Interpretation of Tongues
GOD SPEAKS THROUGH INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES
The gift of interpretation of tongues gives understanding to an unknown language. This understanding is not necessarily a word for word translation. Interpretation edifies those who hears.
1 Cor 14:5 NKJV
I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
1 Cor 14:13-15 NKJV
Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
1 Cor 14:26-28 NKJV
How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.
The scripture says tongues is the language of men as well as angels. I have heard testimonies of people who have spoken in an unlearned language and those in the audience have recognized the language. A friend told me a story where a preacher in a foreign country just started speaking in tongues from the platform. Many wonderful conversions took place because even though he was just speaking in tongues to the Lord, they understood what he said. I have another friend who went to Africa and preached in tongues. Members of his worship and ministry teams understood the whole sermon in English. All were amazed.
I have been in prayer rooms where people are speaking in tongues and I can hear a phrase or two of what they spoke, through God’s still small voice in English. It happens simultaneously with one voice superimposed over the other.
At other times, the language may be one of angels and no one would recognize it unless through an interpretation.
1 Cor 13:1 NKJV
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels…
One time in a vision I saw a deliverance angel who was massive. He picked me up and moved me to a safe place. As he was picking me up, I heard him speak in his own angelic language. I could hear his deep, profound voice in his own tongue, but superimposed over his voice, I heard him speak the same words to me in English.
