Opening Text: Acts 2:1-20
In this lesson we will learn 3 things:
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Tongues were for Israel.
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Tongues were temporary in nature.
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Tongues would cease upon the completion of the word of God.
Introduction:
Before we look at the above 3 points let us ask the question "What are tongues?"
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Some people think that tongue talking is speaking gibberish.
- Some people believe that it is currently going on today and is one of the signs of salvation.
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Some people think that God is speaking to them and giving them direct revelation apart from the
word of God.
But what does the Bible say tongues are? The Bible clearly teaches that tongues were known
languages.
"But what about 'unknown tongues' in 1 Corinthians 14?", you may ask.
If we apply what we already know from Acts 2, that tongues are known languages, then 1 Corinthians
14 is not a problem. Paul is simply bawling out the carnal Corinthians for misuse of the gift of
tongues.
Verse by verse commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:
1 Cor 14:1Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may
prophesy.
COMMENT: After telling the Corinthians in Chapter 13 that tongues would cease, Paul now
directs them to follow after prophecy, or preaching.
1 Cor 14:2For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but
unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
1 Cor 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and
comfort.
COMMENT: Again, a logical argument arises. If there is no one who can understand you but
God, then it would be better to speak so that man can be edified, or built up in the faith.
1 Cor 14:4He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that
prophesieth edifieth the church.
COMMENT: It is better to edify the church than just one member of it. Keep in mind here that
no one in the assembly could understand this tongue that was being used. It is unknown only
in the sense that no one there knew what was being said.
For example: If I were to walk into a German, French, or some such assembly and begin to
speak to them in American (we speak American, not English), and no one there understood American,
what good would it do them, though I gave them the whole counsel of God? The answer is none.
1 Cor 14:5 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.
COMMENT: It is readily apparent that prophesying was more edifying than talking in tongues.
1 Cor 14:6Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I
profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying,
or by doctrine?
COMMENT: Again the great apostle to the Gentiles makes the same argument.
1 Cor 14:7And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except
they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
1 Cor 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the
battle?
1 Cor 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.
COMMENT: Yet another illustration of the frustration of tongues.
1 Cor 14:10There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the
world, and none of them is without signification.
1 Cor 14:11Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be
unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
COMMENT: Rather than commend the misuse of this gift, which is how it is practiced today in
America, Paul all but calls it barbaric: the opposite of civilized. In other words, Paul was saying
only a bunch of barbarians would go around speaking things that no one in the speaker's vicinity
could understand, and then brag about it!!!
1 Cor 14:12Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual
gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
COMMENT: This is the 3rd time now that Paul has returned to this theme.
Again, he does not commend the use of tongues. He is commending edification which, apparently from
this passage, was not being accomplished through tongues. If I tell even our young folks that it is
better to do one thing than to do another, they understand perfectly well what is meant. So many
today fight and wrangle with these verses trying to make them say what they do not say.
1 Cor 14:13Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray
that he may interpret.
1 Cor 14:14For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but
my understanding is unfruitful.
1 Cor 14:15What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will
pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the
understanding also.
1 Cor 14:16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room
of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou
sayest?
1 Cor 14:17For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not
edified.
COMMENT: The issue is the edification of the believer. Speaking in tongues in the Corinthian
church was not edifying, and Paul recommends against it in favor of edification.
1 Cor 14:18I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye
all:
COMMENT: Many contend that this is a reference to Paul's personal, private prayer life and,
therefore, it is ok to practice at home. This is a wild leap of imagination. The correct use of
tongues was to reach the lost, as we shall see shortly.
1 Cor 14:19Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding,
that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
COMMENT: This is the 5th time that Paul returns to this argument of edification.
This time he makes it very plain that, "in the church", speaking with understanding is preferred
above speaking in tongues.
By the way, do you know what 5 words Paul would rather speak, clearly and distinctly so everyone
could hear? I am guessing, of course, but I think they might be, "Christ died FOR our sins".
1 Cor 14:20Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in
malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
COMMENT: Paul now reasons with them not to be children. "Do not shoot out the lip because I
am taking away your toy. Grow up and be men in understanding."
1 Cor 14:21In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will
I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
1 Cor 14:22Wherefore 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.
COMMENT: Paul now turns his attention to the purpose originally given for the use of the
gift of tongues: the salvation of the nation of Israel. The Jews required a sign. They were
sign-oriented people. The way they knew that God was working in their midst was through the use of
signs. This principle holds true throughout the law. Signs were a part of their heritage and
birthright. If God was speaking to them, signs would follow.
When lost Israel sees the Gentiles practicing their gifts, God uses this to provoke some to
salvation. This is part of the "provoking ministry of Paul". This sign, talking in tongues, would
be done away with for 2 very good reasons.
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Israel would be set aside because of unbelief.
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The completion of the canon of scripture.
Now this all begs a question, which Paul logically asks in verse 23.
1 Cor 14:23If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all
speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will
they not say that ye are mad?
1 Cor 14:24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one
unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
1 Cor 14:25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his
face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
COMMENT: The question that must be asked is this: If tongues are for a sign to the
unbelievers, why was it being practiced in the church? It needed to be practiced outside in the
world where it could be used effectively. The same is true today. If you want to hear people "speak
in tongues", you have to go to their worship services. I have had Mormons, Church of Christ,
Baptists, and Russellites (or Jehovah's Witnesses) come to my door and talk to me, but I have never
had a Pentecostal come to my door and speak to me in tongues. Why?
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Today it is gibberish and means nothing.
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It is of the flesh.
There is nothing spiritual about it, and this whole chapter proves that very point. The purpose of
tongues was to reach lost Israel through the manifestation of the Spirit in the believer. The
Corinthians were not using it that way.
1 Cor 14:26How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every
one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation.
Let all things be done unto edifying.
COMMENT: This verse demonstrates the carnality evidenced in Corinth and across America
today. No understanding. No edification. Just a flesh and emotion feast.
1 Cor 14:27If 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 Cor 14:28But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the
church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
COMMENT: Terms and Conditions - Part 1: Notice again the problem here is with the
unknown tongue, a language that no one in the congregation could recognize. Also notice that, under
the decently and in order rule, one would not get up and start speaking in an unknown tongue
without first making sure there was an interpreter present. If not, he (not she, because women were
not allowed to speak, much less speak in tongues) was to keep silence.
1 Cor 14:29Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other
judge.
1 Cor 14:30If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let
the first hold his peace.
1 Cor 14:31For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may
learn, and all may be comforted.
1 Cor 14:32And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the
prophets.
1 Cor 14:33For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in
all churches of the saints.
COMMENT: Terms and Conditions - Part 2: The prophets are to speak first, as many as 2
or 3, and another was to judge, or make sure he spoke according to sound doctrine. If someone got a
revelation, that is they received some light that might help the others to understand, they were to
wait their turn. Notice that there are no limits. All may prophesy, that all may learn, and all
may be comforted. This is consistent with Pauline doctrine and the context of this passage.
Verse 32 simply means to gauge what is being said, the role of the judge.
1 Cor 14:34Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is
not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the
law.
1 Cor 14:35And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their
husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
COMMENT: Terms and Conditions - Part 3: The speaking is tongues and prophesying. They
are not to interrupt the flow of things with questions. The shame comes from not being under
subjection, not for being a woman. The modern tongues movement would come to a screeching halt if
this one verse were obeyed.
1 Cor 14:36What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto
you only?
COMMENT: Now Paul completely deflates their ballooning pride by telling them that they are
not the center of the universe. "Do you think you are the only ones in God's plan and purpose?"
1 Cor 14:37If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him
acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
1 Cor 14:38But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
COMMENT: Finally, the apostle to the Gentiles reminds them that if they really were
spiritual, if they really were prophets, they would acknowledge him and his ministry. Such is the
condition of the "professing church" today. They stumble in fettered flesh and emotionalism because
they have not acknowledged the apostleship of Paul. In reference to verse 38, it is as if Paul were
saying, "You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink. We can only show you the door
you will have to open it and go in".
1 Cor 14:39Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to
speak with tongues.
1 Cor 14:40Let all things be done decently and in order.
COMMENT: Paul's closing remarks on this subject are clear and instructive. It is better to
edify than not. Speaking in tongues is not to be forbidden (at that time), but clearly here, and
according to the context, it was better to leave tongues out in the world where it could do the
most good. "In the church" it only brings confusion.
Conclusion:
The Corinthians were not using tongues in the proper way and Paul commands them to put things in
order. The church was to be a place of edification and education of the saints. Tongues were to be
a sign to unbelievers. Paul recommends prophecy over tongues by a huge ratio. And by the way, women
are not to do it.
Having said all that, let's continue to examine what the Bible teaches about speaking in tongues:
Tongues Were For Israel
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The Twelve Apostles received the gift
Acts 1:26And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon
Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one
place.
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Peter quoted Joel, an Old Testament, Jewish prophet
Acts 2:14But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said
unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto
you, and hearken to my words:
Acts 2:15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the
day.
Acts 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my
Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall
see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Acts 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my
Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
NOTE: There is a dispensational line to be drawn here. The following events in the passage
did not come to pass in Peter's day. They will happen after the catching away of the church, the
body of Christ.
Acts 2:19And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath;
blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
Acts 2:20The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into
blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
- The Jews require a sign. They always have.
1 Cor 1:22For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after
wisdom:
Examples: Moses and the burning bush, Gideon's fleece, the virgin birth, Hezekiah's 10
degrees, etc.
Christ's words to the scribes and the Pharisees:
Mat 12:38Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered,
saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
Mat 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh
after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
Mat 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the
Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Mat 12:41The men of Ninevehshall rise in judgment with
this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and,
behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
Note that the Ninevites needed no sign, just preaching.
Jer 5:15Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the
LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest
not, neither understandest what they say.
Deu 28:49The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the
earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not
understand; To these people, to these Gentiles, were Israel's gifts given to provoke them
to jealousy.
Rom 11:11I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God
forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them
to jealousy.
Tongues Were Temporary In Nature
Israel was going to be set aside as God's agency because of her rejection of the Messiah and the
Holy Spirit. God had a secret plan to bring in the revelation of the mystery. This is made evident
in the book of Romans:
Rom 11:25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery,
lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until
the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:28As concerning the gospel (i.e. the gospel of grace), they
are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers'
sakes.
Rom 11:29For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Rom
11:30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their
unbelief:
Rom 11:31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may
obtain mercy.
Note: At the time of the writing of Romans, Israel could be called enemies of the gospel.
Note also that in verse 31, Israel now must go through the body of Christ to be saved. The
tables have been turned, so to speak. The middle wall of partition has been broken down.
Eph 2:14For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the
middle wall of partition between us;
Three times in the book of Acts, Paul pronounces judgment on unbelieving Israel.
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Acts 13:46Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the
word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge
yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
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Acts 18:6And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment,
and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go
unto the Gentiles.
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Acts 28:25And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that
Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
Acts 28:26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not
understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
Acts 28:27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing,
and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears,
and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Acts 28:28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the
Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
Conclusion: Tongues belong to Israel. When Israel is set aside, so are her signs.
Tongues would cease for the body of Christ upon the completion of the word of God
1 Cor 13:8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail;
whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
COMMENT: What do prophecies, tongues and knowledge (supernatural knowledge, as with tongues
and prophecy) have in common? They all have to do with the transmission of the word of God. When
Paul, by the Holy Spirit, penned these words, the word of God was not complete. Therefore he says,
"We know in part."
NOTE: The word "knowledge" used in this passage is the Greek word "gnosis", which
means, "to have knowledge of." This in itself is not very significant until you turn to the book of
Ephesians, where we find:
Eph 1:17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto
you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
This knowledge is the Greek word "epignosis" which means, "full knowledge!" When we
get a completed book, we no longer need tongues, knowledge or prophecy.
1 Cor 13:9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
1 Cor 13:10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is
in part shall be done away.
COMMENT: The Pentecostals like to say thatthis verse is a reference to the coming of Christ.
First of all, it does not fit the context of the passage in any way. Secondly, it says "that which
is perfect", not "he who is perfect", and God is able to say what He means. When the word of God is
completed, that which is in part shall be done away. And isn't that what we have with Paul
completing the "revelation of the mystery"? We now, today in the year 2000, have God's complete
plan for the heavens and the earth. For the body of Christ and the nation of Israel. For the
mystery program and the prophesied program.
1 Cor 13:11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a
child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
COMMENT: Did you ever grow up? Were things different when you did? That is the difference
between having part, but not all, of the word of God.
1 Cor 13:12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to
face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
COMMENT: Ever look into a dirty mirror then wipe it off. That is the difference between
having part, but not all, of the word of God.
One last passage:
Col 1:24Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind
of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
Col 1:25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given
to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
Col 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now
is made manifest to his saints:
Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among
the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Col 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we
may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Col 1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me
mightily.
To Paul was given the capstone of divine revelation. His epistles finish the book. And we have it
in our hands today.
2 Tim 3:16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Tim 3:17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto
all good works.
This verse nullifies tongues for this age, the dispensation of the grace of God.
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Tongues were for Israel
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Tongues were temporary in nature
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Tongues would cease upon the completion of the word of God
