A gracEmail subscriber who believes that miracles and supernatural spiritual gifts have ceased says he wishes he had "the gift of tongues" when he goes to other countries so he could preach without a translator. A different subscriber asks what is meant by the gift of "tongues."

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Paul refers in First Corinthians 13:1 to tongues (languages) of men and of angels. The gift of foreign human language is mentioned in Acts 2, apparently in Acts 10 and perhaps in Acts 19:6. However, nowhere in Scripture does God gives anyone the supernatural use of another human language to communicate the gospel message. At Pentecost, the pilgrims clearly hear the Galilean apostles talking in the languages of their respective homelands (Acts 2:5ff). However, that happens before Peter preaches the gospel and only serves to attract the crowd's attention (Acts 2:11). At Cornelius' house, the tongues come after the gospel is preached (Acts 10:45-46; 11:15-17).

The angelic tongues, as Paul calls them, seemingly refer to a different gift of tongues -- a supernatural prayer language which is usefully exercised in private but not in an assembly without a translation. This gift facilitates personal devotions with God and intercession for others, and it is an avenue for receiving spiritual strength (Jude 20). In 1 Corinthians chapter 14, Paul assures us that the person using this gift speaks mysteries to God (v. 1); edifies himself (v. 4); does what Paul wishes all believers did (v. 5); prays with the spirit but not the mind (v. 14); gives thanks "well enough" (v. 17) and does something which Paul is grateful to do more than his readers (v. 18).

Paul carefully regulates the use of these tongues in the assembly (1 Cor. 14:27-28). In the assembly, prophecy is to 2,000 times preferred over uninterpreted tongues (v. 19). Elsewhere Paul makes it plain that not all have this gift (1 Cor. 12:30), and that it will eventually cease when Jesus returns (1 Cor. 13:8). Until then, it is not to be forbidden (1 Cor.14:39) but rather earnestly desired (1 Cor. 14:1) and always exercised in a spirit of love (1 Cor. 13). This gift is not a mark of superior spirituality. Like other spiritual gifts entrusted to believers, the gifts of tongues are for the ultimate good of others. They are not a personal trophy to show off or about which to boast.

For more on the gifts of tongues, click here.