The Gifts:

Interpretation of Tongues

Wednesday Evening Bible Study

March 22, 2000

Introduction

We wind up our series on the gifts of the Holy Spirit by looking at the gift of "Interpretation of Tongues".

A gift of the Holy Spirit is a special ability given to a believer by the Holy Spirit.

It is not a natural born talent, like music is for some people. A person may indeed be "gifted" in music, but it is not part of our list of gifts imparted by the Holy Spirit.

It is not some kind of earned "merit badge" for good Christians. It is a form of "grace". One of the Greek word for "gifts" is charismata, or, "workings of grace".

The purpose of the gifts in the church is to build up the church.

Interpretation of Tongues

(1 Cor 12:10 KJV) … to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

tongues – glossa – the tongue, a member of the body, an organ of speech; a tongue; the language or dialect used by a particular people distinct from that of other nations

interpretation – hermeneia – interpretation; of what has been spoken more or less obscurely by others. The noun form of this word is only found twice in the New Testament (here and in 1Cor. 14:26). The verb form is used four times (John 1:38, 42; John 9:27; Heb. 7:2).

Heb 7:1-2 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

Two things are happening here. First, the writer is translating the words. Melchizedek means "King of righteousness" and the name of the city, Salem, means "peace", hence the "King of peace". But there’s a reason why the writer is giving the translations, because he is wanting to give his readers additional understanding as to who this mysterious person was.

We get our word "hermeneutics" from this word. Hermeneutics is the art and science of Biblical interpretation. It involves taking a passage and bringing out the meaning. It’s what I do for a living. It’s not just translation, it’s bringing understanding to the text.

Definition: Giving the understanding of an utterance in tongues.

The length of the utterance in tongues does not have to correlate with the length of the interpretation. Sometimes the utterance is short and the interpretation is long. Sometimes the utterance is long and the interpretation simply sums it all up with a short message.

Biblical examples

One of the difficult things about this gift is that we don’t have any specific examples of its use found in Scripture. We do not have any instances in the New Testament where someone gave an utterance in tongues and someone else then repeated it. But we do have some instructions given in 1Corinthians 14 regarding tongues and their interpretation.

The closest thing in the New Testament to seeing interpretation is:

(Acts 2:1-11 KJV) And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. {2} And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. {3} And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. {4} And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. {5} And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. {6} Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. {7} And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? {8} And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? {9} Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, {10} Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, {11} Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

All of these Jews who were from these various parts of the world could hear their distinct languages being spoken. They were able to understand what was spoken, but not because there was individual interpretation being given. They understood because the tongues were their own native languages.

Illustration

Pastor Chuck told a story of an incident thirty years ago when he was conducting a Sunday evening service. This was in the late 60’s and there were perhaps 40-50 at the evening service. It was Pentecost Sunday and Chuck thought it would be appropriate is one of the gals in the church used her tongue to give God praise. Chuck knew that this gal’s gift was in speaking French, even though she didn’t know French, neither did she know what she was saying when she spoke. Chuck said that he knew a little bit of French and was a little reluctant to speak up about the interpretation because he wasn’t sure if he’d be using his own mind, or the leading of the Holy Spirit. But his wife, Kay, spoke up and gave the interpretation. After the service, a gal who had been visiting came forward and asked what the French stuff was all about. It turned out that she had lived in France for a number of years and was able to understand the original tongue, as well as knew that Kay had been giving an interpretation. She understood not because Kay had interpreted, but because she actually knew the language that was being spoken. The gal had not been a believer and ended up giving her heart to the Lord that night.

There is an Old Testament story that I think comes pretty close to the things we’re talking about here. The story takes place toward the end of Daniel’s life, as he had served the Babylonian kings for some seventy years. The great King Nebuchadnezzar had died, and Babylon was being ruled by his grandson, Belshazzar. The event takes place on the same night that Babylon was to be conquered by the Persians. The Babylonians didn’t have a clue what was happening, and were so confident in their city’s defenses, that they were having a huge party.

(Dan 5 KJV) Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. {2} Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein. {3} Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them. {4} They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.

This shows the heart of Belshazzar. He has no regard for God at all.

{5} In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. {6} Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.

Though the hand is disturbing enough, you’ll see that Belshazzar is equally disturbed by the fact that he doesn’t know what is being written on the wall. He recognizes it as some kind of language, but doesn’t know what it means. Though this is not specifically an example of "tongues", it’s very close in principal. God is going to use the hand and the unknown language to get Belshazzar’s attention, then use the interpretation to bring the message home.

{7} The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and show me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. {8} Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.

The words will be written in Aramaic, a language that the folks in the court of Belshazzar should understood. But for some reason, they are unable to make out the words. The letters may have been with an odd alphabet or just hard to make out.

{9} Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied.

Lesson

A message that isn’t understood isn’t of any value.

There’s a lesson here for those of us who speak in front of others (which really includes every one of us).

Illustration

A little girl and a little boy were at day care one day. The girl approaches the boy and says, "Hey Tommy, wanna play house?" He says, "Sure! What do you want me to do?" The girl replies, "I want you to communicate your thoughts." "Communicate my thoughts?" said a bewildered Tommy. "I have no idea what that means." The little girl smirks and says, "Perfect. You can be the husband."

Even if you understand what you’re trying to say, if the right connection isn’t made in the brain of the person who’s listening to you, your message is of no value.

With the gift of tongues, there is still value if you speak in a tongue and don’t receive an interpretation. You yourself are built up spiritually as you exercise your gift (1Cor. 14:4). But the problem is that within the church, no one else is built up unless there is interpretation. That’s why Paul tells the Corinthians that if there is no interpretation, that they should still speak in tongues, but just quietly to themselves and God (1Cor. 14:28).

For those of us who try to regularly communicate in English, whether you are teaching, or even if it’s just through conversation, we need to work hard at making sure that our message is understood.

{10} Now the queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed: {11} There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers;

This is probably the "Queen Mother", and she’s telling Belshazzar about Daniel. Note that she says that in Daniel is the "spirit of the holy gods". I believe this is a pagan’s way of saying that she recognizes that the Holy Spirit is in Daniel.

{12} Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and showing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation. {13} Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry? {14} I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee. {15} And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not show the interpretation of the thing: {16} And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom. {17} Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation. {18} O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour: {19} And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down. {20} But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: {21} And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will. {22} And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; {23} But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:

Pretty gutsy stuff coming from an old 90 year old man, talking to a brash, rude, young king who could easily order the old man’s death. I’m wondering if Daniel already has been made aware of the content of the words on the wall and is delivering this as a kind of prelude to the real message.

Lesson

Care enough to speak up.

It’s not always an easy thing, but if we’re struggling with someone, it may very well be that God would have us speak up and say something to them.

(2 Tim 2:24-26 NASB) And the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, {25} with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, {26} and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

Don’t get me wrong here. Some people feel as if they’re called to "get in everybody’s face". That’s not what we’re talking about. I’m talking about having the love for the other person to speak up and tell them that they’re going the wrong way. It is not good to be going to other people and telling them about how wrong this person is, it’s always best to go directly to that other person first.

If you were in another person’s car, and they were talking to you while they were driving, and they weren’t paying any attention to where they were going, would you let them know if they were about to drive off a cliff?

{24} Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written. {25} And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.

Again, the language was one which they all understood. But they not only had difficulty making the words out (vs.8), once they made out the words they wouldn’t know what the understanding was.

{26} This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. {27} TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. {28} PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. {29} Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. {30} In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. {31} And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.

Here’s the tie in with the "interpretation of tongues". Daniel isn’t just giving a simple translation. He’s giving meaning, interpretation to the message.

Each word carries two different meanings. Each word has it’s own meaning, but each word also is the name of a monetary value.

To the person in the room looking at this, it might have looked as if a series of monetary values were being written on the wall.

Mene (or, mina) is 50 shekels.

Tekel is the shekel

+ Upharsin is the half-shekel

Totaling 101 ½ shekels.

But each word also has an original meaning of itself, and if simply translated, the sentence would read, "Number (mene), number, weighed (tekel), divided (upharsin)"

But if you look carefully again at what Daniel tells Belshazzar, he’s added to just what would be a translation. He’s given interpretation. He’s given some conclusions. The phrases "is finished", "found wanting" and "given to the Medes and Persians" aren’t a part of the text, they are interpretation.

The person addressed by a tongue

Unlike the message to Belshazzar, the content of an utterance in tongues is not addressed to a human individual. The object of the tongue is always God.

(1 Cor 14:2 KJV) 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.

In other words, the message that is being spoken will not be addressed to people, but will be something that is addressed to God, such as prayer or praise.

We see this on the day of Pentecost:

(Acts 2:11 KJV) …we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

The believers were praising God in front of these visitors from around the world.

As we mentioned last week, tongues are a good way to pray and a good way to praise.

Implication:

The Pentecostal churches have a tradition they call "messages in tongues" where a person will speak out in tongues, and an English message is then given by the person who is supposedly interpreting, a message that will be addressed to the church like, "Listen to me O my children…"

This is not a proper interpretation.

God doesn’t speak to us in a language we don’t understand.

He speaks to us in our own language. Even Belshazzar was spoken to in a language he understood, he just didn’t understand the message.

This isn’t to say that what is being spoken after the tongue is not from the Lord. It may be that the person is actually giving a prophecy, but one unrelated to the tongue.

If a person speaks in a tongue and you start getting a message that’s addressed to the church, hold off for the interpretation, then you can give your prophecy.

How Chuck described it’s working

How does the gift work?

Understand that gifts can work in different ways with different people.

(1 Cor 12:4-6 NASB) Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. {5} And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. {6} And there are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.

Pastor Chuck has a gift of interpretation, and he says that the way it works for him is that as he’ll be hearing the tongue being spoken, it’s as if he’s receiving the English version of the message right on top of it. But if you have this gift, it may work differently in your life.

Giving the gift a chance

I’d like for us to give more opportunity for this gift to work.

We’ve had a couple of times when someone has been bold and brave enough to speak out in tongues. Once there was no interpretation. Another time there seemed to be a couple of interpretations, which paralleled each other.

Some people have expressed a reluctance to speak out in tongues because they’re not sure if the gift of interpretation is present. And Scripture says to keep silent if there is no interpreter.

I think we have to be a little practical here. How are we ever going to know if there is a gift of interpretation present if we never give it a chance to operate? I think in our small setting on Wednesday nights, we have the perfect opportunity to give these things a chance to work.

How do I know if the interpretation is correct?

Just as with prophecy, we need to test things.

Is the interpretation addressed to God?

Is it consistent with Scripture?

Does it "bear witness" to those with the gift of discernment?

Rules for tongues

We’ll look at some of the various rules concerning tongues and interpretation in the church on Sunday night as we look in detail at 1Corinthians 14.