The Gift of Interpretation of Tongues

The gift of interpretation of tongues stands as one of the most intriguing and often-misunderstood spiritual gifts described in Scripture. This supernatural ability enables believers to interpret messages spoken in unknown tongues in their native language to uplift and edify the Body of Christ.

We'll explore the biblical foundations, practical applications, and significance of this extraordinary gift. Whether you're sensing the Holy Spirit's prompting to interpret tongues or simply seeking to understand how this gift operates in today's Church, this comprehensive guide will help you grasp how the Holy Spirit works through an interpreted message in tongues to edify and strengthen the faith of believers today.

Essential Understanding: What is the Gift of Interpretation of Tongues? 

By Don Bell | ⏱️ 14 minute read

What is the gift of interpretation of tongues? Here's my definition of this companion gift to the gift of tongues:

The gift of interpretation of tongues is the God-given ability to bring in one's native language the sum and substance (gist) of a message that's been spoken in an unknown tongue, whether the unknown tongue was spoken by oneself or another person.

Six Misconceptions That Hinder the Interpretation of Tongues

It's important to understand what the gift of interpretation of tongues is not.

• It is NOT the ability to translate or interpret foreign languages.
• It is NOT premeditated, as it's born of the Holy Spirit.
• It is NOT a standalone gift, as it must follow the gift of speaking in tongues.
• It is NOT received by revelation; it's received as it's spoken.
• It is NOT equal to the gift of prophecy.
• It is NOT simply the "gift of interpretation"; it's "the interpretation of unknown tongues."

Clearing up misconceptions and gaining a good understanding of the gift of interpretation of tongues helps you to exercise the gift effectively.

By confidently delivering a message in an unknown language and then interpreting it in a known language, you can edify and uplift the Church. Those hearing the interpretation can come into agreement with the interpreted message and offer it as worship to God.

Interpretation of Tongues vs. Prophecy: What Scripture Reveals

Paul explains the difference between the gift of interpretation of tongues and the gift of prophecy:

While prophecy focuses on edifying the Church, the gift of speaking in tongues edifies the individual speaker. HOWEVER, in a congregational setting, when a message spoken in tongues is accompanied with its interpretation, it becomes a powerful tool for building up the Body of Christ.

Since the message in tongues is spoken to God, it follows that the interpreted message is also spoken to God, unlike a prophecy where God speaks to people.

The Supernatural Process: How the Gift of Interpretation of Tongues Operates

Interpreting an unknown tongue you've never heard before is a supernatural action of faith. It's NOT a learned skill as in interpreting a message in a known language.

Your spirit is receiving the interpretation under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit while bypassing the understanding of your mind. The interpretation is composed on your tongue and instantly spoken in your known language.

If you know what you're going to say beforehand, you are not bringing the interpretation supernaturally by faith. The interpretation cannot consist of something you've memorized or meditated upon. It must be 100% inspired by God.

Also, since an interpretation is not a revelation, you don't receive the entire interpretation at once. It's received line by line, phrase by phrase as it's formed on your tongue and spoken.

The following drawing illustrates my understanding of what occurs when you step out in faith and supernaturally speak the interpretation of a message brought in an unknown heavenly tongue.

When a believer speaks the interpretation of an unknown tongue, the Holy Spirit communicates with their spirit, which in turn instructs their brain to speak words of the interpretation in their known language, as the Holy Spirit supplies them.

The interpretation is one the person has never heard before, so their mind has no prior knowledge of the words being formed on their tongue. Similarly, listeners have never heard the interpretation before either.

Corporate Worship: Edifying the Body of Christ With Tongues and Interpretation

The gift of interpretation of tongues has the power to edify and inspire others when it's exercised among believers. Both the unknown tongue and its interpretation are inspired by the Holy Spirit. They serve to praise God for His greatness and love.

Hearing the heartfelt words of the interpretation can release people's burdens and strengthen their faith. It reminds them of God's unconditional love, and deepens their heartfelt commitment to live for Christ.

The phrasing of the interpreted message can sometimes resemble King David's Psalms, as the same Holy Spirit who inspired David's heart to write the Psalms now inspires the heart of the speaker of the tongue.

Let's look closely at 1 Corinthians 14 where Paul shares how the gifts of tongues and interpretation of tongues are used together to edify the Church.

Paul explains, "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" (1 Corinthians 14:26, emphasis added).

Paul encourages us that every believer can contribute meaningfully when the Church gathers. The Holy Spirit enables each of us to share — whether through a psalm, teaching, tongue, revelation, or interpretation — all working together to edify and strengthen the Body of Christ.

For instance, for the edification of everyone assembled, the Holy Spirit might prompt you to share a Psalm, a brief teaching, a word of revelation, or a tongue followed by its interpretation.

Paul reminds, "Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. … Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say 'Amen' at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified" (1 Corinthians 14:13,16–17).

By saying, "pray that he may interpret," Paul encourages those who speak in tongues to also be open to interpreting. This prayer is not for obtaining the gift of interpretation of tongues, as the believer has already spoken in tongues and by the same faith can interpret.

It suggests that you should pray privately in tongues beforehand to build up your faith (Jude 1:20). Then, when the Holy Spirit prompts you to deliver a message in an unknown tongue, the same faith that enables speaking in tongues can enable interpretation.

When the person who delivers a message in tongues is unaware of their obligation to interpret, or chooses not to interpret, the Holy Spirit will prompt another believer to give the interpretation.

Who can interpret an unknown tongue? Every Spirit-filled believer can exercise the gift when prompted by the Holy Spirit.

Private Worship: Edifying the Individual With Tongues Only

When praying privately in tongues, interpretation isn't necessary since this form of prayer builds your faith and facilitates direct communication with God. This direct spiritual communion is complete in itself, as your spirit communicates with God through the Holy Spirit, bypassing your natural understanding.

Speaking (praying) in tongues in private settings:

• Strengthens your faith (Jude 1:20)
• Develops your sensitivity to the Holy Spirit
• Builds confidence in exercising the gifts of the Holy Spirit

Your private prayer time in tongues is precious and complete as it is. Only use the gift of interpretation of tongues in congregational settings where it serves its intended purpose — edifying the Church by making known the message spoken in tongues to all present.

In other words: Private prayer in tongues is perfect communication with God that requires no interpretation, while public messages spoken in tongues require interpretation to fulfill their purpose of edifying the Church.

How to Interpret Tongues: Practical Steps

Here, we'll explore practical steps and biblical principles that will help you develop and exercise this supernatural ability with confidence and authenticity. This supernatural gift of the Holy Spirit when properly understood and practiced, becomes a powerful tool for encouraging and uplifting the Body of Christ.

Jude reminds, "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit" (Jude 1:20).

Start by praying privately in tongues to build up your faith beforehand. Then, when you are with the Church and sense the Holy Spirit prompting you to speak a message in an unknown tongue, you can promptly deliver it followed by its interpretation. The interpretation will flow from your mouth, and you'll know it's inspired by the Holy Spirit and not something you're making up.

True interpretation of tongues flows supernaturally through the Holy Spirit's inspiration, instead of from memorized verses or prepared material that might sound good but fails to edify. When we operate in faith and allow the Spirit to work through us, the message carries His divine anointing and effectively edifies the Body of Christ.

The Word by Word Flow of Supernatural Interpretation

It's helpful to picture an ordinary tissue box when learning how to interpret an unknown tongue. Each time you PULL a tissue, up pops another. Interpreting a tongue is similar in action, since the interpretation is uttered one word or phrase at a time, as it's received by faith.

Expect the Holy Spirit to start you off with a single word or phrase. Speak it, and another phrase will be given. Speak it, and another phrase will be given, and so on.

For example…

1. PULL: "Our hearts are full of your praises."
2. PULL: "Your goodness and mercy surround us."
3. PULL: "We place our faith in you, Lord."
4. PULL: "You are…."

Continue interpreting until you sense there's no more words and phrases to be added. Then, you will know it's time to stop. If you continue speaking beyond the Spirit's prompting, you'll find yourself tripping over your words and repeating yourself as your mind tries to compensate.

Be careful not to pressure yourself. Expect the inspired words to come slowly, and you may find yourself pausing between phrases, as the message is composed on your tongue.  It's not the speed of delivery or how many words are spoken that's important; it's whether the interpreted message is inspired by the Holy Spirit.

It's important to note that the interpretation of a tongue is NOT a word-for-word translation. It's similar to a paraphrase in that it offers the substance, the gist of what's been spoken in tongues. Let's be clear, the length of a message spoke in an unknown tongue bears NO relationship to the length of its interpretation.

Some speakers who interpret are naturally more wordy in their everyday speaking than others, so some interpretations of tongues are longer, while others are shorter, and some will be more flowery in their delivery based on personality.

Simply be yourself when interpreting an unknown tongue. Don't attempt to model your delivery of the interpretation after anyone else. Let your own God-given personality shine through.

Expect your first attempts at interpreting a message in tongues to be halting and slow. You may find yourself pausing between the phrases, as they are composed on your tongue, but your delivery will improve as you gain confidence through experience.

Take your time to speak clearly and loud enough for everyone in the room to hear. Speak confidently in the first person; for example, "God, I praise your wonderful works."

Remember, you are supernaturally interpreting an inspired message that was spoken to God in tongues only you won't know what the interpretation is until you've finished speaking it nor will anyone listening.

Maintaining Order: Paul's Guidelines for Congregational Gatherings

Paul suggests, "If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret" (1 Corinthians 14:27).

One to three messages in tongues can be given either by the same person or by different persons, but each tongue must be followed by its interpretation. Also, each tongue and its interpretation must be given in turn to avoid the confusion of people speaking over one another.

However, after two messages in tongues have been given either by the same person or by two different persons, and there's been no interpretations, then whoever follows with a third message in tongues followed by an interpretation, that ONE interpretation serves as an interpretation of ALL previous messages.

Why "two or at the most three" messages in tongues? Paul is likely suggesting that limiting the messages to three permits other believers the opportunity to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit to share a Scripture verse, a teaching, or a word of prophecy, for the edification of the local Body of Christ.

Handling Uninterpreted Message: Biblical Solutions

Paul instructs, "But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in Church, and let him speak to himself and to God" (1 Corinthians 14:28).

The obligation is on the speaker of the tongue to ensure the tongue will be interpreted by either himself or by someone else present who's experienced in interpreting tongues and is willing to exercise the gift.

When a message in tongues is given and the speaker is developing their interpretation ability, or feels hesitant, a leader experienced in the gifts can lovingly guide and encourage them to interpret the message. Otherwise, the Holy Spirit will prompt another believer to step out in faith and interpret the tongue.

After two or three messages have been spoken in tongues without interpretation, it's best to pause further tongue messages. This allows time for the Holy Spirit to work through those present and maintains order in the service, as Paul instructs.

Distinguishing Gifts: Interpretation vs. Revelation

Paul says, "If anything is REVEALED to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged (1 Corinthians 14:30–31, emphasis added).

The use of the word "revealed" indicates this verse hasn't anything to do with prophecy or the interpretation of a message that's been given in tongues. Paul is likely referring to one of the revelation gifts: word of knowledge, word of wisdom, or discernment of spirits.

Sometimes, others may feel they received a different interpretation and say, "I had the interpretation, and it was different." Remember that the interpretation of tongues flows phrase by phrase as the Spirit gives utterance, so they could not have known what the message was unless they had first spoken it.

What others may be experiencing could be a separate revelation from the Lord that complements the interpreted message and was meant to inspire them.

Spirit-Led Yet Self-Controlled: Your Authority in Exercising the Gift

Paul says, "For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets" (1 Corinthians 14:31–32).

What Paul is saying concerning the gift of prophecy can also be applied to the gift of tongues and the gift of interpretation of tongues.

Paul reminds that we are always in full control of our actions. We can choose to be obedient to the Holy Spirit's prompting and bring a message of edification, or we can choose not to.

The Ultimate Goal: Supernatural Edification Through the Gift of Interpretation of Tongues

Paul gives ends his instruction on the gifts of the Holy Spirit with a no-nonsense caution: "If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 14:37, emphasis added).

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are precious tools given to us for building up the Body of Christ. As we embrace and faithfully exercise these gifts, we become more effective in our service to the Lord and His people.

As believers, we cannot fulfill our calling to edify the local Body of Christ and advance the Kingdom of God using our natural abilities alone! We need the supernatural abilities given us by the Holy Spirit,

Knowing how to interpret tongues of a heavenly nature enables us to deliver divinely inspired words within our local assembly that will edify and bless our fellow believers.

Moving Forward: Your Next Steps in Interpretation

Practicing the gift of interpretation of tongues is a journey of faith, patience, and dedication to serving the Body of Christ. Continue to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance as you apply these principles in your spiritual walk.

Speaking a message in an unknown tongue followed by its interpretation requires two gifts of the Spirit — two steps of faith. Each time you exercise these gifts, your measure of faith increases.

Your faithful use of this divine gift not only increases your faith, but it brings powerful transformation to both your life and your Church community. Begin by building your faith through private prayer in tongues, remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit's promptings in gatherings, and trust that He will provide the words of the interpretation as you speak them forth in faith.

---

About the Author

Don Bell is the creator of the Kingdom Anointing website, and a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ. He shares insights from his spiritual journey to encourage ordinary believers to seek God's Kingdom and lead extraordinary lives in the Holy Spirit.

---

Like This Page? Please Share It

Hi, I'm Don, and my prayer is Kingdom Anointing™ will help you build faith, walk confidently in the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, and realize your full potential in the Kingdom of God.