There are two views on what speaking of tongues in the Bible actually is. One view is that everywhere ‘tongue’ just means ‘language’. If that view is correct, speaking in tongues (or foreign languages) is a gift of the Holy Spirit to further the spread of the Gospel among new peoples (see e.g. Acts 2). At the same time it is a warning and announcement of judgment to the unbelieving Jews (1 Corinthians 14:21-22). Some theologians even understand all mentions of the gift of tongues or languages in the Bible like this: as references to non-miraculous speaking in languages that the speaker once learnt. Just like ‘helping’ and ‘administrating’ are non-miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:28). These views are defensible. Both imply that almost all ‘speaking in tongues’ that is happening today is nonsense. There are very few reports, and even less credible reports, of people who are speaking in foreign languages while speaking in tongues.
Speaking in tongues is not speaking a heavenly language
The majority of Bible scholars, however, think that when the Bible refers to “tongues,” these are unidentified languages—possibly not even human languages. Because of 1 Corinthians 13:1, which states, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels,” these are frequently referred to as languages of angels. But if you look at this verse in light of the next two, you will find that Paul is not really implying that he can communicate with angels. In the same way that he surrenders his body to be burned (1 Corinthians 13:3) and acknowledges that he does not know all (1 Corinthians 13:2). Therefore, the Bible makes no mention whatsoever of speaking in tongues as speaking a language from heaven.
Purposes of speaking in tongues
However, since the scripture makes this obvious, we may still understand the reason for speaking in tongues. The church is to be taught through it as the primary goal. Only when the tongue is translated is it possible. The tongue speaker should remain silent if there isn’t an interpreter available (1 Corinthians 14:28). Singing or praying with the spirit without the mind’s involvement is the second goal. “I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also” (1 Corinthians 14:15) is an additional method to communicate with God.
This could be the reason why speaking in tongues is still important today, if the second interpretation is accurate. Even yet, you should understand that not all Christians are called to speak in tongues. Paul poses the hypothetical question, “Do all speak in tongues?” in 1 Corinthians 12:30. Clearly, the response is “no.” We are all gifted, and that’s okay because of that. However, we are urged to seek God [for new gifts] (1 Corinthians 12:31).
Importance of speaking in tongues
For the following grounds, nevertheless, I hesitate to affirm the significance of speaking in tongues:
- The Bible makes no mention of the cessation of any spiritual abilities. Still, there’s no guarantee that they will go on. According to 1 Corinthians 12:28, being an apostle is a spiritual gift given to the church, and the apostles’ days are over. Thus, it is uncertain if the gifts of languages continue to function as they did in Paul’s epistolary letters to the Corinthians.
- Speaking in tongues has historically been exceedingly uncommon until the recent resurgence of the practice following the time of the apostles.
- There are numerous other religions where people speak in tongues. Therefore, speaking in tongues cannot be interpreted as evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit’s baptism.
- It is as simple for people to learn as riding a bicycle. It is therefore impossible to determine whether someone speaking in tongues is using a learned method or a gift from the Holy Spirit.
- Speaking in tongues is easy since the structure of the speech is very different from that of normal language. It’s literally just babble. It is difficult for me to accept that God would instruct His church by babble and would motivate us to speak to Him.
- A large number of persons who claim to speak in tongues do not live lives that are [filled with the Holy Spirit].
Leave judgment to God
For all these reasons, I am certain that the great majority of speaking in tongues that occurs in modern times is a learned practice unrelated to the work of the Holy Spirit. However, I cannot conclude from the Bible that authentic speaking in tongues is impossible in the modern era. Thus, in this particular instance, it would be prudent to defer to God’s judgment rather than passing judgment on our brothers and sisters for speaking or not speaking in tongues.
