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Tongues at Corinth: Languages not Ecstasies!
Posted by Lev/Christopher on November 4, 2008 at 11:21am in Tongues
The Character of the Corinthian Tongues
Paraphrase of I Corinthians 12:8-30
Chrysostom on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 12:8-30
Calvin and Hodge on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 12:8-30
Barnes on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 12:8-30
Paraphrase on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 13:1
Chrysostom, Hodge and Barnes on 'tongues' in I Cor. 13:1
Paraphrase on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 13:8f
Paraphrase on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:2-5
Chrysostom on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:2-5
Calvin on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:2-5
Hodge on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:2-5
Barnes on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:1-5
Paraphrase on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:6-9
Calvin and Hodge on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:6-9
Barnes on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:6-9
Paraphrase on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:10-12
Chrysostom and Calvin on 'tongues' in I Cor. 14:10-12
Hodge on 'tongues' in I Cor. 14:10-12
Barnes on 'tongues' in I Cor. 14:10-12
Paraphrase of I Corinthians 14:13-14
(Neo-)Pentecostal Misinterpretation of I Corinthians 14:13-14
Oral Roberts's misinterpretation of I Cor. 14:13-14
(Neo-)Pentecostals DeVilliers & Cockburn misuse I Cor. 14:15
Results of (Neo-)Pentecostal abuse of I Cor. 14:13-14
Classic-Pentecostal misuse of I Cor. 14:13-14 untenable
Neo-Pentecostalistic misuse of I Cor. 14:13-14 untenable
Refutation of (Neo-)Pentecostal misuse of I Cor. 14:13
Refutation of (Neo-)Pentecostal misuse of I Cor. 14:14
Calvin on I Corinthians 14:13
Hodge on I Corinthians 14:13
Barnes on I Corinthians 14:13
What I Corinthians 14:14 really means
Calvin on the word 'tongue' in I Cor. 14:14
Calvin on the word 'unfruitful' in I Cor. 14:14
Calvin on the word 'understanding' in I Cor. 14:14
Calvin: I Cor. 14:14 opposes Papist Latin!
Westminster on the word 'tongue' in I Cor. 14:14
Hodge on 'praying in a tongue' in I Cor. 14:14
Hodge on the words 'my spirit' in I Cor. 14:14
Hodge on the word 'unfruitful' in I Cor. 14:14
Barnes on 'my spirit' and 'my understanding' in I Cor. 14:14
Paraphrase of I Corinthians 14:15
Chrysostom on I Corinthians 14:15
Calvin on 'pray[ing] in the spirit' in I Cor. 14:15a
Barnes on 'pray[ing] in the spirit' in I Cor. 14:15a
Hodge on 'understanding' in I Cor. 14:15b
Calvin on 'sing[ing] in the spirit' in I Cor. 14:15c
Barnes on 'sing[ing] in the spirit' in I Cor. 14:15c
Paraphrase of I Corinthians 14:16-17
I Cor. 14:17 -- the language-speaker "gives thanks well"
Chrysostom on 'tongues' in I Cor. 14:16-17
Calvin on 'tongues' in I Cor. 14:16-17
Calvin's Institutes on I Corinthians 14:16-17
Hodge on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:16-17
Barnes on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:16-17
Paraphrase of I Corinthians 14:18-20
Calvin on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:18
Barnes on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:18
Hodge on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:19
Barnes on I Corinthians 14:19-20
Paraphrase of I Corinthians 14:21-22
Scripture on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:21
Calvin on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:21-22
Hodge on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:21-22
Barnes on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:21
Judisch on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:21
Barnes on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:22
Paraphrase of I Corinthians 14:23-25
Barnes on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:23
Conclusion
TONGUES AT CORINTH: LANGUAGES NOT ECSTASIES!
by Dr. N. Lee
The Character of the Corinthian Tongues
Scripture itself suggests that these Corinthian tongues -- just like those on Pentecost Sunday -- were not incommunicable ecstatic utterances. They were clearly linguistic -- that is, spoken in translatable and recognised human languages. Compare I Cor. 14:21f and Isa. 28:11f with Acts 2:4-11. As Dr. W.B. Godby rightly observes in his Commentary, cosmopolitan ancient Corinth was "really a mammoth mongrel of all nationalities."
The international ancient trading city of Corinth had a very unusual location -- on the slender isthmus in Central Greece, between the two much larger land-masses of Northern Greece and Southern Greece, and also between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas to the west and the Aegean Sea to the east. Corinth's location there was thus similar to that of Panama City in the new world --on the thin waist of Central America, between the two great continents of North America and South America, and also between the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.
In the international trading centre of Panama City today, at least twenty different languages are regularly spoken. So too in ancient Corinth. There, none of those various foreign languages was to be spoken during worship in the Corinthian Church --unless translated. If so used, those foreign languages were always to be translated into the Corinthian dialect -- so that all present could understand the message concerned.
According to the earliest extant comments -- those of the 185 A.D. Irenaeus and the 190f A.D. Clement of Alexandria -- the Corinthians tongues were clearly linguistic (and therefore not ecstatic). So too Origen, Eusebius, Athanasius, Gregory of Nazianze, Gregory of Nyssa, Basil, Hilary, Jerome, Chrysostom, Epiphanius, Augustine, Theodoret, Vincent, Leo, and Gregory the Great. Likewise Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, and John Calvin. So too Matthew Henry, Lange, Plumptre, Meyer, Alford, Buswell, E.J. Young, Morton H. Smith, Robert Reymond, Richard Gaffin, Leonard Coppes, and Francis Nigel Lee. Indeed, even some (Neo-)Pentecostalists themselves -- such as Harald Bredesen, Carl Brumback, Howard Carter, David J. DuPlessis, Donald Gee, Harold Horton and Oral Roberts -- also concede this point.
The Protestant Reformation's John Calvin was quite the greatest of all post-apostolic Presbyterians. States Calvin, in the introductory Theme of his Commentary on First Corinthians: "It is well-known that Corinth was a rich and a famous city of Achaia.... It was near the Aegean Sea on one side, and the Ionian Sea on the other, and...on the isthmus linking Attica and the Peloponnesus."
Situated on the Grecian isthmus in perhaps the greatest international trading centre of the ancient world, Corinth -- continues Calvin -- was a truly multilingual citadel of "bombastic language" and "chattering speechmakers." Yet the Christian congregation there "had gone wrong in the use of spiritual gifts." Many demeaned the most excellent gift of prophecy, and "thought that tongues were more valuable." So Paul "condemns the fault of holding forth noisily in unknown tongues" -- alias languages unknown to the listeners.
Certainly there was some miraculous language-speaking occurring in the Apostolic Church, and perhaps also at Corinth --until the completion of Scripture (probably around 70 A.D.). On the other hand, in those days too, even the Apostles themselves sometimes needed interpreters. I Cor. 14:5,27-28. For even the multilingual Paul (and Barnabas) apparently did not understand the Lycaonian dialect. Acts 14:11-14. Indeed, Peter too apparently sometimes used Mark as his interpreter. I Pet. 5:13 (cf. Eusebius's Hist. Eccl. III:39:15).
Upon the inscripturation of the last book of the Bible, God's special revelation terminated. This means that all miracles --which had indeed always been focussed toward and upon the completion of Holy Writ! -- had then served their purpose. Thenceforth and until Christ's Second Coming, "those former ways of God's revealing His will unto His people" are "now ceased!" Thus the Westminster Confession of Faith 1:1f --doctrinal standard of Presbyterian and Reformed Churches worldwide.
Holy Writ was then completed. Now, "the whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary...is either expressly set down in Scripture or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture." Thus, to completed Scripture -- "nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit or traditions of men." Westminster Confession 1:6m.
The Westminster Confession (21:1b) later warns that God "may not be worshipped according to the imaginations and devices of men or the suggestions of Satan." The Confession further insists (1:8u) that the word 'tongues' -- in I Cor. 14:6,9,11,12,24,27,28 -- uniformly refers to popular vernacular alias "the vulgar language of every nation. Indeed, it also insists (21:3m) that the command not to 'pray in an unknown tongue' -- in I Cor. 14:14 -- requires Christians who utter "vocal" or audible prayer, to do so only "in a known tongue."
Rev. Dr. Albert Barnes, former pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, states in the Introduction to his famous Commentary on First Corinthians: "The merchandise of Italy, Sicily and the western nations "was landed at Lechaeum on the west; and the islands of the Aegean Sea, of Asia Minor, and of the Phoenicians and other oriental nations at Cenchrea on the east. The city of Corinth thus became the mart of Asia and Europe....
"Its population and its wealth was thus increased by the influx of foreigners.... Public prostitutes...were supported chiefly by foreigners.... Individuals -- in order to ensure success in their undertakings -- vowed to present to Venus a certain numbers of courtesans, which they obtained by sending to distant countries [for shipment to Corinth]... Foreign merchants were attracted in this way to Corinth."
Paraphrase of I Corinthians 12:8-30
Paul made it clear in I Cor. 12:8-30 that not all but only some Christians had the gift of (lingual or multilingual) tongues. Indeed, even the gift of speaking in tongues was quite distinct from the different gift of interpreting tongues.
Explained Paul: "To one is given by the Spirit...diversities of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the selfsame Spirit keeps on working all of these, distributing to each his own -- as He [the Spirit] wills.... God has set some in the church...[to exercise] diversities of tongues.... Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?" No! I Cor. 12:8-11,28-30.
Chrysostom on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 12:8-30
The exegesis of the Early Church Fathers is faithfully reflected by the great theologian John Chrysostom. Around 400 A.D. and in his relevant Homilies, he wrote what is probably the earliest extant commentary on Paul's Epistles to the Corinthians.
Explains Chrysostom: "One person knew what he spake himself, but was unable to interpret to another. While another had acquired both these [gifts], or the other of the two."
To Chrysostom, the language-speakers at Corinth knew exactly what they were talking about! Yet even so: "Do you not see where He [God] has set this gift, and how He everywhere assigns it the last rank?" I Cor. 12:10,11,28,30.
Calvin and Hodge on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 12:8-30
Comments Calvin (on I Cor. 12:10): "The 'interpretation of tongues' was different from the 'knowledge of tongues.' For those who had the latter gift, often did not know the language of the people with whom they had to have dealings. Interpreters translated the foreign languages into the native speech."
The learned Presbyterian Rev. Prof. Dr. Charles Hodge, sometime Professor of Systematic Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey, wrote in his excellent commentary on First Corinthians that 'kinds of tongues' in I Cor. 12:8-10 means "the ability to speak in languages.... What was spoken with tongues, was intelligible to those who understood foreign languages....
"What was uttered, were articulate sounds -- the vehicle of prayer, praise and thanksgiving. I Cor. 14:14-17.... They were edifying, and therefore intelligible to him who uttered them. I Cor. 14:4,16.... They admitted of being interpreted, which supposes them to be intelligible..... Though intelligible in themselves and to the speaker, they were unintelligible to others...not acquainted with the language used" -- unless translated for them. "The folly which Paul rebuked -- was speaking in Arabic to men who understood only Greek!"
The gift of interpretation was distinct from that of speaking with tongues.... The word gloossai ('tongues') must here mean languages.... Greek was the language of educated persons throughout the Roman empire, but it had not superseded the national languages in common life.... The gift of tongues, however, was not the ability to speak all languages. Probably most of those who received the gift, could speak only in one or two....
"The man using a foreign language, was able to understand it. See 14:2,4,16." Thus, he also "may have had the gift of interpretation in [close]
connection with the gift of tongues." Yet even though he would "understand the language which he used, he needed [another] distinct gift to make him the organ of the Spirit in its interpretation." Naturally, if speaking with tongues were to have been "speaking incoherently in ecstasy -- it is hard to see how what was said, could admit of interpretation! Unless coherent, it was [or rather would have been] irrational. And, if irrational -- it could not be translated!"
Finally, observes Hodge, the gift of 'diversities of tongues' refers to "persons having the gift of speaking in foreign languages. This is put last [I Cor. 12:28-30] -- probably because it was so unduly valued and so ostentatiously displayed by the Corinthians."
Barnes on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 12:8-30
In commenting on I Cor. 12:10, Barnes distinguished "the power of speaking various languages" from "the power of interpreting foreign languages -- or of interpreting the language which might be used by the 'prophets' in their communications.... This was evidently a faculty different from the power of speaking a foreign language....
"In an assembly made up of those who spoke different languages, a part might have understood what was uttered" -- but the rest, not. So, "it was needful that an interpreter should explain it.... Some had the talent of speaking different languages, or of interpreting.... Others had not!"
Paraphrase on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 13:1
Paul next explained the necessity of using the various gifts (such as those of tongues) -- lovingly, alias considerately. Remarked Paul: 'Although I were to speak with the tongues of men and even of angels -- if I do not have love, I have become echoing brass or a noisy cymbal!' (Our own word 'noisy' here translates alalazoon, 'to keep on ringing out' -- to keep on uttering the war-cry 'alala'!)
Here, Paul was not claiming that there are indeed 'angelic languages' -- still less, even if there were, that he or any other human being had spoken or could speak in such tongues. Indeed, Paul was not even claiming to have spoken in all the 'tongues of men' alias every human language.
It is true Paul knew more languages than any multilinguist among the Corinthians -- and possibly more than all of them put together (I Cor. 14:18). Yet we know that -- though an accomplished multilinguist (Acts 21:40f) -- there were some languages he apparently did not know (Acts 14:11-14).
Chrysostom, Hodge and Barnes on 'tongues' in I Cor. 13:1
The 'tongues of men' here, comments Chrysostom, means those "of all nations in every part of the world.... He did not mention 'tongues' -- but 'the tongues of all mankind.'"
Hodge comments: "'The tongues of men' are the languages which men speak.... The gift of tongues was the gift of speaking foreign languages..., 'all languages human.'"
Barnes comments that this means: "Though I should be able to speak all the languages which are spoken by men. To speak foreign languages was regarded then, as it is now, as a rare and valuable endowment.... Among the Corinthians, the power of speaking a foreign language was regarded as a signally valuable endowment."
Paraphrase on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 13:8f
Paul then went on to remind the Corinthians that love or considerateness will abide forever -- long after tongues in general (and apparently the various miraculous language-gifts in particular) -- would cease! 'Love never fails [or falls down].... But tongues shall cease' of their own accord. 'For...when maturity comes, then what is incomplete shall be done away with' -- or put itself out of gear.
We are not in this article out to prove that the various miraculous gifts (such as those of miraculous healings and miraculous tongues-speakings etc) would disappear during the apostolic age, upon the completion of the inscripturation of Holy Writ. However -- this is indeed the stated position of Augustine II, Luther, Calvin, the Westminster theologians, Owen, Voetius, Chas. & A.A. Hodge, Edwards, Godet, Shedd, Warfield, Kuyper, Hughes and Lee.
Nor will we here argue that I Cor. 13:10's "what is perfect" is the completion of Scripture, around A.D. 70 -- by which time I Cor. 13:8's miraculous gifts of "tongues" etc. would therefore "cease." This has been so argued by Edwards, Dabney, Jamieson, Fausset, Brown, Pink, Reymond, Unger, Du Toit, Gaffin, Judisch and Budgen. Indeed, we ourselves have so argued -- in our own work thereon, called Miracles -- What and When?, Brisbane, 1985, especially pp 35-40.
Here, however, we are concerned simply with the need to translate all foreign languages spoken in the congregation. This translating was needed in the past -- even when those languages were sometimes spoken miraculously! Similar translation is still needed at the present -- wherever foreign tongues might (non-miraculously) be spoken during public worship or public prayer meetings.
Paraphrase on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:2-5
Declared Paul: 'He who keeps on speaking in a tongue [viz. a language], is not speaking to men but to God [and to himself]. For nobody [else] understands him, even though in spirit he is speaking hidden things (musteeria).... He who keeps on speaking in a language, edifies himself.... I would that you all spoke in languages, but rather that you prophesied. For greater is he who prophesies, than he who speaks in languages --except he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.'
Note here that these 'mysterious things' are not hidden to his own spirit (pneumati), but only to the spirits of other Christians. The word pneumati here means his own spirit, and not the Holy Spirit. For in this sentence --there is no 'Holy Spirit' [Hagiooi Pneumati]; no 'Spirit' [Pneumati]; nor even a definite article 'the' [or tooi] before this man's spirit [pneumati]!
The 'hidden things' are therefore mysteries -- but only so, to the foreign spirits of others who may be listening. For none of the language-speaker's listeners -- nobody (oudeis) --then understands him. Nobody -- unless his tongue-speakings are translated, for the listeners' benefit!
Quite different to such untranslated public language-speakings, however, are 'prophecies' or forthtellings of God's Word --whether spoken directly into the Corinthian dialect, or whether translated thereinto from some other language. On the character of prophecy, see my other article Revival Through Prophesying (Brisbane, 1990). Here, however, we would only establish that even untranslated language-speaking was very edifying to -- and therefore thoroughly understood by -- the language-speaker himself!
Chrysostom on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:2-5
Comments Chrysostom: "As in the time of building the tower [of Babel], the one tongue was divided into many -- so then" with this Corinthian language-speaking. "The many tongues frequently 'met' in one man [cf. I Cor. 14:18]....
"The same person used to discourse both in the Persian, and the Roman, and the Indian, and many other tongues.... The gift was called 'the gift of tongues' -- because he could...speak divers languages." Paul "is speaking of them who understand what they say -- understand it themselves!"
Calvin on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:2-5
Calvin comments: "The Corinthians were giving undue attention to the gift of tongues, because it was more showy. For it is the case that, when people hear somebody speaking in a foreign language, they are unusually moved to wonderment.... It means a foreign language.... 'Mysteries'...I interpret...as unintelligible, baffling, enigmatic sayings. As if Paul had written, 'Nobody understands a word he says'....
"In our own day...there is a crying need for the knowledge of tongues.... Since the Holy Spirit has bestowed undying honour on tongues..., it is easy to deduce what sort of spirit moves those critics who make strong attacks against the study of languages....
"Paul is referring to all languages...which were such a great help in proclaiming the Gospel among all the nations.... On the other hand..., present-day critics are condemning the languages from which the pure truth of Scripture is to be drawn....
"Do not, however, imagine that Paul is here allowing anybody to waste the time of the Church by muttering foreign words. For how ridiculous it would be to proclaim the same thing in many languages, when there is no need to do so!"
Hodge on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:2-5
Hodge comments: "If a man comes to me speaking a language which I cannot understand, no matter how polished or significant that language may be -- he is a barbarian to me, and I to him [I Cor. 14:] vs. 10-11.... He who had the gift of tongues, should pray for the gift of interpretation -- as without the latter gift, however devotional he might be, his prayers could not profit others [I Cor. 14:] vs. 13-14.... The gift of tongues...was the gift...of speaking in foreign languages.... The speaker with tongues was in a state of calm self-control. He could speak, or be silent [I Cor. 14:]14,28.... What he said was intelligible to himself, and could be interpreted to others....
"He who speaks with tongues, speaks not to men but to God.... 'No man understandeth' him...does not imply that the sounds uttered were in themselves unintelligible, so that no man living (unless inspired) could understand them.... The meaning is not that no man living, but no man present could understand. It is not the use of the gift of tongues that he censures, but the use of that gift when no one was present who understood the language employed....
"Mysteries mean divine truths...which God has revealed.... To make the word mean 'things not understood'...is contrary to the usage of the word.... The difficulty was in the language used, not in the absence of meaning.... The implication is that these tongues were foreign to the hearers.... Therefore it is said, 'no man understands him'....
"The prophet spoke in the native language of his hearers; the speaker with tongues, in a foreign language.... The speaker with tongues did not edify the church, because he was not understood. He did edify himself, because he understood himself! This verse, therefore, proves that the understanding was not in abeyance, and that the speaker was not in an ecstatic state....
"'That the church may receive edification'...proves that the contents of these discourses delivered in an unknown tongue, were edifying and therefore did not consists in...enigmas and dark sayings. This passage also proves that the gift of interpretation, although distinct from that of tongues, might be -- and doubtless often was -- possessed by the same person, and consequently that he understood what he said!"
Barnes on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:1-5
Comments Barnes: "It was necessary to correct an erroneous estimate which they [the Corinthians] had placed on the power of speaking foreign languages.... He [Paul] then proceeds to set forth the advantage of speaking in intelligible language.... Though Paul himself was more signally endowed than any of them, yet he prized far more highly the power of promoting the edification of the church, though he uttered but five words, if they were understood -- than all the power which he possessed of speaking foreign languages [I Cor. 14] ver. 18-19....
"They were not most earnestly and especially to desire to be able to speak foreign languages, or to work miracles. But they were to desire to be qualified to speak in a manner that would be edifying to the church. They would...highly prize the power...of speaking foreign languages.... [Yet] the ability to speak in a plain...manner so as to edify the church...was a more valuable endowment than...the power of speaking foreign languages....
"The faculty of speaking intelligibly, and to the edification of the church, is of more value than the power of speaking a foreign language.... He did not undervalue the power of speaking foreign languages when foreigners were present; or when they went to preach for foreigners. See [I Cor. 14] ver. 22... It was only when it was needless, when all present spoke one language, that he speaks of it as of comparatively little value."
Paraphrase on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:6-9
Continued Paul: 'If I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you -- except I shall speak to you either by revelation or by knowledge? ... Even lifeless things which give off sounds, whether pipe or organ, unless they give off a distinction in the sounds -- how shall what is piped or harped be known? For if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound -- who shall prepare himself to the battle? So likewise you, unless by the tongue you utter words easy to be understood -- how shall that which is being spoken, be known? For you shall be speaking into the air!'
Calvin and Hodge on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:6-9
Calvin comments: "Paul takes himself as an example.... He therefore asks them what use it would be to them if he were to employ strange languages when speaking to them.... Paul is speaking here about sounds which are products of a certain technical skill. As though he said -- 'A man cannot give life to a harp or flute, except by producing sounds which are adjusted in such a way that they can be picked out! How absurd then that actual men, endowed as they are with intelligence, should utter indistinguishable and unintelligible sounds!'"
Comments Hodge: "The obvious design of the illustration, is to show the uselessness of making sounds which are not understood.... The simple point of the analogy is that, as we cannot know what is piped or harped, or be benefited by it, unless we can discriminate the sounds emitted -- so we cannot be benefited by listening to one who speaks a language which we do not understand."
Barnes on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:6-9
Barnes comments: "If he [Paul] should come among them [the Corinthians] speaking foreign languages -- it could be of no use unless it were interpreted to them.... Paul had the power of speaking foreign languages [I Cor. 14] ver. 18. But he did not use this power for ostentation or display, but merely to communicate the gospel to those who did not understand his native tongue....
"Foreign tongues spoken in their assembly would be just as useless in regard to their duty, their comfort and edification --as would be the sound of a trumpet, [unless] when it gave one of the usual and intelligible sounds by which it was known what the soldiers were required to do. Just as we would say that the mere beating on a drum would be useless -- unless some tune was played by which it was known that the soldiers were summoned to the parade....
"To apply the case. If you use a foreign language -- how shall it be known what is said, or of what use will it be, unless it is made intelligible by interpretation? ... The practice of the papists accords with what the Apostle here condemns -- where worship is conducted in a language not understood by the people!"
Paraphrase on 'tongues' in I Corinthians 14:10-12
Declared Paul: 'There are, it may be, very many kinds of sounds in the world. But not one of them is without significance. Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the sound -- I would be a barbarian to him who keeps on speaking [in his own foreign language].
'And he who keeps on speaking [in a tongue foreign to me] --would be a barbarian to me. So too you. Inasamuch are you do keep on being zealous about spiritual gifts -- seek to excel, to the edification of the church!'
Chrysostom and Calvin on 'tongues' in I Cor. 14:10-12
Chrysostom comments that there were "so many tongues" in the Apostolic Church. He specifies further: "So many 'voices' of Scythians, Thracians, Romans, Persians, Moors, Indians, Egyptians, [and] innumerable other nations."
Calvin comments: "Our speech ought to be the reflection of our minds.... It is therefore pointless and absurd for a man to speak in a gathering of people, when the hearer understands not a word of what he says and cannot even catch the slightest inkling to show him what the speaker means. Paul is therefore quite right in regarding it as the height of absurdity that a man should prove to be a 'barbarian' to his audience, because he talks away in an unknown language....
"The Greeks, who looked upon themselves as the only people who were good speakers and had a refined language, called all the other peoples barbarians -- because of their rough and boorish way of speaking. But in fact, no matter how cultivated a language may be, even it can be described as 'barbarous' -- when nobody can understand it!"
Hodge on 'tongues' in I Cor. 14:10-12
Hodge comments: "'There are ever so many...languages in the world'.... The context...shows that the reference is to human speech. Therefore, the words genee phoonoon should be translated 'kinds of languages.' Gen. 1 & 11. And no one of them 'is without signification' -- i.e., inarticulate. The phrase is phoonee aphoonos -- 'a language which is no language' --that is, without significancy (which is the essence of a language)! The very point is that as all languages are significant, so the languages used by those who spoke with tongues were significant. The difficulty was not in the language used, but in the ignorance of the hearer....
"The sounds uttered, are significant.... The man does not make a mere senseless noise, but speaks a real language. Therefore, if I know not the meaning of the voice (i.e., the language) -- I shall stand in the relation of a foreigner to him, and he to me. Otherwise, it would not be so! If a man utters incoherent, inarticulate sounds which no man living could understand -- that would not make him a foreigner. It might prove him to be deranged, but not [to be] a stranger! The word barbarian means simply one of another country.... In this passage...barbarian means simply 'foreigner.' Comp. Rom. 1:14; Acts 28:24; Col. 3:11.
Barnes on 'tongues' in I Cor. 14:10-12
Comments Barnes: "Paul meant to indicate that there were perhaps, or might be, as many languages as the Jews supposed -- to wit, seventy [compare Genesis chapter ten. Calvin's successor] Beza and others suppose it means that there may be as many languages as there are nations of men. Bloomfield renders it, 'Let there be as many kinds of languages as you choose.' Macknight, 'There are, no doubt, as many kinds of languages in the world as ye speak'....
continued in Part 2
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Reply by Lev/Christopher on November 4, 2008 at 11:22am
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Reply by Lev/Christopher on November 4, 2008 at 11:22am
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