The Gift of Interpretation of Tongues

Explore the gift of Interpretation of tongues. This gift of the Holy Spirit allows believers to bring the essence of a message spoken in an unknown tongue into their own native language. Let's debunk the common misconceptions and discover how this unusual gift can uplift and edify both the individual and the entire Church.

If you're at all curious about how this supernatural gift operates and want to learn how to interpret tongues, this 2-part series of articles are a must-read. Gain deeper understanding and unlock the true potential of this wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit today.

Explore the Gift of Interpretation of Tongues

Part 1 of 2 by Don Bell | ⏱️ 6 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.

Misconceptions About 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 understand foreign languages.
• It is NOT the ability to speak a message meditated upon beforehand.
• 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.

The Gift of Interpretation of Tongues Explained

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 primarily focuses on edifying the individual speaker, UNLESS the tongue is interpreted. When the tongue is interpreted, its message can be understood and have an edifying effect on the Church.

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.

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

The Process of Interpreting an Unknown Tongue

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 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.

Interpretation of Tongues for the Church

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

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 explains how the use of tongues and its companion gift, the interpretation of tongues edifies 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).

Clearly, Paul encourages EVERYONE to take part as the Church gathers by being open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. The key take-away is that EACH believer WILL HAVE something to contribute for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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

Paul says, "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, emphasis added).

Note the obligation Paul places on the believer speaking a message in tongues to also "pray that HE may interpret." 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 HE (or SHE) should pray privately in tongues beforehand to build up faith. Then, when the Holy Spirit prompts the delivery of a message in an unknown tongue, there's faith enough to follow with its interpretation.

When the person who's delivering a message in tongues is unaware of their obligation to interpret it, or should they choose not to interpret it, the Holy Spirit will prompt a leader or someone else in the group to give the interpretation.

Who can interpret an unknown tongue? Every believer who's filled with the Holy Spirit and is willing to step out in faith to exercise the gift when prompted by the Holy Spirit.

Interpretation of Tongues for Yourself

There's NO need to interpret your spoken tongue to yourself in private, as its message is meant for God and not you. The benefit of praying in tongues is for you; it's to build your faith and for communicating with God in prayer, so there's no need for an interpretation.

More in This 2-Part Series

Part 2: How to Interpret Tongues

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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.

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Hi, I'm Don, and my prayer is that 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.

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