The Issue of "Tongues"— Part 4

PROPHECY, TONGUES, AND EDIFICATION

“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 (I Corinthians 14:3-4).”

Interestingly enough, Paul claims that tongues have the same effect upon the speaker as prophecy has upon the public gathering of believers. Prophecy, infallible revelation (in this case, the gift of speaking the infallible truths of God directly from God) is said to, among other things, edify men (plural). What is in view here is the congregation of believers. The word “edify” means “to build up”. Tongues are said to do the same thing to the tongues speaker.

When I have pointed this out to many charismatic Christians, the response has often been, “So what?” The point is- what is unintelligible cannot build up! I can never be built up in any true sense by that which I have no clue about. This weighs very heavy upon me as I prepare messages to preach every week. If I speak the message in such a way that no one can understand what is being said, the congregation will not be edified. However, if I preach in language that people can understand and they apply their hearts to know the Word, with the Holy Spirit’s illuminating work, they will be built up. Indeed, the Bible is the Word of God, and particularly the Word of God the Holy Spirit.[1]

The gift of tongues was not just gibberish unintelligible to the speaker. He understood what he was saying. Though the Spirit was producing the truths in his mouth, he understood what he was saying. He was edified!

This also reinforces our understanding of the gift of tongues as speaking the definite truth of the mysteries of God. The tongues speaker would certainly be built up in speaking and understanding the great truths of the New Covenant!

“I 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 (I Corinthians 14:5).”

In light of the fact that the carnal Corinthian believers desired the most “flashy” gifts for personal prominence, Paul points out again what he has previously[2] said- spiritual gifts are for the good of the whole, not simply the individual. Prophecy builds up the congregation; they hear and understand the infallible revelation of God. Tongues only build up the speaker (he speaks and understands the infallible revelation of God), but what happens when he (in context, the tongues speaker) interprets? The church is edified!

The point that tongues had definite content of revelation from God is thus emphasized. Both prophecy and tongues can edify the congregation, but tongues cannot do it alone. Interpretation is essential. When interpretation takes place, the congregation is edified.

We must also examine the word interpret (diermeneue) in this verse. This same word or a form of this word occurs three times in this chapter (v5, 13, 27). Each time it is translated “interpret”. There is good evidence to suggest that an even more exact translation would be “translate”. However, with either word a clear and valid point arises.

In order for me to either interpret or translate something, I must have knowledge of the original matter which needs that interpretation or translation. The tongues speaker in this passage was no different in this respect. He would have to have or receive knowledge of the original in order to interpret it. In light of the fact that he was edified by the message that he spoke, it is apparent that he had knowledge of the “original” when he spoke it. Once again the text teaches that the tongues speaker understood what he was saying.

“Now, 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? And 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? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? So 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. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. 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. Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. (I Corinthians 14:6-12)”

These seven verses emphasize the importance of intelligibility for the edification of the church. Only that which is intelligible edifies.

Paul gives the example of a trumpeter in war. If the trumpeter does not clearly play the notes that would indicate “Charge!”, the troops are confused. They do not know whether to go forward or back. So it is with something that is unintelligible- it does not point people in the right direction. It does not build up.

We have already mentioned that Paul’s illustration of communicating with a barbarian points to the fact that real languages are in view, but the point bears repeating. Both people trying to communicate in such a situation are speaking a real language; it only sounds like gibberish.

Verse twelve records Paul’s emphasis on building up the church. He indicates that the carnal Corinthian believers are zealous for the spiritual (likely that which would bring them prominence) and says that their goal should be the building up of the church as a whole.


[1] I Peter 1:19-21- “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”; and John 16:13 (Christ’s words to His disciples, including later authors of Scripture)- “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.”, underscore this point.
[2] I Corinthians 12:7-“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man (individual) to profit withal (the whole).”