What Was the Gift of Tongues?

No, it wouldn’t. Note the following factors:

1. The term “unknown” is not in the original text. It was added by the King James translators. It is unwarranted and unnecessary.
2. The nature of the “tongues,” alluded to in this chapter, must be the same as those defined earlier in the New Testament (i.e., human languages; cf. Acts 2:4-11). There is no compelling reason for assigning a different meaning to the expression in 1 Corinthians 14.
3. Unless we understand the contextual background of this statement (1 Corinthians 14:2), we will not be able to interpret this passage correctly. We must examine the chapter as a whole.

Background Context of 1 Corinthians 14

Some in the Corinthian church were abusing the spiritual gifts they possessed. There was simultaneous chattering, creating confusion (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:26-33).

In addition, some were exercising their gift of tongues before audiences that spoke a different language, without the use of the corresponding gift of interpretation (1 Corinthians 12:10).

It is, therefore, in this light that the apostle’s admonition is given.

In an expanded paraphrase, we may summarize Paul’s instruction in 1 Corinthians 14:2 as follows:

For he who speaks in a foreign language [when no interpreter is present], is not speaking [meaningfully] to men, but [only] unto God; for no man [in the audience who is of an alien language] understands [what is being said]; he [the speaker] is speaking mysteries [that which the listener cannot comprehend by virtue of the language barrier], even though he speaks in the spirit.

This harmonizes beautifully with the context and does not force a bizarre meaning onto the term “tongues.”

When we consider all the factors in this chapter, careful students are compelled to conclude that the languages contemplated in this section of Scripture are normal human languages. The gift of tongues enabled those who had not learned the languages naturally to speak them supernaturally, empowered by the Spirit of God.

Those early saints were required to exercise their gifts within the bounds of divine propriety, and this is the thrust of the apostle’s admonition.