Tongue Speaking

1 Corinthians 14:2

For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. (Tongue here is not a language!)

1 Corinthians 14:4-5

Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues.

1 Corinthians 14:13-14

For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 

1 Corinthians 14:18

I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

1 Corinthians 14:22

Tongues, then, are a sign...

1 Corinthians 14:39-40

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

Let's explore the words "tongue" and "tongues" in 1 Corinthians 14 in terms of:

• Their Greek terms

• Contextual usage

• Theological implications

• Whether they refer to ecstatic, gibberish-like prayer languages or intelligible languages

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🔍 Greek Word Study

Word: “Tongue” / “Tongues”

Greek: γλῶσσα (glōssa) — Strong’s G1100

• Occurs in singular: γλῶσσα = tongue

• Occurs in plural: γλῶσσαι = tongues

Semantic Range:

1. The physical tongue (organ)

2. Language or dialect (e.g., "foreign language")

3. Spiritual speech — often debated whether it refers to:

   • Known human languages (Acts 2 usage)

   • Ecstatic speech (incomprehensible to humans without interpretation)

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📖 Usage in 1 Corinthians 14

Let’s trace the use of "tongue(s)" in this chapter:

1. Verse 2:

"For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God."

• γλώσσῃ (glōssēi) — singular, dative

• Describes a private or public utterance not understood by others.

• Speaker is not understood — implies unintelligible unless interpreted.

• Suggests a personal prayer or praise directed toward God.

2. Verse 4:

"He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself."

• Again, singular

• Focuses on personal edification

• No clear communication to others unless interpretation is given

• Implies a private, possibly ecstatic or mystical experience

3. Verse 5:

"I would like every one of you to speak in tongues..."

• γλώσσαις — plural

• Paul values the gift, but emphasizes prophecy as superior for corporate edification

• Plural suggests varieties of languages or multiple utterances

4. Verses 6–19:

• Repeated contrast: Tongue(s) vs. Prophecy

• Paul's concern: If there is no interpretation, the speech is unfruitful

• Emphasis on understanding for the sake of the church

“I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church... I would rather speak five intelligible words…”

• Paul values the experience personally, but sees limited corporate value without interpretation

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• No major theological distinction is made between the singular and plural forms in Greek beyond number.

• The plural often emphasizes diversity of expression.

• The singular often emphasizes the personal, individual experience.

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🗣️ Are They “Ecstatic” or Real Languages?

1. Acts 2 vs. 1 Corinthians 14

• Acts 2 — "tongues" are clearly known languages understood by others (e.g., Parthians, Medes, etc.)

• 1 Corinthians 14 — context suggests unknown to the speaker and others unless interpreted

2. Nature of the “Tongues” in 1 Cor 14

• Incomprehensible to hearers without interpretation

• Paul never calls them nonsense, but insists they must be interpreted

• Likely refers to spiritual utterances, not learned languages

• Some scholars see parallels with Jewish apocalyptic or mystical prayer (e.g., 1 Enoch, Dead Sea Scrolls)

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🙏 Conclusion: Are They Private Prayer Languages?

Yes — with qualification:

• In 1 Corinthians 14, "tongue(s)" often refers to a spiritual language, possibly unintelligible to both speaker and hearer.

• Paul acknowledges personal spiritual benefit (“edifies himself” – v4), especially in private prayer.

• However, corporate use must involve interpretation, otherwise it creates confusion, not edification (v9, v23).

So, the “tongue” here is a Spirit-enabled language meant for prayer or praise, not understood without divine interpretation.