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Gift of Tongues and Uncontrollable Prayer in Public Worship

The "gift of tongues" (Greek: glotta or glossa) refers to a miraculous ability to speak in languages previously unknown to the speaker [2]. This gift was notably manifested on the Day of Pentecost, fulfilling Christ's promise to his disciples (Acts 2:4; Mark 16:17) [1]. The New Testament uses the term glossa for the bodily organ of speech, for foreign words, and for "speech" or "language" in Hellenistic Greek [2]. The traditional understanding is that this gift involved a distinctly linguistic power [2]. Luke's account in Acts 2:9 indicates that those present at Pentecost heard the apostles speaking in their own native languages [1].

The Apostle Paul addresses the gift of tongues extensively in 1 Corinthians 14, particularly in the context of public worship. one tradition notes that if he prays in a tongue, his spirit prays, but his mind is unfruitful (1 Corinthians 14:14) [3, 6]. This suggests a form of prayer where the speaker's spirit is engaged, but their understanding is not [3, 6]. John Chrysostom, an early Church Father, interpreted this to mean that while the spirit prays, the understanding remains unfruitful, implying a need for interpretation for the benefit of others [8]. Paul emphasizes that the purpose of spiritual gifts, including tongues, is the edification of the Church (1 Corinthians 12:7; 14:12-13) [5].

Regarding public worship, Paul states, "Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may interpret" (1 Corinthians 14:13) [8, 10]. This instruction highlights the importance of intelligibility. If there is no interpreter, Paul advises the speaker to keep silent in church and speak only to themselves and to God (1 Corinthians 14:28). The problem with speaking in tongues without interpretation in public worship is that hearers cannot readily understand the message, whereas prophecy is immediately intelligible and beneficial for strengthening, encouraging, and comforting the audience [12].

Different traditions have interpreted the role of tongues in public worship. The Anglican Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion state that "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" [9]. This article underscores the necessity of understandable language in corporate worship. Adam Clarke, a Methodist commentator, suggests that the miraculous gift of tongues was primarily a sign for unbelievers, demonstrating God's work, rather than for the benefit of believers [11]. John Gill, a Baptist commentator, notes that a person might speak in an unknown tongue and understand it themselves, yet still need the gift of interpretation to translate it for others [10].

Prayer itself is defined as converse with God, an intercourse of the soul with God through direct address, which can be oral or mental [4]. It presupposes a belief in God's personality and willingness to interact [4]. The Bible describes prayer in various ways, such as "beseeching the Lord," "pouring out the soul," and "drawing near to God" [4, 7]. However, in the context of public worship, the emphasis on intelligibility for edification remains a key consideration for the use of tongues [12].

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Tongues, Gift of — Granted on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4), in fulfilment of a promise Christ had made to his disciples (Mark 16:17). What this gift actually was has been a subject of much discussion. Some have argued that it was merely an outward sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit among the disciples, typifying his manifold gifts, and showing that salvation was to be extended to all nations. But the words of Luke (Acts 2:9) clearly show that the various peoples in Jerusalem at the time of Pentecost did really hear themselves addressed in their own special la”
  2. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Tongues, Gift Of — I. glotta, or glossa, the word employed throughout the New Testament for the gift now under consideration, is used-- (1) for the bodily organ of speech; (2) for a foreign word imported and half-naturalized in Greek; (3) in Hellenistic Greek, for "speech" or "language." The received traditional view, which starts from the third meaning, and sees in the gift of tongues a distinctly linguistic power, is the more correct one. II. The chief passages from which we have to draw our conclusion as to the nature and purpose of the gift in question are-- + (Ma”
  3. 1 Corinthians “1 Corinthians 14:14 (NASB) — For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.”
  4. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Prayer — Is converse with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him. Prayer may be oral or mental, occasional or constant, ejaculatory or formal. It is a "beseeching the Lord" (Ex. 32:11); "pouring out the soul before the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:15); "praying and crying to heaven" (2 Chr. 32:20); "seeking unto God and making supplication" (Job 8:5); "drawing near to God" (Ps. 73:28); "bowing the knees" (Eph. 3:14). Prayer presupposes a belief in the personality of God, his ability and willingness to hold inter”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit — Foretold -- Isa 35:4-6; Joe 2:28,29. Of different kinds -- 1Co 12:4-6. Enumerated -- 1Co 12:8-10,28; 14:1. Christ was endued with -- Mt 12:28. Poured out on the day of Pentecost -- Ac 2:1-4. Communicated Upon the preaching of the gospel. -- Ac 10:44-46. By the laying on of the Apostles' hands. -- Ac 8:17,18; 19:6. For the confirmation of the gospel. -- Mr 16:20; Ac 14:3; Ro 15:19; Heb 2:4. For the edification of the Church. -- 1Co 12:7; 14:12,13. Dispensed according to his sovereign will -- 1Co 12:11. Were to be sought after -- 1”
  6. I Corinthians “I Corinthians 14:14 (BSB) — For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer — Commanded -- Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7; Php 4:6. To be offered To God. -- Ps 5:2; Mt 4:10. To Christ. -- Lu 23:42; Ac 7:59. To the Holy Spirit. -- 2Th 3:5. Through Christ. -- Eph 2:18; Heb 10:19. God hears -- Ps 10:17; 65:2. God answers -- Ps 99:6; Isa 58:9. Is described as Bowing the knees. -- Eph 3:14. Looking up. -- Ps 5:3. Lifting up the soul. -- Ps 25:1. Lifting up the heart. -- La 3:41. Pouring out the heart. -- Ps 62:8. Pouring out the soul. -- 1Sa 1:15. Calling upon the name of the Lord. -- Ge 12:8; Ps 116:4; Ac 22:16. Crying to God. -- Ps 27:7; 34:6. Drawing”
  8. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 & 2 Corinthians: abound in them, only so that ye handle them with a view to the common advantage. And how is this to be done? This he adds, saying, Ver. 13 . “Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may interpret.” Ver. 14 . “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.” Ver. 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.” Here he shows that it is in their power to obtain the gift. For, “”
  9. 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.”
  10. 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 14:13: Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue,.... The Hebrew, or any other, the gift of speaking with which is bestowed upon him: pray that he may interpret; that he may have also the gift of interpretation of tongues; for as has been before hinted, these two gifts were distinct; and a man might have the one, and not the other; a man might speak in an unknown tongue, so as to understand himself, what he said, and be edified, and yet not be capable of translating it at once into the common language of the people; and if he could not do this, he would ”
  11. 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 14:22: Wherefore tongues are for a sign - The miraculous gift of tongues was never designed for the benefit of those who have already believed, but for the instruction of unbelievers, that they might see from such a miracle that this is the work of God; and so embrace the Gospel. But as, in the times of the prophet, the strange Babylonish tongues came in the way of punishment, and not in the way of mercy; take heed that it be not the case now: that, by dwelling on the gift, ye forget the Giver; and what was designed for you as a blessing, may prove to you to be a c”
  12. 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.”
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