The Tongues of Angels (Exaggeration)
 

1Co 13:1  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 

The Pentecostal Movement and the Charismatic Movement advocate speaking in tongues.
In fact in some Pentecostal circles, speaking in tongues is seen as the initial evidence, or an evidence of what they call The Baptism of or in the Holy Spirit.
Although, neither of these terms are found in scripture.
The correct term is The Baptism with the Holy Spirit.

Matt 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Also Luke 3:16. Mark 1:8. John 1:33. Acts 1:5.

It is true that the sign that the disciples had been baptised with the Holy Spirit, was indeed the ability to speak in other tongues, (languages), which was a sign of the power bestowed by the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

We also know that the gift of tongues continued in the church for some years following Pentecost.
As we see in the church in question, the Corinthian church.

However, we also know that the Apostle Paul told the churches that one day, tongues would cease to be manifest in the church.
We know from the history of the church that this did happen, along with the cessation of the interpretation of tongues. He also said that prophecies would fail and knowledge will vanish.

1 Cor 13: 8-10 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
 

This view, is called the “Cessationist” view, that is that the sign gifts were only in operation during the apostolic era to give special revelation until the completion of the New Testament, (meaning, the perfect, Greek, Teleios, meaning the mature, or complete.)

Before early Christians had the whole New Testament, they had to rely on words of knowledge, prophecy, and tongues to give them the full revelation of God. Once the church had possession of the full New Testament (the completeness, the mature word), these gifts faded away as unnecessary. Faith, hope, and love continue to be in operation.

However, most "Continuationists" (who hold to the current exercise of these gifts) do not view their revelations as being on par with Scripture but more like the “leading of the Spirit.” However, they are seen as revelations by the Holy Spirit.

No matter which view one takes, (and may I add that this is not the subject of this blog), the Corinthian church were abusing the gift of tongues and this is what caused the Apostle Paul to write this part of his letter to the Corinthians and this is the focus of this blog.

In the church at Corinth, the gifts of the Holy Spirit had become a bone of contention, in that they were being used as one upmanship.
They had become a sign of spiritual maturity. I.e. If one spoke in tongues more than another, then he or she must be more spiritually mature.
It appears that the gifts had become more important than other Christian virtues, such as love, charity, humility etc.
Of course this part of Paul’s letter was written to try to make them see that this was wrong.

Paul uses hyperbole to stress the point. He exaggerates to prove a point.

KJV 1Co 13:1  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels

The English Standard Version translates it:
ESV. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, 

As does the NSAB, the Berean Bible, the ASV and the Amplified Bible.

Paul was using hyperbole here, he was not saying that he did speak in angelic tongues but even if he could, and did not manifest love, then it would be just making a load of noise.

To prove the point, the Apostle goes on to continue his hyperbole.

1Co 13:2  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 

1Co 13:3  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 

Paul applies this same point to anything he may do.
Even if he understood all mysteries, which he didn’t.
Even if he had the faith to move mountains, which he never did.
Give all his goods to feed the poor, which he didn’t and give his body to be burned, which again did not happen.
Then it would all mean nothing, if he did not have love.
 

For someone to claim that they are speaking in tongues of angels, carries no scriptural support.
Tongues were real in the early church. Tongues were for a sign. They were never meant to be used in a battle of spiritual maturity.

Tongues were real languages and not gibberish, unintelligible sounds, or even tongues of angels.

To claim that one is speaking in heavenly languages when the things they are saying are not understood, again has no scriptural support.
 

What then is Paul referring to in 1 Cor 14: I will pray with the spirit.
 

1Co 14:14  For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 

1Co 14:15  What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 

The word for spirit in these verses is Pneuma.
Pneuma, "air in motion, breath, wind"

I will pray with my breath, my spirit, my soul and I will pray with my understanding also.

Paul is not condemning the use of the gift of tongues, he is condemning the abuse of them.
Tongues had their place in the body but they should be used in the correct manner.

Everything must be done in love, not in competition.
No matter what I do, if it is not out of love, then it is nothing. One is just making a load of unnecessary noise.

1 Cor 13:1b  and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 

 

 

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