The Issue of "Tongues"— Part 6

WHAT ABOUT VERSE FIFTEEN?

“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. (I Corinthian 14:15)”

When many people who hold the position that tongues are not a gift in operation today reach this verse they are intimidated and pass over it. This verse seems to contradict what we have previously been trying to establish. Some charismatics say that this verse suggests that when Paul spoke, prayed, or sang in tongues (or “in the spirit”) he did not understand what he was saying.

Once again, we must remember the context. Paul is still stressing intelligibility for the purpose of edifying the church. He is stating the conclusion or main point of the passage- “I will minister in such a way that will be for the best for the body. I will show love by ministering in a way that builds up the church.” This is immediately obvious from the context both before and after verse fifteen.

It is important to note that Paul does not use the adjective “my” when referring to understanding. Paul is obviously not referring to his unfruitful understanding or really his understanding in any primary way at all. The understanding in view is the understanding of the body.

“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? (I Corinthians 14:16)”

Verse sixteen proves the point just made with respect to “the understanding” in verse fifteen. Who will not understand if ministry is done in an unintelligible way? The unlearned. This speaks of the uninformed believer.[1] He will not understand, and therefore will not be edified (verse 17).

Verses sixteen and seventeen taken together also bear evidence that the tongues speaker understood what he said.

“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? For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified (I Corinthians 14:16-17).”

The Apostle mentions the importance of ministering in an intelligible way, using the examples of praying and singing. The point that he makes is that if these things are done in tongues it will be impossible for the unlearned to say Amen!” In fact, it would be an idle word. If the unlearned said “Amen” or “so be it” when he had no idea what was prayed or sung, it would be a useless expression. Even though you may give thanks very well, the individual hearing you is not edified.

How does this bear evidence that the tongues speaker understood what he said? He understood that he was giving thanks! If he had no knowledge of the message of the words that he said, how could he know that he was giving thanks? He would have to know what he said! How could he even have the more fundamental understanding of what type of action he was performing (i.e. praying, preaching, reciting the alphabet, etc.)?

[1] Some suggest that the uninformed are unbelievers, particularly Jews. It hardly seems likely that Paul would criticize the Corinthians for not building up an unbeliever. Furthermore, verses 23 and 24 seem to list unbelievers and uninformed ones as separate groups of people. The similar response in verse 25 does not conclusively prove that both groups are unsaved. Both groups could conceivably respond in such a fashion as described in this verse even if understood as uninformed believers and unbelievers. Both groups could be convicted by the message of prophecy and moved to worship God, understanding that God’s power is upon the ministry of the local church. Having said this, many scholars whom I greatly admire hold this position. These objections are in no way meant to belittle them or their ministries.