The Essence of “Tongues”.

By: Modesto Garza Jr.

“And for me, that UTTERANCE may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the MYSTERY of the gospel,”

Ephesians 6:19 KJV

With obvious emphasis on the word “Utterance” and “mystery”, my thoughts turned to such verses as when Yahusha addresses Peter with a question;

“He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar–jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”

Matthew 16:15-17 KJV

Understanding that Yahusha is the son of YHWH is at the center and is the epitome of the Gospel, we see in this passage that understanding of the gospel cannot come from men (flesh and blood) but must be brought by the Holy Spirit; this is so if we acknowledge that the Gospel is essentially the identity of Yahusha (being the son of YHWH) and subsequently his New Covenant.

But for some reason even when spoken plainly, the majority do not understand Yahusha’s words and deep meaning; the following being two of many examples...

“Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. And they understood NONE of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.”

Luke 18:31-34 KJV

“Therefore speak I to them in PARABLES: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be CONVERTED, and I should heal them.”

Matthew 13:13-15 KJV

Secondly, we see this same phenomenon concerning Paul’s teaching;

“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be UNDERSTOOD, which they that are UNLEARNED and UNSTABLE wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”

2 Peter 3:15-16 KJV

Notice, in both situations, Yahusha and Paul, it does not say that an interpreter was needed so people could understand the new language, it simply says the people were not learned enough or it was somehow “hidden” from them. There is an aura of mystery in this not one of technicality concerning linguistics.

Let us compare to another often used area of scripture in regards to the gift of speaking in "tongues",

4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them.

5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven residing in Jerusalem. 6 When this sound occurred, a crowd gathered and was in confusion, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 Completely baffled, they said, “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that each one of us hears them in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and the province of Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own languages about the great deeds God has done!” 12 All were astounded and greatly confused, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”

Acts 2:4-12 (NET)

Now, there are some who regard this text concerning the gift of speaking in "tongues", that which Paul speaks more broadly about in other books, and some denominations who hold the view of "cessesationism" in which they claim the gift of "tongues" is no longer for us and was only in use for the initiation of the church. They use this verse to show that the miraculous act actually involved the act of one person speaking in one language and being able to communicate with another individual from another nation language with no effort. The goal being the initiation of a massive chain reaction of growth in the surrounding nations, as these believers would now be able to go back and continue the viral message of the “mystery” of the gospel.

However, I added this to deny that claim, because in my belief this account in Acts was a cyclical and prophetic reversal of the account of Babel, in which the people were divided by language and separated because of their unity in evil works, which was finally contrasted by the reunification of language at Pentecost for YHWH approved unity. In the much the same way, we see other cyclical facts, such as the number who were slain at Sinai, three thousand, and the number who were reconciled at Pentecost in the spirit, three thousand. So, to conclude that thought, I believe it is a mistake to include this miracle of speech occurring at pentecost with the "gift" of tongues that Paul speaks more on later, and which involves much more details, not to mention the glaring contradiction of "use"; (At pentecost "tongues" were used to make communication completely effortless, even across language barriers - yet as Paul describes in other areas of scripture, he goes in length about how one should not speak in tongues WITHOUT interpretation because of the confusion it causes; does this new type of tongues make communication harder?)

Now, Let’s try and get a better understanding of Paul’s position in his own words;

“For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

1 Corinthians 13:9-12 KJV

Here, keeping in line with the dichotomy, we can equate Paul's words as such, CHILD = NOW, and MAN = THEN. So, Paul is portraying the idea that now as children (immaturity) we do not see or understand as we ought to, yet as men (maturity) we then come "face to face" with what we ought to know and see, "even as Paul is seen and heard" at that very moment.

“But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.”

Philippians 1:22-26 KJV

Here, we see a curious passage, in which most say that Paul desired death or to die, yet I beg to differ, once again we see a dichotomy. Here Paul is juxtaposing the state of being in the "flesh" (lower) with the state of being in the presence of "jesus Christ" (higher spiritual). It is easy to understand Paul is saying that he benefits the congregation MORE by staying “low” in the "flesh"(flesh comprehends flesh; 1 Cor. 2:11), but this is where our confusion comes into play. The correct understanding is that the flesh is the lower state and the "departing" to be with Yahusha is the higher state. The confusion is that the plain understanding of this scripture makes as much sense as the Deep Sod because if the Sod is true, by logic so is the plain. And NOW we are touching on the REAL gift of tongues - the ability to speak “betwixted” the two realms of higher and lower, to bring the “mystery” into the realm of “flesh” to be heard, felt and reacted upon by FLESH through interpretation (settling truth by the witness of 2-3). (Romans 10:14)

the real gift of tongues that Paul goes in depth about, is the ability to understand heavenly things with enough discernment to "utter" them, or to make an "utterance". Paul is all but explaining the gift of tongues in this very passage, much like he does later in Ephesians and Corinthians. Paul desires to move into the heavenly things, those of which "it is not lawful to utter" (2 Cor. 12:4, for what “utterance” is also explained later by Paul as unlawful and should be done at home except with interpretation?) , yet if he were to do so, as we read further on, we see that it would be of no benefit to the congregation - they are in the flesh and will not understand the "mysteries" without interpretation (a witness of two or three others; Deut. 17:6, 2 Cor. 13:1, Deut. 19:15). And so this is the state of Paul “betwixt the state of lower flesh and the higher spiritual”.

Deuteronomy 19:15 

A single witness may not testify against another person for any trespass or sin that he commits. A matter may be legally established only on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Notice the same implications are applicable in the case of the use of gifts of "tongues". When one speaks in tongues, or even to prophecy plainly, there is a necessary state of "conviction" that all men, especially non believers, must forgo before they reach real edification. Furthermore, if they do not understand the message, they cannot become convicted, and finally become edified. This is why the use of at least two (2-3 including him gifted in tongues *1 Cor. 14:13) interpretations are necessary to hold weight as truth, in this method nonsense is weeded out and filtered through the congregation itself, and then true conviction comes, and finally edification and conversion. (This is why Paul goes on to say that non believers who witness a congregation speaking tongues without interpreters will think them to be “mad/crazy”, yet if they witness clear prophecy which convicts on its face, they will consider it by the congregations witness (at least 2-3) against them and as always the greater number of sensible individuals disagreeing with us gives us cause to doubt our own judgement; the two minds are better than one principle.

Now keeping the emphasized words in mind I would like to now direct attention towards the Apostle Paul, or more specifically, his teaching methods and the topic of speaking in “tongues”.

First, We are told by Paul himself (1 Cor. 14:18) that he “speaks in tongues” more than anyone and then we are told in Ephesians that he is in bonds;

“And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

Ephesians 6:19-20 KJV

Here, we see that Paul asks for this "utterance" which is the ability to make known this "mystery" of the Gospel, YET we also find out that Paul is bound by something. Could this mean that Paul is an ambassador of the Gospel "Mystery" yet bound by the language barrier of heavenly "tongues" and limited by the understanding of the "flesh"? Could this be the "thorn" in the side that Paul speaks of?

2 Corinthians 12:4

How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Lastly, I think that an overview of the following section of scripture would do well to bring my point home. I hope at least by now your getting a glimpse of the main thrust of my perspective on "tongues". The following verse set is 1 Corinthians 14:1-22;

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

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

I think in this section of scripture we are going to see a large juxtaposition between "Prophecy" and "tongues". Notice here that Paul did not say that speaking in tongues WITH interpretation is "understood by NO man", this would contradict his future instructions on tongues, but he specifically is laying the groundwork that speaking in tongues, meaning the higher understanding, discernment and vocalizing of heavenly things (such as the interpretation of DEEP scriptural meaning) will fly over the heads of the "flesh" who "do not have ears to hear". In this understanding do we now have reason to believe that Yahusha DID in fact speak in "tongues", in Parables and at times when he commanded those "with ears" to hear?

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

Here we see the difference of Spirit led higher revelation of scripture (tongues) and the plain spoken conviction of the work of the Prophet or the gift of Prophecy. both follow the same line of progression: Understanding/Edification, Conviction/Exhortation, and finally comfort.

However, in the case of tongues understanding cannot be reached without interpretation to those still in the lower state of "flesh", and once instructed by the witness of two or three others, conviction can be met and so on. This is why that even the speaker of tongues is to pray and ask that he gain the ability to “interpret/communicate” this message that was ONLY understood by the power of the Spirit working within him; therefore his communication of this edifying prophecy will not make sense to another unless he too is also moved of the Spirit to absorb heavenly wisdom.

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.

Here we realize the major difference between these two is the hurdle of "understanding" by those in the "flesh" or plain state of understanding. A non believer is always in the “flesh” and can not comprehend tongues without interpretation, nor can they understand prophecy (they have no aid from the Spirit). A believer can be both, in a lower state of flesh or a higher state of the Spirit (as Paul’s condition was), he will always be edified by plain prophecy yet he cannot benefit from tongues unless he is moved of the Spirit personally, as Peter was in order to know the true identity of Yahusha, or unless he is given interpretation/explanation by 2-3 others to receive conviction in considering the message. These are the only two ways we can absorb/interpret/understand heavenly wisdom.

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?

And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.

Notice, Paul does not say that these sounds become weird, warped, incoherent or foreign, he says they become "uncertain", that is to say confusing or without a "clear" statement; to “go or not to go to war.” Paul gives the example of a battle sound that doesn't sound right, will the soldiers still move to war? In much the same way, tongues is not a random babble sound unlike regular language, sentences and words, it is simply an arrangement of confusing concepts and truths that do not make sense to those who do not "have the ears to hear", they need help and sometimes simply conviction to keep moving forward in faith. The gift of "Tongues" is a personal understanding and discernment of heavenly truth, which is then spoken, some will grasp it but some will not be prepared or "have ears" to grasp it, it will take further interpretation (from the speaker of tongues or another member) and this is to build conviction, by the witness of two or three others, which will bring the individual into edification and so on at varying times.

There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

You can have all the wisdom of solomon and the key to a life of pure joy and peace, yet if you cannot communicate/interpret the meaning, or someone else cannot grasp it, it is worthless, even so if you yourself do not understand, it is even worthless to you. You appear as a lunatic and vice versa; the state of our society and christianity today! Much like those unsaved who pick up the bible for a moment and count it as myth or valueless nonsense, and this is YHWH's joy to have it this way.

Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

And here is another key, here we see that the speaker may also pray for his own understanding, he should pray for his own "epiphanies" and revelations so that he may interpret/communicate the higher heavenly things to those who are currently like he once was, "in flesh/child" This compounds Paul's statement of his position of being "in between/betwixt” the two realms of flesh/child and departed/maturity with Yahusha. Much like Paul, some of us have one foot in the flesh/as a child, our THORN, and one foot in the heavenly things/maturity of understanding of scripture, this frustration of speaking miraculous things into “dead” ears; there are some reading this who really understand what I am saying here.

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

Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

Again, Paul compounds the idea of reaching edification only through first understanding.

I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

We know that Paul urges us of the value of speaking in tongues, yet he reminds us that in the lower state of “flesh” we are able to communicate with ease to those who are in the lower mind of “flesh”. (*1 Corinthians 2:11) furthermore, he identifies that this unknown tongue is an organized language of separate non randomly spouted “words”. Which also are obtained by an understanding/intelligence outside of his own; this is to mean an “unknown” tongue or coming from an unfamiliar source outside of himself. (Of which needs interpretation/understanding to become useful to the flesh)

Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

So, by this prophecy, the Gift of Tongues was established and realizes the word of YHWH which was "uttered" prior by the Prophet. And so now, when a nonbeliever hears these "tongues" of heavenly wisdom and cannot understand it, this vindicates the Prophet. This then is a SIGN, as we will read, to them that do not comprehend the "tongues"; the unbelievers.

Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

1 Corinthians 14:1-22 KJV

Now, we begin to see also, the "Mystery of the Gospel", if we can recall that Yahusha told Peter that the Revelation of Him as the Son of YHWH was not from "FLESH" but was of the Holy Spirit - And we couple that with what Paul has just said here, we can see once again the difference between "Tongues" and "Prophecy". "Tongues" are a sign meant for those who DO NOT believe (Those unlike Peter - who knew the identity of Yahusha), and Prophecy is for those who DO believe (those who already have received the "Mystery" of the Gospel by the Spirit that Yahusha is the Son of YHWH.) This is to say that the "Mystery" is impossible to grasp or even be seen as valuable enough to pursue unless moved by the Holy Spirit. Yet, Prophecy is given directly to the Redeemed children of YHWH for their edification, comfort and peace in this life; looking towards the life to come.

To better explain, let's consult 1 Corinthians 2:8, "Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." 

In fact, the entire book of 1 Corinthians 2 can now be read in such a way that should edify the reader with a higher understanding of what exactly the gift of "tongues" is...

1 Corinthians 2 KJV

2 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, (skill or man's wisdom/flesh) declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. (Gospel Mystery revealed)

3 And I was with you in weakness (flesh/lower/for their benefit), and in fear, and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: (TONGUES)

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men (flesh), but in the power of God. (tongues/spirit/higher)

6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (prophecy or interpreted tongues that which brings edification to the congregation is out of reach to the unbeliever)

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, (if any man have ears to hear, let him hear) neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (our prize is hidden our wisdom is out of reach and ‘foolish’ to nonbelievers)

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit (mystery of Gospel - supernatural regeneration/acknowledgement of conviction): for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him (lower flesh understands/can interpret flesh)? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. (higher/heavenly)

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (gift of tongues/interpretation of heavenly principles and spiritual wisdom)

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. ( THIS IS DISCERNMENT AND UNDERSTANDING OF HIGHER TRUTHS THAT “flesh” CANNOT UNDERSTAND)

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (this is the sign to unbelievers)

15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. (1 Corinthians 14:24-25, the nonbeliever is judged by prophecy NOT the believer, the believer is comforted; so prophecy is FOR THE BELIEVERS COMFORT, but for the NON BELIEVERS CONVICTION at the same time.

16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ. (The ability to understand and speak it in tongues through the spirit and gift of tongues and prophecy)

Anyway, sorry if this went a bit too long, but I felt it took some unpacking, I want to make my stance clear, one of which I have not heard as of yet widely spoken about, and I wanted to pass it through a few other believers minds as filter to check me. to put it plainly, I believe that Speaking in tongues has been wrongly assumed to be either "done away with" (cessesationalism, equating it with the miracle of language at Pentecost) or it has been interpreted to mean a kind of babbling incoherent language that is pushed forward through emotion. However, in my research, I believe that scripture states to us, mainly through paul and with evidence in other places, that speaking in tongues is actually the deep “Sod” understanding of heavenly things of which we long for and ask of YHWH to reveal to us. In turn, these deep gifts of revelation of interpretation and prophecy come off as "hard lessons/teachings" and even as nonsense religious mysticism, and is unable to be understood by those, sometimes even believers, who are still lower distracted in the flesh and less aspiring for the heavenly things.

anyway, I'd appreciate any comments you might have on this topic. as always, i appreciate it. thank you.

-Modesto Garza