The gift of tongues

One of the "envies" that many Christians, including I, have felt at times is that of someone else who has received the gift of tongues. No matter that it is the last and maybe the least of gifts of the Spirit that Paul lists in his letter to the Corinthian church (I Corinthians 12:28). It is nonetheless one of the most compelling and telling gifts, as if it provides evidence of the Spirit working in you. All the Apostles and the others who were praying together in the Upper Room of Mark on the day of Pentecost received this gift (Acts 2:4), which was the first manifestation of the Holy Spirit working in them. When Cornelius and his household received God's words delivered by Peter, they too received the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues (Acts 10:45-46). Even though Paul asks rhetorically "Do all speak in tongues?" (I Corinthians 12:30), many Christians who have not received this gift cannot help wondering "why not me?"

But what is the big deal about this gift of tongue?

Paul wrote that he spoke in tongues more than others (I Corinthians 14:18) and implied that there might be tongues of men and tongues of angels (I Corinthians 13:1). There certainly seem to be multiple kinds of tongues.

The gift of tongues in Acts 2 was not the same kind as the gift of tongues that Paul refers to in I Corinthias 12 or 14. In Acts 2, Apostles who spoke in tongues were not only intelligible, but also were understood to be speaking in the native tongues of many peoples from many nations -- 15 listed in Acts (Acts 2:4-11). This was a reversal of what happened at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11). In the plain in Shinar, people were building a tower to reach the heavens in rebellion against God and were scattered so that they could not conspire against God. In Jerusalem after Pentecost, on the other hand, the Holy Spirit was bringing His people back together through the Apostles speaking in tongues that were intelligible to all, so that they may now repent and be reconciled with God.

What happened in Acts 2 has not been (recorded to be) replicated ever since. Whether tongues of men or of angels, it seems that one who speaks in tongues is generally unintelligible, because he "utters mysteries with his spirit" (I Corinthians 14:2). In fact, in praying in tongues, he edifies his spirit, but his mind "is unfruitful" (I Corinthians 14:14). That is, the words are unintelligible even to himself, unless he receives the gift of interpretation, which he should pray for (I Corinthians 14:13).

Why then is this unintelligible utterance a gift of the Holy Spirit? Why is the Spirit pleased to hand out the gift to some/many of the Christians? (I Corinthians 12:11). The gift of tongues certainly has benefits. In praying in tongues, one speaks to God and utters mysteries to his spirit (I Corinthians 14:2). One gets to pray what God wants him to pray and thus according to His will. The "work" of praying becomes much easier and enjoyable. In the process, he edifies himself (I Corinthians 14:4) and, if there is interpretation, he can also edify the church (I Corinthians 14:5). Receiving the gift of tongues will aid in my own spiritual edification and growth and in my communication and fellowship with the Lord. For this reason, I need to feel no shame in "envying" for this gift and asking for it. Even Paul says that he "would like every one of you to speak in tongues" (I Corinthians 14:5). The gift of tongues, though the least of the gifts, is like the most basic of the gifts that I should seek. Then with interpretation added, I may get a glimpse of what the Lord has in mind, what He wills for me, what He cares about, ... Oh, what a wonderful gift! It is certainly a big deal!

Lord, I seek this gift of tongues. I want to be able to fellowship with you better. I want to pray in spirit in accordance with what Your Spirit wants me to pray. I also want to understand and interpret, so that I may praise and pray to you in spirit and in mind. Lord, grant it to me. Amen.