Few topics in the church carry as much confusion and emotion as speaking in tongues. Some of you have felt pressure to “produce” something that didn’t feel genuine. Others have watched chaotic scenes and quietly wondered, “Is this really what Scripture teaches?”
Today, I want to walk with you—calmly, carefully—through the Word of God, to see what tongues actually are, and what Paul actually meant when he spoke of “tongues of men and of angels.” My aim is simple:
- To show from Scripture that tongues are intelligible human languages.
- To show that “tongues of angels” is hyperbole, not a license for gibberish.
- To call us back to Paul’s central concern: love and edification (obedience and building up).
What Happened At Pentecost?
Acts 2:1–13 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit fell on the disciples, and Luke tells us: They began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance… …each one was hearing them speak in his own language.
Luke then lists multiple nations and language groups. The miracle is crystal clear:
- The disciples spoke real, recognizable human languages they had never learned.
- The hearers understood them in their own mother tongue.
- Some people didn’t like what the disciples were saying and so accused them of being drunk.
This was not private babble; it was a public, intelligible sign of the Gospel breaking into the world and, in a sense, reversing Babel. Where Babel scattered by languages, Pentecost gathered by languages.
When we interpret Scripture, one of the most reliable and widely accepted principles of sound exegesis is this: we begin with the clearest passage on a subject, and we allow that passage to guide our understanding of later or less clear references.
YHWH God is not the author of confusion, and He doesn’t reveal a doctrine in a muddled or contradictory way. Instead, He gives us a foundational example—something unmistakable, concrete, and plain—and then we read the rest of Scripture in light of that clarity.
Acts 2 is that foundational example for the gift of tongues. It’s the first occurrence, and it’s the most explicit description we have. Because it plainly presents tongues as real, intelligible human languages, any later discussion—such as Paul’s corrective teaching in 1 Corinthians—must be understood in continuity with this clear beginning.
This isn’t a theological preference; it’s simply faithful, responsible interpretation.
What Does Paul Mean By “Tongues”?
In the New Testament, the Greek word for “tongues” is glōssa.
- It can mean the physical tongue.
- But in context, it overwhelmingly means language.
We still speak this way: “mother tongue” means “mother language.” So when Paul speaks of “tongues,” he is speaking of languages.
1 Corinthians 12-14
When Paul writes to the Corinthians, he’s not redefining tongues. He’s regulating their use.
He says:
- If there’s no one to interpret, no one will understand what is being said, and therefore the speech would be to God not men. But tongues is supposed to be for spreading the Gospel to unbelievers, not speaking to God. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. (14:2)
- Tongues must be interpreted, because the purpose is spreading the Gospel to unbelievers: If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.(14:27-18)
- Without interpretation, the church is not edified (built up): For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up. (14:17)
- There are many languages in the world, and none is without meaning, but without someone to interpret, the words are pointless: There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. (14:10-11)
Paul’s entire discussion assumes:
- Tongues have meaning.
- Tongues can be interpreted (translated).
- Tongues are languages in the world, not random sounds.
- Tongues are for spreading the Gospel to unbelievers.
Gibberish cannot be translated. Gibberish has no meaning. But Paul insists that every language has meaning.
“Tongues of Men and of Angels”
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Some have taken, “tongues of men and of angels“ to mean that there are human languages and there are angelic languages or even mysterious heavenly gibberish (ecstatic utterances).
But look at the pattern of the passage:
“If I have all knowledge…” “If I have all faith so as to remove mountains…” “If I deliver up my body to be burned…”
Paul is using deliberate exaggeration—hyperbole—to make one point: “Even if I had the most spectacular gifts imaginable, without love, I am nothing.” And love is obedience.
John 14:15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
Paul isn’t writing a doctrinal manual on angelic linguistics. He’s saying: “Even if I could speak every language—human or angelic—without love, it’s worthless.” This is hyperbole.
Angels in Scripture
We must always let scripture interpret scripture. When angels speak in the Bible, what do they sound like?
- Gabriel speaks to Daniel in intelligible language—Daniel’s language.
- Gabriel speaks to Mary in intelligible language—Mary’s language.
- Angels speak to Joseph, Zechariah, the shepherds, Abraham, Lot, Gideon—always in clear, understandable speech.
There is no biblical example of angels speaking in private, ecstatic gibberish, or their own secret language.
Here are two best-practice rules-of-thumb for us to follow:
- Always let scripture interpret scripture.
- When it comes to church doctrine, we should shout what scripture shouts, whisper what scripture whispers, and be silent on what scripture is silent on.
So:
- “Tongues of angels” is rhetorical exaggeration to make a point, not a new category of non-linguistic speech or a secret language of angels.
- Using this phrase to justify babbling is to stretch the text beyond what it says.
Paul’s Focus: Understanding, Edification, and Order
Intelligibility
In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul keeps returning to one theme: understanding.
“How will anyone know what is said?” (14:9) “You will be speaking into the air.” (14:9) “If I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner.” (14:11)
The problem Paul is addressing isn’t that tongues are meaningless. The problem is that the hearers don’t know the language.
Interpretation
Paul says:
1 Corinthians 14:26-28 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. If there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.
Why? Because:
- The church must be built up (edified), not individuals.
- People must be able to say “Amen” to what is prayed. How can they say “Amen” if they don’t understand what is said?
- Everything done in the gathering must be for edification (building up) of the church.
Uninterpreted tongues in public are out of order, not necessarily because they are fake, but because they are unintelligible to others.
A Sign to Unbelievers
1 Corinthians 14:22 Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.
This message echoes Pentecost, where unbelievers heard the mighty works of YHWH in their own languages.
Again, the sign is intelligible language for the purpose of spreading the Gospel to unbelievers. Tongues are not mysterious sounds to make the speaker feel closer to God, or feel better about their worries, or feel anything at all. Tongues are not self-focused, they are Christ-focused.
Why “Angelic Gibberish” Is Not What Paul Meant
Let’s gather the threads:
- Acts 2 shows tongues as real, recognizable human languages.
- The word glōssa means language, not ecstatic utterance.
- 1 Corinthians 14 treats tongues as meaningful, translatable speech.
- Tongues is for spreading the Gospel to unbelievers.
- “Tongues of angels” in 1 Corinthians 13:1 is hyperbole, part of a series of exaggerated “if” statements.
- Angels in Scripture always speak intelligible language.
- Paul’s focus is love, understanding, edification, and order—not spectacle.
Therefore:
- Using “tongues of angels” to defend gibberish is a misuse of the text.
- Claiming that tongues are non-linguistic sounds (ecstatic utterances) contradicts Paul’s insistence on meaning and interpretation.
- The most faithful reading is that tongues are intelligible human languages, miraculously given, and meant to be used in love (obedience), with understanding, for the building up of the church.
Application:
For Those Confused or Hurt
If you’ve been pressured to “speak in tongues” and felt you had to fake something, hear this:
- Your worth is not measured by whether you speak in tongues.
- The Spirit distributes gifts as He wills (1 Cor 12:11).
- Love (obedience) is the “more excellent way” (12:31; 13:1).
You are not a second-class Christian if you don’t speak in tongues.
For Those Who Value the Gift
If you do speak in tongues, Scripture calls you to:
- Use the gift in love (obedience), not pride.
- Seek interpretation when in the gathered church, or keep quiet.
- Aim always at edification (building up) of the church, not yourself.
- Remember that the gift of tongues is for spreading the Gospel to unbelievers, not for making yourself feel closer to God.
Tongues are useful when they serve understanding and mission, as at Pentecost.
For the Whole Church
Let us:
- Refuse to build doctrine on one phrase torn from its rhetorical context.
- Read Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 12–14 together.
- Pursue love (obedience) first, and then eagerly desire the gifts in a way that builds up the church.
The Holy Spirit is not the author of confusion. He’s the Spirit of truth, of love, of edification. His purpose is to glorify Yeshua Messiah (Jesus Christ). Not Himself. Not us. Yeshua Messiah.
John 16:14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
Let us honor Him by:
- Receiving His gifts with humility.
- Using them with clarity.
- Submitting our experiences to Scripture, not Scripture to our experiences.
May our prayer be:
“Lord, give us hearts full of love, minds full of understanding, and tongues—whatever language they speak—that build up Your church and proclaim Your gospel clearly to the world.”
YHWH bless you and keep you; YHWH make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; YHWH lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26