by Gary L. Evans
(revised 8/3/2023)
(unknown) Tongues — Part 1
Antichrists confuse just about everything in the Bible, taking a verse or phrase out of context here and there to presumably justify their traditions, doctrines, and philosophies. One thing they rarely ever do is bother to look at the Hebrew or Greek of the original manuscripts, which is so easy to do using the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance. So they have absolutely no excuse for being so ignorant themselves and in turn for keeping their followers so ignorant of The Truth of God’s Word.
The Third Seal teaches us that a spiritual famine would be in this world near the end, a global lack of understanding God’s Word. And it is obvious that those many antichrists have managed to fulfill the prophesy of that Seal. Consider this example.
Margaret McDonald was a feverishly ill fourteen year old girl in 1830 in Port Glasgow, Scotland. She was Biblically illiterate and was only a recent convert in the local church. She claimed to have had a vision one night while she was delirious with fever, and in her vision saw something evil come from the sky which somehow changed to seem good.
She said she felt overwhelmed with joy, enraptured, and began babbling meaninglessly in her delirium according to witnesses. Out of her illness came Rapture Doctrine and Meaningless Babbling in “(unknown) tongues.”
A few antichrists who made their living selling their version of religion heard about this event, and came to Port Glasgow to find out the details. Then they adopted these ideas as though they had discerned them from careful Bible study, and went around proclaiming their great theological discovery to various churches, any that would pay them money. But they never mentioned one little fact to anybody, that the basis of their so-called new doctrine was the delirium of a sick fourteen year old girl. Because if they had ever mentioned their real source, people would have laughed them out of town as the con-artists that they were.
Then these doctrines were brought to America later in the late 19th century by The Brotherhood and crept into certain denominations where they remain to this very day. Note that these notions were never mentioned in any church doctrine throughout history prior to 1830. There is no mention of “rapture” in the Bible, and there is no mention of meaningless babbling or “mystical tongues” in the Bible either.
In translation from one language into another, often it is necessary to translate one word into two or more words in the target language. In the King James Bible, when the translators did this they would italicize the additional words used in translation to show the reader that they were not directly contained in the original manuscripts, but were added for clarity. It is ridiculous to take any italicized word in a verse of the King James Bible to make some theological argument with it. But antichrists do it all the time!
1Co 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
The word “prophesy” is from the Greek “prof-ate-yoo’-o” which means “to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office.”
John The Baptist was the last and greatest of The Old Testament Prophets who foretold of the imminent coming of The Promised Messiah. Jesus was also “That Prophet” Moses commanded the people of Israel to look for in later generations and to listen to and follow Him when He appeared.
A preacher or teacher now exercises “the prophetic office” in that we teach God’s Written Word, much of which is prophetic in that it explains many future events and conditions in this world leading up to the end.
Here Paul instructs us to follow after loving one another, and also to desire mental abilities and skills in order to teach God’s Word.
1Co 14:2 For 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.
The word “unknown” is not in the Greek manuscript, but was added to clarify the meaning. In the King James Bible you will note that it is in italics to indicate this fact.
The word “tongue” is from “gloce’-sah” which means “the tongue; by implication a language (specifically one naturally unacquired).” So it means “language” but one not naturally acquired, in other words, not learned from childhood from one’s parents and siblings. Thus it means a “foreign language.” So Paul was simply teaching that if you speak a foreign language that your listeners do not understand, then you are wasting your time!
In 1611, they would say “unknown tongue,” where today we say “foreign language.”
English usage has changed quite a bit in four hundred years. So we get used to reading the “thees” and “thous” and “thines” and other such words from the old English language without thinking much about it. How is it that “unknown tongue” is so very different that we become amazed imagining it must be so mystical and “spiritual,” like ghosts and goblins roaming around this world? Because antichrists take words and phrases out of context to make mysterious ideas out of them when there just isn’t any mystery at all! It’s just plain English, well, at least it was back in 1611 anyway.
Paul explains that a Bible teacher that speaks in a foreign language is not communicating to men, that is, not to those sitting in the assembly, because they don’t understand a word he is saying. Although in his own mind he is speaking about the hidden mysteries of the scriptures.
1Co 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
But a teacher who preaches builds up the understanding of the assembly, to warn them and to comfort them. Paul is contrasting someone who reads directly from the Hebrew text to the assembly rather than simply teaching in plain easy to understand language, because most likely they don’t understand Hebrew! And the same is true regarding teaching The New Testament, which was written in Greek.
1Co 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
A man who speaks in a foreign language makes himself appear knowledgeable, but one who truly preaches increases the knowledge of the assembly.
1Co 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.
Paul desired that all could speak in foreign languages, but for the purpose of preaching, for it is better to preach and teach than to speak in foreign languages, unless he interpret that language so that the assembly would grow in knowledge and understanding.
You have noticed that I teach the Hebrew and Greek of the original manuscripts, and I do this in order to teach you clearly, not to impress you, but to show how simple it is to understand The Word of God. And some of the King James Translation is not clear, because no translation can be in all cases. And isn’t this what Paul is simply saying here?
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
(unknown) Tongues — Part 2
1Co 14:6 Now, 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?
A Bible teacher who was a Greek scholar was invited to a local church to teach a sermon. Desiring to instill an interest in the congregation in the original language of the manuscripts of the New Testament, he started his teaching by reading aloud from The Gospel of John chapter one verses one through five in the original Greek.
But before he could even finish to begin explaining, someone in the back jumped up and began declaring loudly, “thus saith the Lord…” and went on and on. Then somebody else jumped up and did the same, and then another man jumped up whooping and hollering saying some things. The problem was that none of them said anything resembling an interpretation of John 1:1-5, so they were all false interpreters.
The teacher gathered his things quietly without saying another word and walked down the isle and out the front door.
What good does it do to teach in a foreign language? An assembly can only profit from explaining what God’s Word means in their own language.
1Co 14:7 And 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?
Even a musical instrument must be played with a sequence of meaningful sounds in order for people to appreciate the music.
1Co 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
If a bugler does not make the proper sound, the troops will not rally when they are supposed to.
1Co 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.
So unless we speak words that most people understand, how can anyone be expected to understand what we are talking about?
1Co 14:10-11 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. Therefore 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.
There are many languages in this world, and they are well understood by the people who learn them from their youth. But if I do not know the language of the people I am trying to talk to, then I will seem like a foreigner to them and they will seem like foreigners to me.
1Co 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
So if you desire any special gift from God, desire to be enabled to build up the assembly.
1Co 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
So anyone who teaches in a foreign language should also seek the ability to properly translate it to the assembly.
1Co 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
Even in prayer, if we pray in a foreign language, our hearts are sincere, but our minds don’t really understand any of the words. Have you ever heard a religious song being sung most beautifully in a foreign language? It sounds real good and stirs up the emotions, but you don’t understand a single word!
1Co 14:15 What 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.
When you pray, pray in plain language that you understand. And when you sing, sing in plain language that you understand.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
(unknown) Tongues — Part 3
1Co 14:16-17 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? For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
Paul states simply that no one can even know when to say “Truly” when you give thanks if he doesn’t know what you are saying in a foreign language.
1Co 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
Paul was an Israelite of the tribe of Benjamin, and spoke several languages, Hebrew, Greek, probably Latin, and various dialects of the regions around Jerusalem all the way to Rome, Italy, because he was a Roman citizen. In those days, one only needed to travel a hundred miles to another large city and they would be speaking a different dialect or even a different language then the previous city you visited. So he was saying here that he spoke more languages than anyone in the assembly at Corinth, and that he was thankful to God for his abilities to speak various languages.
1Co 14:19 Yet 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.
The word “church” is from the Greek “ek-klay-see’-ah” which means “a calling out.” So Paul was addressing the “called out ones” in Corinth, that is, those who had been called out of Satan’s world by God into The New Covenant.
Paul teaches that it is better to speak five words clearly so that others may gain knowledge than to speak ten thousand words in a foreign language. That just makes common sense.
1Co 14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
Don’t be immature regarding understanding. The word “malice” is from “kak-ee’-ah” which means “badness, that is, (subjectively) depravity, or (actively) malignity, or (passively) trouble.” Be as a child regarding badness, depravity, malignity, and trouble making, in other words, be innocent regarding these. But be mature regarding understanding. Grow up, be adult men and women of God!
1Co 14:21 In 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.
God declared that with people speaking other languages would He speak to His chosen people, but even then He knew that they would not listen. Paul was quoting from Isaiah.
Isa 28:11-12 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
Note also in Isaiah that our Lord declares that what these foreigners would be teaching about was “the rest” or Sabbath intended to bring them rest. Christ Jesus is our “Sabbath Rest.” But Israel would not listen.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
(unknown) Tongues — Part 4
1Co 14:22 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.
The word “sign” is from the Greek “say-mi’-on” which means “an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally.”
Speaking in a foreign language about the Promised Messiah and The New Covenant is a miraculous sign to unbelieving Israelites. Recall verse 21 and the verses of Isaiah where The Lord declared to Israel that even after men speaking foreign languages tell you about the Sabbath Rest I am offering to you, you still will not believe. Christ is our Sabbath Rest. So when an Israelite who perhaps only understands a little street Greek hears a group of Gentiles speaking about Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and King David, and his descendant The Messiah, they will be amazed that Gentiles are talking about things in The Law and Prophets and wonder why they are so interested.
And for believers, a teacher must convince the assembly of the certainty of what he or she is explaining, by showing in the scriptures how it is true. Today, an English speaking teacher must teach certain words of the Hebrew or the Greek and explain in English how the fullness of the meaning of the scripture says what he is stating. After the assembly is convinced of the authority of the precept, then the teacher may begin to preach on the subject in greater depth.
1Co 14:23 If 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?
If the whole assembly is speaking in Hebrew or speaking about Hebrew words and then English speaking unbelievers come in to visit who are unfamiliar with what everyone is talking about, they will think everybody is crazy. It is important to teach the full depth of meaning of the scriptures to those who are already knowledgeable, but new-comers won’t get much out of it since they don’t understand what’s going on.
1Co 14:24-25 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: 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.
But if the whole assembly is speaking plainly in English, for example, and English speaking unbelievers come in to visit, then they will pick up on what’s being said and understand and be led to repentance. Once they are converted, then they will begin to desire more in depth understanding of the scriptures, digging into the language of the manuscripts to ascertain complex meanings and precepts.
1Co 14:26 How 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.
Paul admonishes this assembly in Corinth because they were disorderly, everyone participating but each in different ways without any order. That type of behavior among members would be rather confusing, each person doing his own thing. There must be a regular order so that the entire assembly gains in knowledge about The Word of God.
1Co 14:27-28 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. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
Again, Paul admonishes them to limit speaking in a language foreign to the assembly or audience. When someone speaks in a meeting in a foreign language, no one understands him or her, and it is rather confusing or boring. And there must be someone interpreting what that person is teaching so that the assembly can understand. So if one is preaching to Spanish speaking people, he should preach in Spanish, but if he can’t, then he must have a gifted interpreter. Even then his message will be broken by the frequent interruptions of interpretation, so this type of teaching should be limited.
(unknown) Tongues — Part 5
1Co 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
The word “prophets” is from the Greek “prof-ay’-tace” which means “a foreteller (“prophet”); by analogy an inspired speaker; by extension a poet.”
So in the meeting we should let those inspired speak two or three in order and let others evaluate their words.
1Co 14:30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
Whenever someone else has something to add to the discussion, the first speakers should be silent while he speaks.
1Co 14:31-32 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
Everyone may have an opportunity to speak one at a time, so that everyone may learn and receive consolation in the assembly.
1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
This is an important truth, that God is not the author of confusion. Satan is the author of confusion, especially when he comes as The Antichrist when he will have the title King of Babylon at the end. Babylon is from Babel which means “confusion.”
1Co 14:34-35 Let 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. And 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.
This is a figure of speech, although it does appear as though women get a bad rap sometimes for talking too much. But men do too. The notion here is that members of the assembly should not be gossiping or chattering away during the meeting, which is distracting behavior, plus they cannot be paying attention while they are having private conversations.
Note that many women were Bible teachers in the early churches, and Paul spoke very highly of them. So perhaps in that case their husbands should be quiet during the meeting, and if they have any questions, let them ask their wives when they get home. The important point here is that everyone should pay attention to the discussion and the teaching of the scriptures.
1Co 14:36-37 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? If 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.
Paul is admonishing the assembly to adhere to his teaching here, and to acknowledge that maintaining order and discipline is necessary during the assembly meetings.
1Co 14:38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
But don’t get into arguments. If someone is ignorant and doesn’t know the rules of proper decorum, it may be best to just be silent about it.
1Co 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
Desire to preach and teach. And permit speaking in foreign languages.
1Co 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
Maintain discipline and order in all activities of the assembly.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.