I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. 1 Corinthians 14:18-19
This should be a challenging message for most people. As we follow the example of Paul, what do we see is his attitude towards tongues and prophecy?
Lets first define them both. Tongues are a supernatural expression of God through a language the speaker does not know, usually other known languages in the world (the only time scripture even implies an “unknown” language is in 1 Corinthians 13 where Paul is setting up extreme examples to make a point about love). Tongues are expressed in two main ways, interpreted or not.
Prophecy is any speaking forth of something God wants said in the moment. It could be a longer sermon in an assembly situation or even a “God loves you” as you pass someone on the street. This is learning how to speak what God would have you say in the situation, words that do not necessarily come from you. While telling the future is included in prophetic utterances, the New Testament seems to have a wider definition of prophecy than that.
Paul makes it abundantly clear that tongues are a useful gift in this chapter. He says that he wishes all would speak in tongues (v. 5). He says they are an important sign for unbelievers (v. 22). He also commands that no one should forbid this gift of the Spirit (v. 39).
But what about his personal example? First, he explains that he operates in this spiritual gift more than any of those in Corinth, and he thanks God for that. Remember that he is saying this to a group of people who are abusing this gift, at least in Paul’s mind. And Paul’s definition of abuse is public speaking in tongues where those words are not interpreted for the whole group.
Although he speaks in tongues often, on some level, he would rather speak five words that all could understand so all could be encouraged. Because when the Body of Christ meets, the object is for all to be edified.
So Paul’s example is to be well versed in the supernatural gift of tongues, but when in a corporate meeting with the saints, unless there is public interpretation of the tongue, speaking the Truth of God in a common language everyone can understand is his standard.
I’ve addressed the faulty doctrine that gifts are no longer needed or valid in the Body of Christ before in another post: read it here. So I won’t spend more time tackling that in this one.
Peace.