Interpretation of tongues
In Christian theology, interpretation of tongues is one of the spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12. This gift is used in conjunction with that of the gift of tongues—the supernatural ability to speak in a language (tongue) unknown to the speaker. The gift of interpretation is the supernatural enablement to express in an intelligible language an utterance spoken in an unknown tongue. This is not learned but imparted by the Holy Spirit; therefore, it should not be confused with the acquired skill of language interpretation. While cessationist Christians believe this miraculous charism has ceased, Pentecostal and charismatic Christians believe this gift continues to operate within the church.[1]. The gift of the interpretation of tongues is exercised when someone speaks with the gift of tongues in a gathering of people or a church environment [2]. The purpose of interpretation of unknown tongues is so the congregation may understand the message given in an incomprehensible language or tongue [3]. An example of this type of interpretative methodology occurs in the Old Testament at Belshazzar's banquet when God wrote the words, "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin" on the wall of the banquet hall with a finger. Words unknown to the Babylonians, Daniel translated the words to mean, "Numbered, numbered, weighed and divided;" Daniel also interpreted the words to mean, "God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it, thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persian" [4]. Therefore, these words incomprehensible to man and written by God, then translated and interpreted by the Prophet Daniel prophetically announced the demise of the Babylonian kingdom in 538 BC when Darius of the Medes and the Persians overtook the Babylonian Empire. [5][6]
Biblical description
Much of what is known about this gift was recorded by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 14. In this passage, guidelines for the proper use of the gift of tongues were given. In order for the gift of tongues to be beneficial the edification of the church, such supernatural utterances were to be interpreted into the language of the gathered Christians. If no one among the gathered Christians possessed the gift of interpretation, then the gift of tongues was not to be publicly exercised. Those possessing the gift of tongues were encouraged to pray for the ability to interpret.[1]
See also
- Glossolalia ("speaking in tongues")
References
- ^ a b Guy P. Duffield and Nathaniel M. Van Cleave, Foundations of Pentecostal Theology, 1983, (Los Angeles: Foursquare Media, 2008), pp. 342-343.
- ^ 1 Corinthians 14:13, 27
- ^ 1 Corinthians 14:23
- ^ Daniel 5:26-28
- ^ Cambridge Bible Commentary, Understanding the Old Testament, Table of Dates, p. 98
- ^ Daniel 5:31
External links
- Study on 1 Corinthians 12
- The following video was recorded during a Sunday Prayer Meeting on 10th February,2008 in the city of Cochin, in the southern Indian state of Kerala. This prayer group functions under the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in India. Click on the following link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x_NmYZ1OCY
