In the first two lessons of this series we examined the purpose of speaking in tongues and the limited duration of this spiritual gift.  Finally, we want to consider what rules for the use of this particular spiritual gift were put into place by God.  In this lesson, we will answer the question of what rules were to govern the use of the gift of tongue speaking.  Once again we will turn to Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians for an answer to our question about the rules for tongue speaking.

            Rule #1 – If one speaks in tongues and there is no one to interpret, he is only speaking to God (1 Cor. 14:2).  This is not to be desired in the worship assembly as the church is not edified by the tongue speaker (1 Cor. 14:3-5).  It does no benefit to others if I preach the greatest sermon in the world in Latin and no one can understand what has been said.

            Rule #2 – Tongues could be interpreted (1 Cor. 14:5).  This means that the tongue speaker does not speak some unknown gibberish, but a known language that could be interpreted by others.  Like a missionary to Africa who only can speak English, without one to interpret the message into Swahili, his words will be meaningless to the crowd.  This point is illustrated by Paul in the passage that follows (1 Cor. 14:6-12).  Notice here that Paul makes reference to the many languages of the world, which supports the fact that the tongues being discussed are known languages of the world.

            Rule #3 – Without an interpreter, speaking in tongues was useless (1 Cor. 14:13-19, 27).  Paul asks how anyone can say ‘Amen’ to our blessing if they cannot understand the words of our public prayer (1 Cor. 14:16).  Again, if I pray in Latin and no one can understand what is said, it does them no benefit and they have no opportunity to share in the blessing by being able to say ‘amen’ to the prayer.  We are told to sing and pray with understanding, so to do either without being understood by others does them no benefit.  Paul would rather speak 5 words that are understood than 10,000 words in a foreign tongue that are unknown to the listener (1 Cor.14:19).

            Rule #4 – All things in the worship service were to be done for the edification of the whole body (1 Cor. 14:26).  Once again, we have seen that speaking in a foreign tongue does nothing to edify the rest of the congregation who cannot understand what is said without an interpreter.  All things are to be ruled by the edification that is created for the hearers.

            Rule #5 – Tongue speakers were limited to 2 or 3 per service (1 Cor. 14:27).

            Rule #6 – Tongue speakers were to speak one at a time and not all at once (1 Cor. 14:27).  This comes back to the need for there to be an understanding of what has been said.  One cannot understand if everyone is speaking at the same time.

            Rule #7 – If there was no one to interpret the tongue, the speaker was to keep silent (1 Cor. 14:28).  This means that the tongue speaker had control over their gift.  They did not fall into some sort of a trance.   They were not forced to speak.  They fully had the option to keep silent if they were going to speak in Latin (or any other language that the listeners would not understand) and no one would be able to tell what had been spoken.

            In reviewing the purpose, duration, and rules for use with regards to the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues, we can draw a few conclusions.  First, the purpose of tongue speaking was to confirm the word.  Second, the duration of tongue speaking was limited until the completion of the New Testament writings.  Third, the rules for the use of tongues shows us that tongues were not unknown gibberish, but known languages of the world and there were at least 7 rules for the use of the spiritual gift of tongues.  This can be a difficult subject to understand, but by reviewing God’s holy word we can arrive at the truth of the matter.