The Gift of Interpretation of Tongues

The gift of interpretation of tongues stands as one of the most fascinating spiritual gifts mentioned in Scripture. This supernatural ability enables believers to convey messages spoken in unknown tongues into their native language to uplift and edify the Body of Christ.

If you're curious about how this supernatural gift operates and seeking to develop it in your own life, this 2-part series of articles will walk you through its purpose, operation, and impact on both individual believers and the Church as a whole. Gain deeper understanding and unlock the true potential of this wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit today.

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

Part 1 of 2 by Don Bell | ⏱️ 7 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.

Common Myths Debunked: Truth About Tongues Interpretation

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.

Biblical Foundation: 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, when accompanied by an interpretation, a message spoken in tongues can be understood and becomes a powerful tool for building up the entire 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, two steps of faith. Each time you exercise these gifts, your measure of faith increases.

The Divine Process: How Interpretation of Tongues Works

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 Church Through 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.

Your Private Journey With Tongues

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.

While interpretation isn't needed in private prayer, the practice of tongues in private settings:

• Strengthens your faith for public ministry
• Develops your sensitivity to the Holy Spirit
• Builds confidence in exercising spiritual gifts
• Prepares you for times when interpretation is needed in church settings

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

Remember: Private prayer in tongues is perfect communication with God that requires no interpretation, while public messages in tongues need interpretation to fulfill their purpose of edifying the Church.

Discover More in This 2-Part Series

Continue to Part 2, where we'll explore practical steps for interpreting tongues and dive deeper into this vital spiritual gift. You'll discover how to develop and exercise this gift in alignment with biblical principles.

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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