Sunday Morning

We will be studying the spiritual gifts of prophecy and tongues over the next few weeks.

We started by noting some of the differences between tongues in Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 12-14.

Acts 2 is the birth of the church, all the believers spoke in tongues, no interpretation of tongues was needed, the ministry is evangelistic and tongues were spoken for the benefit of the unbelievers, the tongues were understandable by unbelievers, no problems involving believers were being addressed, Peter explains tongues by quoting from Joel 2:28-32.

1 Corinthians 12-14 is the growth and continuation of the church, not all believers will speak in tongues, interpretation of tongues is necessary, the ministry is to the body and tongues were being used for the believers, the tongues were not understandable but were mysteries, problems in the church are being addressed, Paul never explains or defines exactly what tongues are.

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1 Corinthians 13:1-3 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

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Q: What are the Tongues of Angels? A: Many explanations have been offered, we’ll look at some of them.

1) The Hebrew Language: The Jews have pointed out that in Scripture angels always speak Hebrew. They also believe that God spoke in Hebrew when He created the univers.

2) Non-verbal, spiritual communication used between our spirit and the Spirit of God: Some emotions and feelings can’t be put into words. Romans 8:23, 26 is given as an example: But we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies…²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

3) Hypothetical: Tongues of Angels are not real because the whole passage is grammatically hypothetical; IF I speak, IF I have faith, etc.

But we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies…²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

4) Angelic Languages: The Corinthians claimed they were actually speaking the languages of the angels in Heaven. However, they used this to prove they were spiritually mature, to abolish the roles of male and females, to claim they had special spiritual wisdom and to keep from being questioned about their actions.

Paul countered this argument in two passages:

Galatians 1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!

1 Corinthians 6:3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!

Paul’s point is that everything must be tested to prove it is true. Speaking is tongues is not exempt from the gift of discernment or being tested like all of the other gifts to prove they are genuine.

5) Archaic Languages and Figures of Speech Known Only to the Wealthy: The Greeks have a religious history of words and phrases known only to them. Thus, the problem in Corinth was a secret / angelic language known only by the wealthiest people in the church.

6) Demonically Inspired: Some of the Corinthians had been involved in idol / demon worship and had brought this into the church. Paul discusses this in 1 Corinthians 12:2: You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.

7) Faked: Some people were faking tongues to prove they were spiritual.

8) A Combination of Some of the Above: It is possible that there were several things going on in Corinth; real tongues, faked tongues, etc.

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Q: So, What is the gift of Tongues? Do We Know? A: Yes & No.

In Acts Tongues are Clearly Known Human Languages.

Acts 2:5-6 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. ⁶ When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken.

1 Corinthians 14:21 Also refers to Tongues as Known Human Languages: In the Law it is written: “With other tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.”

This is quoted from Deuteronomy 28:49 & Isaiah 28:11-12.

Q: What are Tongues of Angels?

A: There is no clear passage that tells us.

However, it doesn’t matter any way. Whether tongues of angels is a known earthly language or the language of angels in heaven, the spiritual laws Paul gives in 1 Corinthians 14 still apply. 1) Everything must be done in a spirit of love. 2) Everything must be done in an orderly manner. 3) Everything must be led by the Holy Spirit. 4) Everything must be done for the building up and edification of the body / believers. 5) Everything must be understandable, intelligible speech, and must be interpreted if necessary.