Spiritual gifts
The Spiritual Gift of Tongues
Prayerful speech that should be handled with order
The gift of tongues is Spirit-enabled speech in a language the speaker hasn't learned, described in Acts and 1 Corinthians. Paul says tongues in church must be interpreted and kept in order. Christians hold different convictions about whether the gift continues today.
“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”
What it is
At Pentecost, visitors to Jerusalem from many nations heard the disciples "declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues" (Acts 2:11). Later, believers in Caesarea and Ephesus also spoke in tongues when they received the Spirit (Acts 10:46; Acts 19:6).
In 1 Corinthians, "speaking in various tongues" appears among the Spirit's gifts (1 Corinthians 12:10). Paul describes it as speech to God that others can't understand without interpretation (1 Corinthians 14:2), and he thanked God that he spoke in tongues himself (1 Corinthians 14:18).
Where Scripture shows it
For a gathering, Paul wrote that "two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret" (1 Corinthians 14:27). He also said that in church he would "rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue" (1 Corinthians 14:19).
What it can look like
- In churches that practice this gift, a believer may pray in tongues privately (1 Corinthians 14:28).
- In a service, each message in tongues is interpreted.
- Leaders keep order, and nobody is pressured to speak in tongues.
- Speaking in tongues isn't treated as the mark of a better Christian.
What to watch for
- Confusing visitors. Paul warned that outsiders would say "you are out of your minds" (1 Corinthians 14:23).
- Treating tongues as proof of maturity. The Corinthians lacked no spiritual gift (1 Corinthians 1:7), and Paul still called them "infants in Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:1).
- Looking down on Christians who don't speak in tongues, or on those who do.
Ways to serve with it
- Talk with your pastor before using this gift in public.
- Paul urges believers to "excel in gifts that build up the church" (1 Corinthians 14:12), so ask how yours can.
- If you speak in tongues, pray that you may interpret (1 Corinthians 14:13).
- Treat Christians with different convictions about this gift as brothers and sisters.
Related gifts
Holy habits that fit this gift
These practices can help you steward this gift over time.
Frequently asked questions
Is speaking in tongues for today?
Christians disagree. Continuationists believe the gift continues, pointing to Paul's words "do not forbid speaking in tongues" (1 Corinthians 14:39). Cessationists believe tongues were a sign for the apostolic era, and many point to Hebrews 2:3-4. Both agree tongues should never cause disorder or division.
Are tongues real languages?
At Pentecost, listeners heard their own native languages (Acts 2:6-8). In Corinth, no one understood without an interpreter (1 Corinthians 14:2). Christians differ on whether all tongues are human languages, partly because Paul mentions "the tongues of men and of angels" (1 Corinthians 13:1).
Does every Christian speak in tongues?
Paul asks, "Do all speak in tongues?" (1 Corinthians 12:30), expecting the answer no. Many Pentecostal Christians apply that question to the public gift, which they distinguish from tongues as the sign of Spirit baptism. Every Christian has the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9), whether or not they speak in tongues.
Take the free Spiritual Gifts Test
Answer questions about how you like to serve, and see which gifts your answers point toward. It takes about 6-7 minutes, and no email is required.
Start the testAbout the Bearing Fruit App
Bearing Fruit is a free Christian habit app for prayer, Scripture, rest, and more. Start with one practice. Missing a day never erases your progress.
Get a short letter about once a month
A devotional, one practice to try, and what's new. Unsubscribe anytime.