The term “speaking in tongues” straddles two different supernatural phenomena i.e. praying in tongues and preaching in tongues. 1 Corinthians 14 clearly describes and differentiates these two supernatural phenomena:
| Praying in tongues | Preaching in tongues |
| Used in prayer and directed to God: For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him… (14:2) For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. (14:14) | Used in preaching and directed to men: Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues… (14:6) |
| Meant to build up speaker: The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself… (14:4) | Meant to build up church: The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. (14:5) |
| Contents were not messages but mysteries: For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. (14:2) | Contents were messages and so must be interpreted: Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. (14:13) If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. (14:27) |
In 1 Corinthians 12.28-31, immediately after the rhetorical question about the gift of speaking in tongues is the rhetorical question about the gift of interpretation: And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher χαρίσματα [gifts].[1] In context therefore, the speaking in tongues in the passage is the gift of preaching in tongues which requires the gift of interpretation. Furthermore, it is obvious from the context that the gifts listed are not given to all believers. For special gifts not for all believers e.g. preaching in tongues, the Greek word used is χαρίσματα (karismata). On the other hand when Acts 2.38-39 records the giving of the Holy Spirit with the sign of speaking in tongues, the Greek word used for this gift is δωρεάν (dorea): And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the δωρεᾶς [gift] of the Holy Spirit.[2] The Greek word δωρεάν connotes a common gift for all believers and Romans 5.17 applies it to righteousness: For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free δωρεάν [gift] of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
[1] 1 Cor 12.1, 28-31.
[2] Acts 2.38-39.