SUBJECT: 1 Corinthians 14:2 & 1 Corinthians 14:14  The Unknown Tongue

QUESTION:  What is the unknown tongue spoken of in these scriptures?

ANSWER:

First the verses:

1 Corinthians 14:2-4

2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

1 Corinthians 14:13-15

13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

Now the commentary:

1 Corinthians 13:8-13; 1 Corinthians 14:1-5
 

5) The Superiority of Prophecy, and the Public Worship of the Church. 14:1-36.

Apparently a major cause of the disorder in the church involved the misuse of the gift of tongues. The apostle deals with the matter in this chapter. He affirms the superiority of prophecy to tongues (vv. 1-25), then adds directions for the exercise of the gifts (vv. 26-33) and for the regulation of the participation of women in the assembly meeting (vv. 34-36). A resume and a conclusion follow (vv. 37-40).

No one who has investigated the nature of the gift of tongues would care to be dogmatic about the matter. The present exposition of this chapter follows the view that the gift of tongues was the ability to speak in known languages, not in ecstatic speech. (The AV's unknown is not found in the Greek text, which reads simply tongues, or tongue as the case may be.) Most modern commentators take the view that the gift involved ecstatic speech (cf. MNT, pp. 206-225; Morris, op. cit., pp. 172, 173, 190-198). There are some factors, however, which cast some doubt on the correctness of this interpretation. In the first place, it seems clear that the speaking in tongues recorded in Acts was in known languages (cf. Acts 2:4, 8, 11). In view of the fact that Luke was a close companion of Paul (he may even have been in Corinth) and wrote Acts after the Corinthian correspondence, it would seem logical for him to note the distinction between the phenomenon in Acts and that in Corinth, if any existed. In other words, 1 Corinthians should be interpreted by Acts, the unknown by the known, a good hermeneutical principle. Furthermore, the terminology of Paul is identical with that of Luke in Acts, although Luke further defines his terminology. Paul uses the Greek word glossa meaning tongue; Luke uses this word and further defines it as being a dialektos (Acts 1:19; 2:6, 8; 21:40; 22:2; 26:14), a word which in every case refers to a language of a nation or a region (cf. Arndt, p. 184). It is quite unlikely that the phenomena, described by the two writers in identical terms, would be dissimilar.

Finally, the intent of the gift was that it should be a sign to the Jews (1 Cor 14:21-22), as prophesied in the OT (cf. Isa 28:11), as well as a suggestion regarding the method of fulfilling the commission of Acts 1:8. At Pentecost there was inaugurated a work of the Spirit that would reverse the curse of Babel (cf. Gen 11:1-9), when there occurred the confusion of (known) tongues. Thus, there was a double edge in the conferring of the gift. It was a sign to provoke the Jews (in every case of the occurrence of the gift in Acts, Jews were present; cf. Acts 2:4 ff.; 8:17-18; 10:46; 19:6), and a signal of a work of God which would unite the redeemed under the banner of King Messiah in his coming kingdom. To introduce ecstatic language into the picture only serves to introduce confusion in more ways than one. Additional points in support of the thesis that the tongues were known languages are set forth in the exposition of the section.

1 Corinthians 14:1-5

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

Verse 1-5. The opening verse, which contains no connecting particle, is a reaffirmation of the content of 1 Corinthians 12:31 b - 13:13 with a view to transition. Follow after (lit., pursue) is stronger than desire. It appears from this statement that, while spiritual gifts are sovereignly bestowed, they are not necessarily granted in every case at conversion. Rather points to Paul's evaluation of prophecy in contrast to tongues. Speaking in tongues does not build up (vv. 2-5), does not benefit without interpretation (vv. 6-15); in fact, only befuddles (vv. 16-19). 2. An unknown tongue (lit., a tongue). The words for no man understandeth him refer to speaking in the tongue without an interpreter. 3-5. The apostle's evaluation is clear. Prophecy is greater than tongues except he interpret. In the case of interpretation, the speaking in tongues assumed practically the character of prophecy. (Is this why the two are often connected in Acts? Cf. Acts 10:46; 19:6.) ~from The Wycliffe Bible Commentary
 

Note:  We can see from the commentary what is being spoken of here.  The unknown tongue is any language in which those hearing it do not know the language.

Verse 5 makes it clear…

1 Corinthians 14:5-6

5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

Note:  Paul is saying that it is better to prophesy than to speak in an unknown tongue which has no edification for the people present.

Here is an excerpt from Mr. Herbert Armstrong’s booklet, “Is the Pentecost Experience Being Repeated Today?”…

Some "tongues" people, not rightly evaluating the importance of "tongues," seem to feel that the one who has his "tongues" and is doing nothing in the Lord's work, is greater, spiritually, than another who has not, yet is thoroughly yielded to God, and has been used of God in the ministry to bring many souls to Christ. But God's Word says, "Greater is he that prophesieth (preacheth) than he that speaketh with tongues," 1 Corinthians 14:5.

We should NOT seek tongues. Pentecostal people loudly protest they do not do this, but in practice and in fact, they do, and they should not deny it.

One of Satan's Clever Pitfalls

The reason for this caution is found in the Scripture, "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue EDIFIETH HIMSELF," I Corinthians 14:4. It is seeking for SELF -- for SELF blessings -- for SELF-thrills -- and is CONTRARY to fulfilling the law of God which is love AWAY from self and toward God and neighbor! And therefore it may easily degenerate into a most deceptive form of SIN.

One of the "fruits" of this "tongues" movement is that many seek nothing but "blessings," as they express it -- which in plain language means FEELINGS and THRILLS that they themselves ENJOY as a PLEASURE.

Jesus said, "that which is born of the flesh IS flesh," John 3:6. We must be BORN AGAIN -- born of the SPIRIT, to inherit eternal life. Now the flesh has its FEELINGS, its EMOTIONS, its five SENSES.

It is but natural that Satan's counterfeits are of the FLESH -- even his counterfeits of spiritual things. So Satan the Devil gives to people FEELINGS, and EMOTIONS, and THRILLS -- and induces many zealous seekers after the Holy Spirit to accept these pleasing sensations as "blessings" and "manifestations" of the Holy Spirit!

The saddest fruit of this whole "tongues" movement is that thru it Satan has beguiled many into continually lusting for SENSUAL FEELINGS, and for THRILLS of the FLESH deceiving them into believing they are receiving "blessings" from God!

Oh, WHY will so many honest souls be misled, and fall into this satanic snare? God's Word warns us to TRY the spirits,WHETHER they be of God! For many false SPIRITS are gone out into the world!

This is not to say there is no EXPERIENCE, or nothing felt, when God pours forth His blessed Holy Spirit. There is a definite EXPERIENCE to real genuine conversion. But what a tragedy to see so many deceived into receiving the FALSE experience -- the FALSE "blessing," -- because they have failed to heed God's warning to TRY the spirits -- because they fail to have on the WHOLE ARMOR of God's warning to TRY the spirits, which is THE WORD OF GOD!

God's way is the way of CRUCIFYING the flesh, the sensual -- of DENYING the SELF -- of LOVE toward God and toward fellow man. Satan's counterfeit is SELF-SEEKING, lusting for fleshly thrills, and feelings, and "blessings" that bring pleasure thru the five senses. And the greater pity is that the very ones most deceived are the ones who RESENT having the Scriptures opened to them to CORRECT them, to REPROVE, and to set them right! If you, dear reader, feel resentment of these words, it is the surest BIBLE EVIDENCE that you are under the deceptive power of Satan the Devil, and you should flee the influence he has over you, and drop to your knees at once, and ask God to renew a RIGHT spirit within you.

So many in this modern "tongues" movement do not seem to understand the real PURPOSE of receiving the Holy Spirit.
 

They look upon spiritual gifts as ornaments to decorate and embellish the PERSON. But the gifts of the Spirit are the tools placed in our hands to DO THE LORD'S WORK.

After Jesus had received the FULLNESS of the Holy Spirit, He said: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me BECAUSE He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind," etc., Luke 4:18.

The object and purpose of the Holy Spirit is not to give FEELINGS and THRILLS that are of the senses of the FLESH, and therefore SENSUAL -- not to please the SELF -- but to enable one to CRUCIFY the SELF -- to endow with power to overcome sin, which is transgressing of God's Commandments, 1 John 3:4 -- to CLEANSE us of all unrighteousness -- to impart to us GOD'S righteousness, so our light may shine and others may see Christ in us – to UNDERSTAND the Word of God, so we may know how to live by its every word -- to give us the FAITH of Jesus, making possible His righteousness -- to give us POWER to be kind, patient, gently, and of service, to others -- to preach the Gospel -- to heal the sick.  ---end---

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