Expert: Joe Norman - 1/21/2012

Question
1Cor.14 Is the gift of tongues unintelligible utterances?

Answer
There is no indication anywhere in the New Testament that the gift of tongues was "unintelligible utterances." It was the miraculous ability to speak and be heard in languages the speaker was not taught. Let's look at the first record of it in Acts 2.

Acts 2:1-12
1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians--we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God." 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?"

This passage should make it very very clear in proving speaking in "unknown tongues" was literally speaking KNOWN languages but not KNOWN as in never learned. Notice they asked...are not all Galileans? Galileans were known to be not well educated. The main purpose of this gift of tongues was to make it easier to spread the gospel prior to the completion of the New Testament. Those who had this gift were told by Paul that if there was no one who could interpret the tongues for those who couldn't speak that language they should remain silent. What people claim to be "speaking in tongues" today is just jibberish and intended to make people think they are more closely linked to God - super Christians - and such a thing is not something ever intended by God.

1 Cor.14:27,28
27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.

I do hope that my answer has been helpful to you. God bless!

In Christian Love, Joe Norman