The Gift of Interpretation of Tongues

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Primary Text

“… to another various kinds of [unknown] tongues, to another the ability to interpret [such] tongues.” 1 Corinthians 12v10 (AMP)

The gift of interpretation of tongues is “supernatural ability to interpret in the native tongue what is uttered in other languages not known by the one who interprets by the Spirit.” This gift can be complementary to the gift of tongues. While the gift of tongues is very beneficial as you speak to God, you are edified and strengthened (1 Corinthians 14v2&4), the ability to interpret enables the tongues to be humanly understandable, and thus be a source of edification to the church. 1 Corinthians 14 speaks about these gifts, as well as the ability to prophecy. Select verses are below:

Supplementary Text

“Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives – especially the ability to prophesy. For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious. But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church. I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you could all prophesy. For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened. Dear brothers and sisters, if I should come to you speaking in an unknown language, how would that help you? But if I bring you a revelation or some special knowledge or prophecy or teaching, that will be helpful…. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church. So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said. For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying. Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand. For if you praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don’t understand you praise God along with you? How can they join you in giving thanks when they don’t understand what you are saying? You will be giving thanks very well, but it won’t strengthen the people who hear you. I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you. But in a church meetings I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language… So, my dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking in tongues. But be sure that everything is done properly and in order. 1 Corinthians 14v1-6, 12-19 & 39-40 (NLT)

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word and the gifts that the Spirit gives. We pray for the ability to speak in diverse tongues and as well to interpret these tongues. Above all, we put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Be glorified in our lives our Lord and our God. We love You Jesus and look forward to Your coming. In Jesus name, amen.