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THE K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
thing from speaking with tongues at Corinth. It is clear that speaking with other tongues at Pentecost meant that different languages were spoken or at least understood by those who heard. What “ Speaking With Tongues” Meant. Now, what was the experience in which people spoke only to God and did not themselves understand nor did others understand what they said? In Contrast With Prophesying. 1. It was an experience in contrast with prophesying. Prophesying meant speaking God’s message to the people, but speaking with tongues brought no message to any one. “ In the spirit he speaketh mysteries, but he that proph- esieth speaketh unto men to edification and exhortation and comfort.” (I Cor. 14:2, 3.), Can be Explained. 2. It was an experience which could be interpreted. The man who spoke with tongues could explain the phenomenon to o t h e r s . He could expound the experience. The word “ interpret,” used three times in CCor. 14, is the Greek word translated “ expound” an Luke 24:27. “ Beginning at Moses and all the prophets he ex pounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” This does not mean to translate but to ex plain the meaning of. Speaking with tongues could not be translated, •be cause no one understood the meaning of what was said. But there was some thing in dt which could be explained. And unless it be thus expounded, it is is like a pipe or harp giving forth sounds but no notes; like a trumpet blast that means nothing; like words in an unknown tongue which carry no ideas. (1 Cor. 14:6-11.) Not to be Sought. 3. The experience of speaking with tongues was not to be sought, because i; was an infeiior gift and the command is, “ Desire earnestly the best gifts;” yet it was not to be refused nor forbidden.
“ Seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church” (I Cor. 14:12). But no where are we told to seek the gift of tongues, because in that there is only self-edification. . Paul said, “ I would that ye all spake with tongues (for even self-edification is a good thing) but rather that ye prophesied, for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues except he inter pret (explain), that the church may re ceive edifying.” (I Cor. 14:5). “ Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue, pray that he may interpret (explain).” (I Cor. 14:13.) An Ecstatic, Emotional Experience. 4. Speaking with tongues at Corinth was an ecstatic rhapsodical experience which expressed emotions without thought. The heart was full of thanks giving, joy and rapture too great for expression in connected language, while it expressed itself in ejaculations, laughter, tears and shouts. And yet the one thus affected could, after the effusion, explain by giving the reasons for such expressions of joy and rapture; or even a friend who had had similar experiences could explain it for him. It was an experience which dealt solely with God in prayerful and praiseful worship, but it was not irrational, be cause there were good reasons for such ecstatic and exuberant joy. This rhap sodical feeling was a gift of the Spirit not to be despised but rather appre ciated, and the ability to interpret it to others was also a gift of the Spirit (I Cor. 12:28-30), but the Corinthians are warned aghinst undue attention to their ecstatic feelings and urged to seek rather the gift of prophecy which would edify others. Indeed, Paul insists thai “ the spirits of the prophets are subjeci to the prophets,” for “ God is 'not the author of confusion” (I Cor. 14:32, 33); so that this gift of ecstatic joy must be kept within bounds. “ Let all things be done unto edifying.” “ If any man speak in a tongue, let it be by
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