1 Corinthians 14:26-30 Tongues & Interpretations

 

 26: How is it then brethren when you come together every one of you has a psalm hath a teaching has a tongue has a revelation has an interpretation Let all things be done unto edifying 27: If any speak [in unknown] tongues let it be by two or at the most by three and by course  but let [only] one interpret [1] 28: And if there be no interpreter let them keep silence in Ekklesia and let them speak to themselves and to God 29: Let the prophets speak two or three and let the others judge 30: If anything be revealed to another that sits by let the first hold their peace [2]

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[1] 1 Corinthians 14:27 gives protocol for the gifts of tongues and interpretation in gatherings of the Out-Called. The Holy Spirit may give more than one person the same message in tongues, but that doesn’t mean they all must speak it. Once any given message in tongues has been spoken by three people without being interpreted, it is time to be silent and wait for the tongues to be interpreted. In gatherings of believers, tongues should always be spoken along with prayer for interpretation. As long as the tongues are being interpreted, there are no limits on how many manifestations of tongues and interpretations can be given in a gathering.

[2] All the gifts of the Holy Spirit are supernatural, with God initiating the manifestation of his gifts. But it is entirely up to believers whether or not they allow God to use them in the spiritual gifts. 

Regarding the gift of tongues, the speaker must judge whether it is time to withhold the tongue [glossa] and allow an interpreter to speak. This, is what is meant by the phrase, “The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.” 

Regarding the audible gifts of tongues and interpretation, the scriptures instruct believers in the proper execution of these gifts in public assemblies.  During gatherings of believers, the Holy Spirit may give more than one believer a prophetic message in tongues. The person giving the message in tongues, may or may not be given the interpretation. God may give five or ten believers the same message in tongues, but that does not mean everything single one must be brought forth. The scriptures are clear, after two or three [of the same] message spoken consecutively [in tongues], it must then be interpreted, or the remainder of believers [who were given that tongue] must remain silent. The same goes for interpretation of tongues. God may give more than one person the interpretation, but only one is to give it. 

This does not mean that the Holy Spirit is restricted to only two or three separate messages in tongues and interpretations in a single meeting—only that believers have a limit on how many times they will bring forth a single message before it is interpreted.

This is an excerpt from The Hungry Hearts Bible Commentary edited by this author.