (KJV): Text and Study Notes

The following is the complete text of 1 Corinthians 14 (KJV) with study notes on each verse.

v.1Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

Study Note: It says we are all to desire spiritual gifts.

v.2For 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.

Study Note: Notice, there is a type of tongues where you are not speaking unto men but unto God.

v.3But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

Study Note: Prophecy is speaking unto others. Verse 6 says there is a type of prophecy that is done through tongues.

v.4He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

Study Note: There are at least two types of tongues: one that edifies himself and one that edifies the church.

v.5I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

Study Note: He wants us all to speak with tongues, but He wants us especially to speak the type of tongues that is used in church for everyone. Also, you need to consider 1 Corinthians 12:7–11, 28–31 along with this verse.

v.6Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

Study Note: First of all, he is saying he is coming unto others — not talking between himself and God. There is a speaking in tongues that can be giving knowledge, prophecy, or doctrine.

v.7And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

Study Note: We only care about this if we are speaking in the church, not when we are in private.

v.8For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

Study Note: Again, in the church.

v.9So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? For ye shall speak into the air.

Study Note: In the church.

v.10There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

Study Note: Only matters if you are in the church.

v.11Therefore 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.

Study Note: In the church.

v.12Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

Study Note: Verse 2 talks about self-edification but we should seek to edify the church.

v.13Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

Study Note: Could be speaking at church or in private. We should pray to interpret.

v.14For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

Study Note:

v.15What 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.

Study Note: We should seek to understand what we are saying in tongues.

v.16Else 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?

Study Note: In church.

v.17For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

Study Note: In church.

v.18I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

Study Note: Do you think he is talking about speaking in church or privately or both? Maybe the next verse tells us. Sounds like he is talking about in private because he says "Yet" in the next verse.

v.19Yet 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.

Study Note: Two types: one in the church, one when you are in private. I personally believe you can speak in tongues with other learned people like I did with my Hebrew friends — this is just my theory and experience, I insinuate it from the verses. Paul is addressing disorder. It is common sense really.

v.20Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

Study Note:

v.21In 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.

Study Note: Isaiah 28:11–12. This is the passage Paul quotes in 1 Corinthians 14:21. Reading it gives important context for his difficult statement about tongues as a sign in verse 22. This is prophecy to someone else.

v.22Wherefore 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.

Study Note: This is a confusing verse but the next verse starts with "therefore" so it explains this verse better.

v.23If 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?

Study Note: Like we say about "therefore" — what is it therefore? It describes what he is trying to communicate in the previous verse.

v.24But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

Study Note: Remember verse 6 — tongues can be prophecy.

v.25And 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.

Study Note:

v.26How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

Study Note:

v.27If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

Study Note: Now he gives order for speaking in tongues in church. He has to do this because as verse 32 says, "the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets."

v.28But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

Study Note:

v.29Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

Study Note:

v.30If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

Study Note:

v.31For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

Study Note:

v.32And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

Study Note: So, they that speak in tongues to prophesy can control what they say and when they say it.

v.33For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Study Note: This is why they can control it. This is why there must be interpretation if you are with unbelievers.

v.34Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

Study Note: God hasn't given me any knowledge about this, but research says women and men sat on different sides of the church back then and they were yelling out to their husbands. We know women can talk in church because they could prophesy. — 1 Corinthians 11:5: Paul refers to "every woman that prayeth or prophesieth." He gives instructions about how a woman should do so, which shows that he recognized women prophesying. Acts 21:9: Philip "had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy." Acts 2:17–18: Peter quotes God's promise: "your sons and your daughters shall prophesy," and "on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy."

v.35And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

Study Note:

v.36What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

Study Note:

v.37If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

Study Note:

v.38But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

Study Note:

v.39Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

Study Note: Any church that forbids speaking in tongues violates the commandments of the Lord (verse 37). Aligns with 1 Thessalonians 5:19–21 — Paul says not to quench the Spirit, not to despise prophesying, and to "prove all things." Acts chapter 2, baptism of the Holy Spirit, happened about 17–21 years before Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians; therefore, the gifts didn't end at Pentecost.

v.40Let all things be done decently and in order.

Study Note:

1 Corinthians 13:1–3 (KJV) — What is Most Important to Have

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

1 Corinthians 13:8–12 (KJV) — When Will These Gifts Cease?

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Study Notes: Gifts of tongues, prophecies, knowledge will all vanish away when we get to heaven. We won't need them; gifts of knowledge won't be needed if we will know all things. Now, the Holy Spirit gives us the gift of knowledge. If Paul tells you they don't go away until you get to heaven, don't let anyone tell you they don't exist today. Believe the Scriptures, not the word of man.

← Back to All Teachings