The Interpretation of Tongues

.... When the Holy Spirit grants an utterance in tongues, what sort of a message is being spoken? It would help to know the basic nature of that message because an interpretation must follow, and a true interpretation will present the same type of message and reflect the same basic meaning.

.... In our previous posting we described how an utterance in tongues is primarily address to God Himself, and it is only meant for man in a secondary sense, when it is overheard (1 Corinthians 14:2,21). So let’s work within those parameters to find some additional clues, beginning with the Day of Pentecost itself:

.... ". . . we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."

(Acts 2:11)

.... In this passage, tongues were spoken as a miraculous gift and there was no mention of interpretation of tongues; yet those same tongues were actually translated through the natural ability of certain persons who were present and overheard, and recognized the languages as their own, native tongues -- which for our purposes amounts to the same thing. And when this was done, we found that the wonderful works of God were being proclaimed through each utterance. In other words, in this particular instance, tongues were used for the purpose of praising God, which other men were able to overhear.

.... Later, Paul would give us another clue:

.... "For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful."

(1 Corinthians 14:14)

.... Here we see that tongues may be used to express prayer to God. In a similar way, they may also be used to bless in the spirit, as when Daniel blessed the God of heaven (1 Corinthians 14:16; Daniel 2:19). And in still another passage, we see them used for the giving of thanks:

.... "For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified."

(1 Corinthians 14:17)

.... Furthermore we may sing in tongues, which carries clear connotations of praise and celebration:

.... "What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding."

(1 Corinthians 14:15)

.... In praise, in prayer, in giving of thanks, through blessing or through celebration in spiritual song, the person speaking in tongues is obviously addressing himself to God directly, and not mankind (1 Corinthians 14:2). Our primary focus is clearly sustained. So when these tongues are interpreted, what form will they assume and how will they benefit those who are overhearing them?

.... Taking the evidence collectively, it is most likely that an utterance in tongues would be very closely patterned after a psalm. For the psalms meet all of the criteria mentioned above, they are spoken aloud to God primarily, yet they may also bring edification to the speaker or to anyone else who happens to overhear them. And as such, they would find a very natural place in our time of worship:

.... "How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification."

(1 Corinthians 14:26)

.... Remember that both the tongue and the interpretation came through the agency of the Holy Spirit, whose ministry is to point us to Jesus, promote fellowship with Him, encourage us to rely on Him, and make us more like Him. These themes that are constantly presented in the Psalms as well. With this understanding, the interpretation of a tongue could very naturally cause our hearts to rejoice in the Lord as one:

.... "I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together!"

(Psalm 34:1-3)

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Daily Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 11