What Does Tongue Means In The Bible

By: Samuel Hollman, Moroni Channel
Pauls Valley Oklahoma, USA

A Better Understanding

What is Tongues, and what is the “correct” usage of Tongues? There are a few scriptures contained in the King James Version of the Bible.

In Acts 2:1-11 it explains mostly what it is and what Tongues is supposed to be

And when the day of the Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devouted men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilæans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medesm and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and Judæa, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphyllia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Lybia about Cyrene, and Strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

Then in 1 Corinthians 14:27-33 , it discusses what can be called rules, in certain terms.

If any man speak in an “unknown” tongue, let it be by two, or at most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret, But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If anything be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Finally, in 2 Timothy 1:7 , it can further stress upon how Tongues is to not confuse others but to help bring others to peace.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and a sound mind.

Though said by different doctrines of churches. Depending on the church, tongues can be classified as a spiritual gift (given with birth), a gift given by a priest, or a gift given through prayer.