1 Corinthians 12:7-10 “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: (8) for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, (9) to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, (10) 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.”
In this section we want to discuss the spiritual gift of the interpretation of tongues, i.e. to whom is it given and what is its purpose. In the above quoted passage of scripture the apostle Paul lists the gift of the interpretation of tongues as the last of the nine spiritual gifts. We mentioned in the previous section that the gift of different kinds of tongues and the gift of prophecy were similar, except for the fact that the one who operates the gift of different kinds of tongues prophesies in a language that is unknown to the speaker. In the same manner the gift of the interpretation of tongues and the gift of prophecy are also similar, except for the obvious fact that the gift of interpretation of tongues can only operate in conjunction with the gift of different kinds of tongues. And so because the gift of prophecy and the gift of the interpretation of tongues are so similar, we will not discuss in this section the common points which we have already discussed in the section on prophecy. But rather we will concentrate in this section on the points that are unique to this gift.
1 Corinthians 14:5-13 “I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. … (12) Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. (13) Therefore, let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.”
In the above quoted passage of scripture the apostle Paul teaches us that the gift of prophecy is greater than the gift of different kinds of tongues. The reason for that is obvious, because unlike the gift of prophecy which edifies the church, the gift of different kinds of tongues on its own cannot edify the church because no one understands the words spoken. However, Paul goes on in this passage to teach us that the gift of different kinds of tongues and the gift of interpretation of tongues used together equals the gift of prophecy. The reason for that is because different kinds of tongues and the interpretation of tongues used together are able to edify the church, just like prophecy does. Paul goes on in this passage to teach us that one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret. The reason for that is because without the interpretation of the tongue spoken, the church will not be edified. And so there is something else that we learn from this passage, which is that it is possible for the same person who speaks in a tongue to also give the interpretation for that tongue. In other words they will operate in both spiritual gifts, i.e. different kinds of tongues and interpretation of tongues. There is one other important point that needs to be mentioned about interpretation of tongues. The gift is called the interpretation of tongues not the translation of tongues. In other words when one interprets a message given in tongues, the Holy Spirit does not give the individual a word for word translation of what was spoken, but rather a summary of what was spoken. This is the reason why it is possible for the message spoken in a tongue to be quite lengthy while the interpretation can be relatively short.
1 Corinthians 14:27-28 “If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. (28) But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.”
In the above quoted passage of scripture the apostle Paul gives us further insight into the operation of the gift of interpretation of tongues. As we saw earlier when we discussed the gift of prophecy, this passage declares that it is acceptable for more than one person in a church meeting to give a message in tongues. Nevertheless that number should be limited to two or three at most. I want you to notice that when it comes to giving the interpretation of tongues however, Paul counsels that only one person should be used in this manner. In other words, although two or three different people can speak out in tongues, there should only be one person who interprets the various tongues spoken. And so we see that even if there is more than one interpreter in the meeting, only one of them should speak out the interpretations. I also want you to notice that the individual who has the gift of interpretation of tongues will be recognised in the church, for this passage teaches us that if there is no interpreter in the church that the one who has the tongue should refrain from speaking out. The only way the one who has the tongue can know if there is an interpreter in the meeting is if there is an individual in the church that is recognized as having this gift. This highlights another very obvious truth for us with regards to the gifts of tongues and the interpretation of tongues, i.e. neither of these gifts can function on their own. They both need each other in order to function as God intended. I will close this section with a personal example of the operation of this gift. A number of years ago I was fellowshipping at a small church. During one of their meetings the anointing came upon me to operate in the gift of different kinds of tongues. As I spoke out the message I noticed that I was becoming quite angry and the tone of that anger was obviously being communicated through the tongue being given. At the end of the message I remained silent as is my custom, to allow others present in the meeting who have the gift of interpretation of tongues to operate in their gift. On this occasion however, no one spoke fourth the interpretation and so I was obliged to deliver the interpretation myself. As I expected, the tone of the interpretation reflected the same anger that was displayed through the tongue given. The main thrust of the message was that God was displeased with any who would try to diminish the Lordship of His Son in the church and that those who chose to do so should repent of their actions. Unbeknown to me at the time, the pastor and his wife had recently decided between themselves to begin aligning their church with the teachings of a false “prophetess”. When this pastoral couple announced their decision to the congregation two weeks later, I immediately understood the reason for the tone of the tongue and interpretation given two weeks before. And so in response to their announcement I met with the pastor and explained to him that the word delivered two weeks before had been specifically addressed to him because of his chosen path. I warned him that if he continued on that path that he would lose both his church and his ministry. Sadly He refused to listen to the Lord’s counsel and so I left that church. Today that church no longer exists and that pastor is no longer in the ministry.
Michael E.B. Maher
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