Bible Discussion Thread

It is very obvious from the context of 1Corinthians 14 that the purpose of speaking in tongues or foreign languages is to communicate the gospel and thereby edify the church. If the listeners do not understand the spoken language they cannot be edified. Consequently, if there is no interpreter, the speaker is simply speaking into the air and the only ones present who know what is being said are God and himself. This is the clear meaning of the often misquoted verse 1Cor. 14 2 ...Verses 9, clearly the entire purpose of tongues is to cross language barriers and communicate the gospel. 1Corinthians is the only one in which Paul deals with the subject of tongues. The Corinthian church obviously had a specific, temporary problem because Paul 's 2nd letter to Corinth never even mentions tongues. The ancient city of Corinth was famous for its international seaports. Because the Corinthian church was melting pot of many different nationalities, its services often became chaotic and confusing. Evidently some of the members would pray, testify or preach in languages unknown to the others present. This is why Paul commanded that if they spoke in a tongue unknown to the majority, they should remain silent unless there was someone there to interpret or translate 1Cor. 14 28