Is Speaking in Tongues a Prayer Language
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Is Speaking in Tongues a Prayer Language?
Exploring the Debate
Many Pentecostal churches teach that speaking in tongues is a heavenly language, often referred to as the "tongues of angels." But what does the Bible actually say about this, and where does this belief come from?
In the New Testament, the Greek words for tongues?"glossa meaning "tongue, language" and the verb laleo meaning "to speak" ?"refer to earthly or known languages. This is the root of the term glossolalia.
The Biblical Reference to Angelic Tongues
There's a single verse in the Bible that mentions the tongues of angels: 1 Corinthians 13:1 (KJV), which states, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." Was Paul claiming to speak in angelic tongues?
To understand this, we need context. The Greek word translated as "though" is often more accurately translated as "if" in other New Testament passages. Thus, many Bible versions correctly render this as "if I speak in the tongues of men and angels."
Moreover, the following verses indicate Paul was speaking rhetorically. He writes in 1 Corinthians 13:2-3 about having the gift of prophecy and understanding all mysteries, emphasizing that without love, these gifts mean nothing. Paul is highlighting the importance of love, not claiming to speak angelic languages or possess all knowledge.
Is Speaking in Tongues for Self-Edification?
Some believe speaking in tongues is meant for personal edification, but the Bible suggests spiritual gifts are intended to build up the church. Evangelism, prophesying, teaching, preaching, and speaking in tongues all served this purpose.
Paul addresses this in 1 Corinthians 14:4: "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church." Some preachers suggest this supports personal edification, but in context, Paul is actually reproving the Corinthian church for misusing this gift. He argues that without an interpreter, speaking in tongues is unhelpful to others.
1 Corinthians 14:5-7 underscores this by saying, "I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying." Paul stresses that prophecy is more valuable for church edification unless tongues are interpreted.
Conclusion
Paul continues in 1 Corinthians 14:9, "So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air." His message is clear: focus on building up the church, not on self-centered practices.
The Bible indicates that speaking in tongues was intended for communicating the gospel in understood languages. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 14:11-12, "Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian... Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church."
In summary, while speaking in tongues may be seen by some as a personal prayer language, its biblical purpose was to edify the church and spread the gospel in understandable languages.
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