Abuses and Pitfalls of the Gift of Tongues in 1 Corinthians

The gift of tongues, as discussed in 1 Corinthians, is a charismatic gift that allows believers to speak in languages they have not learned ^[2]. However, the Corinthian church's exercise of this gift was marred by abuses and pitfalls. Paul addresses these issues in 1 Corinthians 14, where he provides guidance on the proper use of the gift.

One of the primary concerns Paul addresses is the lack of intelligibility in the Corinthian church's use of tongues. one tradition notes that speaking in tongues without interpretation is unprofitable to the hearers, as they cannot understand the message ^[2]. This is in contrast to prophecy, which is intelligible and beneficial to the church ^[4]. Paul emphasizes that the gift of tongues is primarily a sign for unbelievers, not believers, and that it is meant to be a sign of God's judgment or mercy ^[3].

The abuse of the gift of tongues in Corinth was likely due to a lack of order and decorum in their worship services. Paul exhorts the Corinthians to do everything in a decent and orderly manner, emphasizing that God is not a God of disorder ^[6]. He also instructs them to limit the number of people speaking in tongues during a service and to ensure that someone is present to interpret ^[2].

Various traditions have understood the gift of tongues and its abuses in different ways. Some, like the Reformed tradition represented by Calvin, view the gift of tongues as a miraculous ability to speak foreign languages, which was primarily used for evangelism and the spread of the gospel ^[5]. Others, like the Catholic tradition, have understood the gift of tongues as a charismatic gift that is still operative today, although its manifestation may differ from the apostolic era ^[7].

The early church fathers also grappled with the issue of the gift of tongues. Augustine, for example, compared the gift of tongues to an imaginary vision, suggesting that it was a supernatural gift that allowed believers to speak in languages they had not learned ^[8]. The patristic understanding of the gift of tongues is not uniform, however, and different fathers offered varying interpretations.

In the context of 1 Corinthians 14, Paul's discussion of the gift of tongues is closely tied to his broader discussion of spiritual gifts and the importance of love in the exercise of these gifts. As one tradition notes in 1 Corinthians 13, even the most extraordinary gifts, including tongues, are nothing without love ^[1]. The proper exercise of the gift of tongues, therefore, requires a deep commitment to love and edification within the church.

The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, an Anglican confessional document, reflects a concern for intelligibility in worship, stating that public prayer and the administration of sacraments should be in a language understood by the people ^[9]. This concern is echoed in Paul's instructions in 1 Corinthians 14.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church notes the importance of reason in coming to know God, but also acknowledges the difficulties that humans face in this endeavor ^[10]. While not directly addressing the gift of tongues, this discussion highlights the complexities of understanding God's work in the world.

Sources

I Corinthians “I Corinthians 13:1 (YLT) — If with the tongues of men and of messengers I speak, and have not love, I have become brass sounding, or a cymbal tinkling;”
1 Corinthians “But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with other languages, what would I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching? -- 1 Corinthians 14:6”
1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 14:21: In this passage the apostle pursues the argument, and reasons from other topics; as, I. Tongues, as the Corinthians used them, were rather a token of judgment from God than mercy to any people (Co1 14:21): In the law (that is, the Old Testament) it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak to this people; and yet for all this they will not hear me, saith the Lord, Isa 28:11. Compare Deu 28:46, Deu 28:49. To both these passages, it is thought, the apostle refers. Both are delivered by way of threatening, and one is supposed to interp”
1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 14:2: 14:2-4 The problem with the gift of speaking in tongues is that hearers cannot readily understand the message; the gift of prophecy, however, is immediately intelligible and beneficial as a word from God that strengthens . . . encourages . . . and comforts those who hear.”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 16.17: they shall be totally deprived of the benefit of saving doctrine, and shall perceive in it nothing but an empty sound. In short, he concludes, from what goes before, that since they had not profited by the word of God, the Jews shall be justly punished for their ingratitude; not that the word shall be taken from them, but that they shall be deprived of sound judgment and understanding, and shall be blind amidst the clearest light. Thus God blinds and hardens the reprobate more and more on account of their disobedience. Paul quotes this passa”
1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 14 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO 1 CORINTHIANS 14 In this chapter the apostle discourses concerning the use of spiritual gifts, and prefers prophesying, or preaching, to every other gift; and directs to the order and manner of using it, and also points at the persons who should exercise it; and whereas there was much confusion and disorder in this church, in the management of the affairs of it, the chapter is concluded with a general exhortation to do everything in a decent and orderly manner. The apostle begins with an exhortation to follow after charity, which ”
theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of the Grace of Tongues, Art. 2: Article: Whether the gift of tongues is more excellent than the grace of prophecy? I answer that, The gift of prophecy surpasses the gift of tongues, in three ways. First, because the gift of tongues regards the utterance of certain words, which signify an intelligible truth, and this again is signified by the phantasms which appear in an imaginary vision; wherefore Augustine compares (Gen. ad lit. xii, 8) the gift of tongues to an imaginary vision. On the other hand, it has been stat”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 1: Augustine — Confessions, Letters — CHAP. II.--AS HIS LUNGS WERE AFFECTED, HE MEDITATES WITHDRAWING HIMSELF FROM PUBLIC FAVOUR. (part 1): 2. And it seemed good to me, as before Thee, not tumultuously to snatch away, but gently to withdraw the service of my tongue from the talker's trade; that the young, who thought not on Thy law, nor on Thy peace, but on mendacious follies and forensic strifes, might no longer purchase at my mouth equipments for their vehemence. And opportunely there wanted but a few days unto the Vacation of the Vintage;9 and I determined to endure them, in order”
Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican) “Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican, 1571), Section 259: It is a thing plainly repugnant to the Word of God, and the custom of the Primitive Church, to have publick Prayer in the Church, or to minister the Sacraments in a tongue not understanded of the people.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church (Catholic) “Catechism of the Catholic Church, CHAPTER ONE (part 4): the image of God".12 37 In the historical conditions in which he finds himself, however, man experiences many difficulties in coming to know God by the light of reason alone: Though human reason is, strictly speaking, truly capable by its own natural power and light of attaining to a true and certain knowledge of the one personal God, who watches over and controls the world by his providence, and of the natural law written in our hearts by the Creator; yet there are many obstacles which prevent reason from the effective and fruitful use o”

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