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NASB | 1 Corinthians 14:2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 14:2 For one who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to people but to God; for no one understands him or catches his meaning, but by the Spirit he speaks mysteries [secret truths, hidden things]. |
Subject: How do you interpret this verse? |
Bible Note: If we read this passage in context we read that to pray in tongues edifies oneself, how when there is an interpreter? No for if there is an interpreter the whole church is edified, therefor the type of speaking in tongues here that edifies oneself is the type that prays to himself and to God. Or if there be no interpreter let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Now if a man is speaking to God, it is not a pagan ritual and if a man is speaking to God it is indeed edifying to himself. To edify yourself by praying is not a sin but a necessity for christian growth and strength. To edify ones self is not mentioned here as something he should not do but simply a statement of fact. To speak to God in tongues silently (not literaly silent as if in thought only but silent as in not loudly as if you would have the floor and want all people to be quiet a moment and listen to you which would be the opposite of a private communion, howbeit, the "silent" speaking between you and God may and would most likely be audible as I know no other way a saint in Acts could have "spoken in tongues"), therefore to speak silently in tongues between you and God is an edifying experience for you and this is a positive thing, and of course one needs such edifying spiritual exercises such as prayer and fastings, singing to "himself" in songs and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in his heart to the Lord (which in the case of singing to himself has nothing to do with public church singing to edify the body of Christ either, and yet we are encouraged to do so as a means of being filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:15) Paul lets us know in I Corinthians that to pray only to ourselves and to God though it does indeed edify ourselves which we need, this does not edify the body in the public fellowship therefore he does not say, "so quit praying in tongues and strike it from your Bibles" No he says, pray that you may interpret, so that you can give forth the interpretation of the Holy Spirit inspired tongue that the whole church may hear your interpretation and be edified. Not that the tongue or the interpretation is to be handled as the written Word in respect to inspiration but understanding that the gift is working through us by faith and we are getting across to the Body Scripturally based truths from the heart of God that are relative to that Local assembly for that moment. A word in season if you will. Sometimes the body of Christ needs a specific word of edification as it relates to their own issues and God is faithful to do this if we are open to let Him. |