What is praying in tongues?

Answer

As a background, please read our article on the gift of speaking in tongues. There are four primary Scripture passages that are cited as evidence for praying in tongues: Romans 8:26; 1 Corinthians 14:4-17; Ephesians 6:18; and Jude verse 20. Ephesians 6:18 and Jude 20 mention “praying in the Spirit.” However, tongues as a prayer language is not a likely interpretation of “praying in the Spirit.”

Romans 8:26 teaches us, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” Two key points make it highly unlikely that Romans 8:26 is referring to tongues as a prayer language. First, Romans 8:26 states that it is the Spirit who “groans,” not believers. Second, Romans 8:26 states that the “groans” of the Spirit “cannot be expressed.” The very essence of speaking in tongues is uttering words.

That leaves us with 1 Corinthians 14:4-17 and verse 14 especially: “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.” First Corinthians 14:14 distinctly mentions “praying in tongues.” What does this mean? First, studying the context is immensely valuable. First Corinthians chapter 14 is primarily a comparison/contrast of the gift of speaking in tongues and the gift of prophecy. Verses 2-5 make it clear that Paul views prophecy as a gift superior to tongues. At the same time, Paul exclaims the value of tongues and declares that he is glad that he speaks in tongues more than anyone (verse 18).

Acts chapter 2 describes the first occurrence of the gift of tongues. On the day of Pentecost, the apostles spoke in tongues. Acts chapter 2 makes it clear that the apostles were speaking in a human language (Acts 2:6-8). The word translated “tongues” in both Acts chapter 2 and 1 Corinthians chapter 14 is.

Glossa, which means “language,” is the term from which we derive our modern English word glossary. Speaking in tongues referred to the ability to speak in a language unknown to the speaker, enabling the communication of the gospel to someone fluent in that language. In the diverse setting of Corinth, the gift of tongues held particular value and prominence. The Corinthian believers effectively conveyed the gospel and God’s Word thanks to this gift. Nevertheless, Paul emphasized that even in the use of tongues, interpretation or “translation” was essential «Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. », (1 Corinthians 14:13,27) «If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. », (1 Corinthians 14:13,27). A believer in Corinth would speak in tongues to convey God’s truth to someone fluent in that language, and then either that believer or another member of the congregation would interpret the message so that everyone could understand.

So, what is praying in tongues, and how does it differ from speaking in tongues? First Corinthians 14:13-17 suggests that praying in tongues also requires interpretation. Therefore, praying in tongues appears to involve offering a prayer to God. While this prayer may minister to someone fluent in that language, it also needs interpretation for the benefit of the entire congregation.

This interpretation contrasts with the perspective that views praying in tongues as a personal prayer language. This alternative viewpoint can be summarized as follows: praying in tongues constitutes a personal form of prayer between a believer and God «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.” , (1 Corinthians 13:1) that a believer uses to edify himself “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.” , (1 Corinthians 14:4). This interpretation is unbiblical for the following reasons: 1) How could praying in tongues be a private prayer language if it is to be interpreted (1 Corinthians 14:13-17)? 2) How could praying in tongues be for self-edification when Scripture says that the spiritual gifts are for the edification of the church, not the self “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” , (1 Corinthians 12:7)? 3) How can praying in tongues be a private prayer language if the gift of tongues is a “sign to unbelievers” “Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.” , (1 Corinthians 14:22)? 4) The Bible makes it clear that not everyone possesses the gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:11,28-30). How could tongues be a gift for self-edification if not every believer can possess it? Do we not all need to be edified?

Some understand praying in tongues to be a “secret code language” that prevents Satan and his demons from understanding our prayers and thereby gaining an advantage over us. This interpretation is unbiblical for the following reasons: 1) The New Testament consistently describes tonguesAs a human language, Satan and his demons are capable of understanding human languages. The Bible records numerous believers praying in their own language, aloud, without worrying about Satan intercepting the prayer. Even if Satan and/or his demons hear and comprehend the prayers we offer, they have no power to prevent God from answering the prayers according to His will. We are confident that God hears our prayers, rendering it insignificant whether Satan and his demons hear and understand our prayers.

What, then, do we make of the many Christians who have found praying in tongues to be personally enriching? Firstly, we should base our faith and practices on Scripture, not on experience. We should interpret our experiences in light of Scripture, not vice versa. Secondly, many cults and world religions also claim instances of speaking in tongues or praying in tongues. Clearly, the Holy Spirit is not bestowing these gifts upon unbelievers. It appears that demons can mimic the gift of speaking in tongues. This should prompt us to carefully compare our experiences with Scripture. Thirdly, speaking or praying in tongues can be a learned behavior. By listening to and observing others speaking in tongues, an individual can learn the practice, sometimes even subconsciously. This is likely the most common explanation for instances of speaking or praying in tongues among Christians. Fourthly, the sensation of “self-edification” is natural. The human body releases adrenaline and endorphins when encountering something new, exciting, emotional, or detached from rational thought.

Praying in tongues is certainly a topic on which Christians can respectfully and lovingly agree to disagree. Praying in tongues does not determine salvation. It does not distinguish a mature Christian from an immature one. Whether there exists a concept of praying in tongues as a personal prayer language is

Praying in tongues is not a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith. Therefore, although we hold the biblical interpretation that it does not align with the concept of a private prayer language for personal edification, we acknowledge that those who engage in this practice are part of our Christian family and deserve our love and respect.