We have seen many compelling cases that tongues speaking indicate to speak human languages, which are known languages, but unknown to the speakers themselves. 

Tongue speaking psychology
John Kildahl said, “The importance of the leader was well illustrated by the fact that the style of glossolalia adapted by the group bore a close resemblance to the way in which the leader spoke. A linguist engaged in glossolalia research found that prominent visiting speakers affected whole groups of glossolalists. Although no two tongue-speakers sounded exactly alike, the prominent leader spoke in a kind of Old Testament Hebraic style, and those who were taught by him also spoke in this manner. If the leader of the group evidenced Spanish diction and mannerism, his followers also developed that style. It is not uncommon for linguists to be able to tell which prominent itinerant glossolalist has introduced a congregation to tongue-speaking. Relatively few men and women travel the tongue-speaking circuit. The glossolalist styles of Bennett, Bredesen, Christenson, du Plessis, Mjorud, and Stone are distinctive enough to be identifiable by observant linguists” (The Psychology of Speaking in Tongues, Harper & Rowe, 1972, page 53).

G. E. Stiles said, “Help the candidate see that the gift is already given and all he has to do is to receive it. 2. Lead him to realize that anyone who is saved through baptism is prepared to receive the baptism of the Spirit. 3. Tell him that when hands are laid upon him he will receive the Holy Spirit. 4. Tell the candidate he is to expect the Spirit to move on his vocal chords, but that he must cooperate with the experience as well. 5. Tell him to throw away all fear that this experience might be false. 6. Tell him to open his mouth wide and breathe as deeply as possible, at the same time telling himself that he is receiving the Spirit now (The Gift of the Holy Spirit, 104 [cited by Morton T. Kelsey, Tongue-Speaking, Doubleday, 1964, 801).”

Tongues speaking – languages continued (1 Corinthians 14:16, 23)

KJV 1 Corinthians 14:16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

NAS 1 Corinthians 14:16 Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the "Amen " at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?

NIV 1 Corinthians 14:16 If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

 A few observations

1. While the KJV and the NIV recognize the cognitive nature of the persons who listen to tongues speaking, the NIV understands is as a matter of sign gift.
2. The NIV takes freedom in its translation.
3. All translations do recognize that the most desirable result of listening to tongues speaking is either understanding or knowing, which is cognitive.
4. A brief summary
5. The cognitive nature of tongues speaking is well reflected in the verbs, “understand,” and “know.”
6. In order to say Amen to the words spoken, the hearer must understand the message.
7. It supports the view of human language as the nature of tongues speaking.

1 Corinthians 14:23 is another example:

KJV 1 Corinthians 14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

NAS 1 Corinthians 14:23 If therefore the whole church should assemble together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad?

NIV 1 Corinthians 14:23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?

The analysis of this verse is almost the same as verse 16.  Some people may bring different conclusions from the one that I have made.  However, 1 Corinthians 14:21 may seal on this comparative study.  “In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.”  It is an expanded version of Isaiah 28:11, which says, “For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.”  Edward J. Young says of the phrase, “stammering lips,” as following: “These appear to be mere unintelligible mutterings, so that those who hear will hear gibberish.  The following phrase, however shows that the reference here is to another language.  Hence God will speak to the nation in a language that it does not know. . . It is probably correct to see here a reference to the coming of the Assyrians, whose language, naturally, the Judahites would not understand . . . the Jews would have to deal with those who spoke this Assyrian language . . . . The tongue here probably refers to a people, as Isaiah later says, ‘I will gather all nations and tongues (66:18).  The thought then is that God will speak to Judah by means of people who speak a language different from that of the Jews” (The Book of Isaiah, vol. 2, Eerdmans, 1969, 277-78).  It vindicates that view that tongues in 1 Corinthians 14 are human languages. 

I’ll continue to dwell on this topic next week.

Lovingly,
Your pastor

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