07/17/2026
TONGUES AS A SIGN IS ONLY ONE OF FOUR. THE CRITICS ARE ARGUING ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE TRUTH….
Yesterday’s post lit a fire. Some insist tongues are ONLY known earthly languages given as a sign to unbelievers. Here is the problem… that argument takes one biblical function of tongues and erases the other three.
Paul lists “DIVERS KINDS of tongues” in 1 Corinthians 12:10 (KJV). The Greek is genos glosson (Strong’s G1085, G1100)… families, varieties, kinds. Plural. Scripture reveals four distinct operations:
1. TONGUES AS A SIGN TO THE UNBELIEVER.
“And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” (Acts 2:8 KJV)
Yes, this is a known earthly language spoken by the power of the Spirit. The critics are right about this one. But this is where they stop reading.
2. TONGUES FOR PERSONAL EDIFICATION… THE PRAYER LANGUAGE.
“For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto GOD: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.” (1 Corinthians 14:2 KJV)
Read it slowly. Not unto men. Unto God. NO MAN understandeth. This cannot be Acts 2. At Pentecost men DID understand. Here no man understands. Two different functions. Both Bible.
“He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself…” (1 Corinthians 14:4 KJV)
3. TONGUES FOR SUPERNATURAL INTERCESSION.
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Romans 8:26 KJV)
4. TONGUES WITH INTERPRETATION.
“…greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.” (1 Corinthians 14:5 KJV)
PAUL SETTLES THE PRIVATE PRAYER LANGUAGE HIMSELF.
“For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth… I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also.” (1 Corinthians 14:14-15 KJV)
“But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and TO GOD.” (1 Corinthians 14:28 KJV)
“I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all.” (1 Corinthians 14:18 KJV)
More than the whole Corinthian church. Where? In his private prayer life. Verse 18 makes no sense otherwise.
And the 1 Corinthians 12:30 objection… “do all speak with tongues?”… read verse 28: “God hath set some in the CHURCH.” Paul is describing public ministry gifts. Two chapters later he says “I would that ye ALL spake with tongues” (1 Corinthians 14:5 KJV). Chapter 12 is the platform. Chapter 14 is the prayer closet. Paul does not contradict himself.
“Forbid not to speak with tongues.” (1 Corinthians 14:39 KJV)
I'm so glad for our rich history of Pentecost! May we keep obeying God and partnering with the wonderful Holy Spirit.
🙏
