Order in the Court of the King! (Tongues-2)

Grace Thoughts

Order in the Court of the King! (Tongues-2)

Our focus in this series is on ‘decency and order’ in the Church. As I read news stories and social media posts about people’s perception of the modern ‘Church,’ it would seem that everything is ‘out of order.’ That’s not entirely true, though I do agree in general that the ‘Church’ has lost its way in many areas of bringing glory to God and finishing the work He has given us to do.

So, how do we find our way back to the ‘path’ our Lord has set for His Church? He’s the Builder and we, interestingly enough, are what He’s building –

For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:9

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22

Those verses, among many others, have astounded and amazed me from the first day I read them. We learn in Scripture that God has a very special purpose for His ‘Church.’ As we understand His purpose, we should be able to understand how important ‘order’ is in the Church –

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7

… to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord … Ephesians 3:10-11

For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. Colossians 2:5

Tongues in Corinth

I chose the divisive issue of ‘tongues’ to start Volume IV of our series. The primary reason is because of this verse – “Let all things be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40). Another reason, as I explained in the last part of this series, is that ‘speaking in tongues’ was one of the first challenges I faced as a new Christian. I was glad to have the opportunity to share my testimony of God’s grace to me as a former atheist, but I was a bit surprised by the reception from some Christians. Among other things, they told me that I needed to speak in tongues as ‘proof’ of my salvation. They said it was in the Bible, so I should believe it and do it.

So, I began a study in the Bible about speaking in tongues. What I found in the early verses about tongues (e.g. Mark, Acts) didn’t convince me that I had to speak in tongues as proof of salvation. However, I did notice that most of the verses about tongues were in 1 Corinthians. I would wait to make a decision about until I finished the investigation.

I was fortunate to learn from Christian mentors about the importance of studying the Bible ‘in context.’ That simple phrase has helped me greatly in the years that followed. The first mention of ‘tongues’ (glōssais, a language) in 1 Corinthians is in chapter 12, but I thought it would be best to understand the context of Paul’s letter before diving into ‘tongues.’

Paul began his letter by addressing the fact that the Corinthian church had many ‘divisions’ and ‘contentions.’

Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. 1 Corinthians 1:10-11

Paul added this several paragraphs later –

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

The context of that statement was about divisions among church members concerning Paul and Apollos, which we’ve already looked at in this series. Paul later wrote this in the same letter –

For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. 1 Corinthians 11:18-19

Paul wrote that in the context of Christians sharing the ‘Lord’s Supper’ together. While other apostolic letters dealt with ‘divisions’ in churches from the aspect of ‘heretical’ teachings, Paul’s letter to the Corinthians seemed to deal with ‘non-heretical’ issues. Church leaders and members have had to deal with both for centuries, even as you will or already have in your church. The question is how to deal with them ‘decently and in order.’

Spiritual

Now that we have our bearings on Paul’s general context for writing 1 Corinthians, let’s dive into what he taught about ‘speaking in tongues.’

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant. 1 Corinthians 12:1

Paul’s opening to the subject began with the importance that Christians not be ‘ignorant’ (agnoein, not to know, to be ignorant about something) about ‘spiritual gifts‘ (pneumatikōn, spiritual, realm of the spirt). The word ‘gifts‘ is not in the original, so Paul was addressing the idea of those things in the spiritual realm. He continued –

You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:2-3

Most of the Christians in the Corinthian church were Gentiles who had worshiped ‘dumb idols’ (eidōla ta aphōna, false image, false god, without voice, speechless) before responding to the Gospel of Christ. Paul wanted to make it clear at this point that ‘no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed,’ and that ‘no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.’ The idea of ‘speaking’ here is the word lalōn, which means ‘talk, speak.’ The word ‘say’ is legei and means ‘speech in progress.’ Neither word connects specifically to speaking in ‘tongues,’ but it’s important to note that Paul addressed speaking and speech in progress before addressing ‘tongues.’

It’s also important to notice how the Holy Spirit functions in ‘speech.’ No one speaking by God’s Spirit calls Jesus ‘accursed’ (anathema). No one can say that Jesus is Lord ‘except by the Holy Spirit.’ Remember what Jesus said the Holy Spirit would do in the life of Christians when He came?

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. John 16:13-14

This connects directly to what Paul wrote the Corinthians. The Holy Spirit speaks what He ‘hears.’ The Holy Spirit glorifies Christ. He takes of what is Christ’s and declares it to His people. That’s why Paul wrote that no one speaking by the Holy Spirit can call Jesus ‘accursed.’ If you hear anyone say that, it is not from the Holy Spirit. Also, no one can truly call Jesus ‘Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit.

Spiritual Gifts

Paul does use the word ‘gifts’ in the next verse of his letter to the Corinthians –

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:4

The Greek reads Diaireseis de charismatōn (varieties, differences, of, gifts of grace). Spiritual gifts, charismatōn, are what many Christians wanted to emphasize to me as a young Christian – especially speaking in tongues. However, I noticed that there were two other important aspects of God’s working that I should note –

There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 1 Corinthians 12:5-6

So, what we have so far are three areas of how God works in the ‘spiritual realm’ for and through His children –

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.
And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

We see the working of the Spirit in the area of different gifts of grace (charismatōn). We see the work of the Lord Jesus in different ministries (diakonia, service). And we see the work of God the Father in the area of different activities (energéma, operation, energetic working). God is involved in every aspect of what we do as Christians in His Church – from the spiritual gifts, to the various ministries, to the operation and energetic working. Spiritual gifts come from the Holy Spirit, not us. Ministries come from the Lord, not us. Energetic working and operation come from God, not us. Everything is from Him, for Him, and to Him. All credit goes to God – as it should.

With that introduction, Paul explains the various spiritual gifts the Spirit gives Christians –

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

A ‘manifestation’ (phanerōsis) means ‘a disclosure, coming to light.’ Notice that the purpose of the Spirit’s ‘manifestation’ that is given to ‘each one’ is for the ‘profit of all.’ That’s vital to understand. Whatever spiritual gift (charismatōn) the Spirit gives you is for the purpose of the ‘profit of all’ (sumpheron, bringing together for mutual profit, common profiting, combining in a way that brings a gain to all). Spiritual gifts are not for our individual profit. They are for edifying, building up, profiting all Christians in a church. Please take hold of that idea before proceeding into the world of spiritual gifts.

Here’s the list of spiritual gifts the Holy Spirit distributes for the profit of all –

for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit
to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit
to another faith by the same Spirit
to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit
to another the working of miracles
to another prophecy
to another discerning of spirits
to another different kinds of tongues
to another the interpretation of tongues

Paul mentioned nine specific spiritual gifts here, and notice these words that follow –

But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

The Holy Spirit ‘works’ (energeó, accomplishes) all these things (all the ‘gifts’ mentioned), ‘distributing’ (diaireó, assigns) as He ‘wills’ (boulomai, desires, intends, wishes).

Notice how carefully Paul is explaining each aspect of how the Holy Spirit works in distributing spiritual gifts. Why? Because he was dealing with a ‘division’ in the Corinthian church. Some people thought they were better than other people because of the charismatōn they believed they had. How do I know that? Because of the theme of the letter (dealing with divisions and contentions in the church), and what Paul wrote after naming the spiritual gifts –

For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 1 Corinthians 12:12-26

Look at how Paul addressed the problem. Some Christians were telling other Christians ‘I have no need of you.’ Wrong. Paul pointed out that every member of the local body is important in God’s eyes and needed for the mutual profit of the entire church.

The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you.’ The head cannot say to the feed, ‘I have no need of you.’ Every member of the church is needed. To say otherwise is to hurt people and cause divisions in a church. God does not want any ‘schisms’ (schisma, divisions) in a local body of believers. Members should ‘have the same care for one another.’ That’s why He designed spiritual gifts the way He did.

Tongues ‘and’ Interpretation

Though I would love to dive into all of the charismatōn Paul mentioned, I’m going to stay on course for this particular part of our study. Keep in mind that I’m referring back to statements Christians made to me soon after I left atheism for Christian theism. They said I needed to ‘speak in tongues’ as proof of my salvation.

So, when I came to 1 Corinthians 12 I was struck by Paul’s statement –

to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues

The first phrase reads this way in the Greek – heterō genē glōssōn (to one’s neighbor, to another, various kinds, various family of, a language). The first thing that stuck out to me was the idea of ‘to another, to one’s neighbor.’ This spiritual gift of tongues was not for everyone! That’s not what I had been told by some Christians. They said I had to speak in tongues as proof that I was saved. If that was true, how could Paul’s words also be true – ‘to another different kinds of tongues’? The statement Paul made contradicted the statements of some Christians telling me I had to speak in tongues. That kind of contradiction is logically impossible, so who would I believe? No contest – I believed the Bible.

Paul restated the same point later in chapter 12 when he wrote –

Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 1 Corinthians 12:27-30

The answer is obviously ‘no.’ Everyone in the church did not have all those spiritual gifts. Not everyone was an apostle. Not everyone was a prophet. Not everyone was a teacher. Not everyone had the gift of miracles. Not everyone had the gift of healings. Not everyone spoke in tongues. And, not everyone interpreted tongues.

That last part was interesting – the spiritual gift of ‘the interpretation of tongues.’ Did ‘interpretation’ mean what I thought it meant? The Greek, hermēneia, means ‘interpretation, translation.’ I looked back at Acts 2 to see if anyone there was translating or interpreting the ‘tongues’ spoken by Christ’s disciples.

“And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?” Acts 2:6-12

No mention of anyone ‘translating’ or ‘interpreting’ tongues. Everyone from every nation in Jerusalem on Pentecost heard the ‘tongues’ spoken by the Galilean followers of Jesus Christ in their ‘own language’ in which they were born.

I looked at other mentions of ‘tongues’ in Acts and found the same thing. No mention of anyone translating or interpreting ‘tongues.’ So, what was Paul talking about in 1 Corinthians 12? What was going on in the Corinthian church that people who spoke in tongues would need a translator/interpreter? It seemed like something had changed, but what? and why?

[Listen to a Podcast of this study by clicking this link.]

Next Time

We’ll look into that in the next part of our special series, Order in the Court of the King!

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Order in the Court of the King! (Tongues-2)