Theological Significance of Speaking in Tongues in Christianity
Speaking in tongues—the miraculous ability to speak in languages one has not learned—stands as one of Christianity's most contested spiritual gifts. The disagreement centers not on whether the phenomenon occurred at Pentecost, but on its theological significance, its continuation, and its proper use in worship.
The Nature of the Gift
The gift manifested at Pentecost when the apostles "spoke in languages" that diverse peoples "did really hear themselves addressed in their own special language" [1]. Paul's instructions in 1 Corinthians 14 treat tongues as actual languages requiring interpretation for the church's edification [2, 3]. John Chrysostom observed that "the many tongues frequently met in one man, and the same person used to discourse both in the Persian, and the Roman, and the Indian, and many other tongues" [8]. Aquinas argued that Christ's first disciples received this gift because "they might disperse throughout the whole world, and preach His faith everywhere," making it unfitting "that they who were being sent to teach others should need to be taught by others" [9].
Divergent Interpretations
Cessationist traditions typically view tongues as a sign gift that authenticated the apostolic message and ceased after the foundational era. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown emphasizes that Paul "could never 'wish' for" unintelligible ecstatic speech, confirming tongues meant actual languages [7]. John Gill interprets tongues as "a sign of wrath and punishment inflicted on a rebellious and unbelieving people, and not of grace" [6], drawing on Isaiah 28:11's warning context.
Continuationist traditions affirm that tongues remain available as a spiritual gift for personal edification and corporate worship when interpreted. Adam Clarke notes the gift "was never designed for the benefit of those who have already believed, but for the instruction of unbelievers" [4], yet acknowledges its ongoing potential when properly ordered.
Shared Ground and Divergence
All traditions agree that Paul subordinates tongues to prophecy in corporate worship: "greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying" [3]. The principle that worship must edify the congregation unites cessationists and continuationists alike [5].
The divergence stems from differing views on whether miraculous gifts continued beyond the apostolic age and how to interpret Paul's regulatory instructions—as temporary management of a fading phenomenon or as permanent guidelines for an ongoing gift.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Tongues, Gift of — Granted on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4), in fulfilment of a promise Christ had made to his disciples (Mark 16:17). What this gift actually was has been a subject of much discussion. Some have argued that it was merely an outward sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit among the disciples, typifying his manifold gifts, and showing that salvation was to be extended to all nations. But the words of Luke (Acts 2:9) clearly show that the various peoples in Jerusalem at the time of Pentecost did really hear themselves addressed in their own special la”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 14:5 (LITV) — And I wish all of you to speak in languages, but rather that you may prophesy. For the one prophesying is greater than the one speaking in tongues, unless he interpret that the church may receive building up.”
- 1 Corinthians “1 Corinthians 14:5 (NASB) — Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 14:22: Wherefore tongues are for a sign - The miraculous gift of tongues was never designed for the benefit of those who have already believed, but for the instruction of unbelievers, that they might see from such a miracle that this is the work of God; and so embrace the Gospel. But as, in the times of the prophet, the strange Babylonish tongues came in the way of punishment, and not in the way of mercy; take heed that it be not the case now: that, by dwelling on the gift, ye forget the Giver; and what was designed for you as a blessing, may prove to you to be a c”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 14:21: 14:21-25 Paul used this quotation from Isa 28:11-12 to show that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. However, in 1 Cor 14:23-25, Paul argues that even unbelievers are more likely to be convicted by a word of prophecy than by speaking in tongues. His point is that, in public worship, the gift of prophecy is of greater usefulness than the gift of tongues.”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 14:21: Wherefore tongues are for a sign,.... Of wrath and punishment inflicted on a rebellious and unbelieving people, and not of grace and kindness, as prophesying, or speaking to them by the prophets, was; and so this is an inference from what is said in the preceding verse, and shows, that there was no reason why believers should be so very desirous of them. But if these words refer to all that is said before on this subject, the word "sign" may be taken for a miracle; and so a new argument is formed against an over fondness for divers tongues, and the use of them”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 14:5: Translate, "Now I wish you all to speak with tongues (so far am I from thus speaking through having any objection to tongues), but rather IN ORDER THAT (as my ulterior and higher wish for you) ye should prophesy." Tongues must therefore mean languages, not ecstatic, unintelligible rhapsodie (as NEANDER fancied): for Paul could never "wish" for the latter in their behalf. greater--because more useful. except he interpret--the unknown tongue which he speaks, "that the Church may receive edifying (building up)."”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 & 2 Corinthians: and with so great display; it was not however therefore to be esteemed above all the others. Wherefore then did the Apostles receive it before the rest? Because they were to go abroad every where. And as in the time of building the tower the one tongue was divided into many; so then the many tongues frequently met in one man, and the same person used to discourse both in the Persian, and the Roman, and the Indian, and many other tongues, the Spirit sounding within him: and the gift was called the gift of tongues because he could all at once speak”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of the Grace of Tongues, Art. 1: Article: Whether those who received the gift of tongues spoke in every language? I answer that, Christ's first disciples were chosen by Him in order that they might disperse throughout the whole world, and preach His faith everywhere, according to Mt. 28:19, "Going . . . teach ye all nations." Now it was not fitting that they who were being sent to teach others should need to be taught by others, either as to how they should speak to other people, or as to how they were to understand ”