Speaking with “new tongues” is a phenomenon unique to the New Testament. Although we see it in some form prophesied in the Old Testament (see Isaiah 28:11), its actual fulfillment is not seen till Acts 2:1-4 and it continues throughout the same Book (Acts 2:1-4, Acts 10:44-46, Acts 19:1-7). Note that the phrases “receive the Holy Ghost” and “the Holy Spirit fell” were used as synonyms for speaking with tongues in the Book of Acts.
It is apparent in the Book of Acts that ALL believers spoke with tongues. Jesus had prophesied this earlier in Mark 16:17 — “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name… they will speak with new tongues” (NKJV)
There is no exception! Every believer CAN and SHOULD speak with tongues. However, we read something strange in 1 Corinthians 12:28-31 that, at first glance, seems to imply otherwise:
1 Corinthians 12:28-31 (NKJV)
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? DO ALL SPEAK WITH TONGUES? DO ALL INTERPRET? 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
Some have used vs. 30 to teach that some believers don’t have certain gifts of the Spirit (because of Paul’s rhetorical questions — “Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?”). A simple contextual reading helps to clear up the misunderstanding.
Observe from vs. 1 that Paul is discussing “spirituals” (the word “gifts” is italicized). Then from verses 4-6, he explains that there are diversities of spiritual gifts, MINISTRIES and activities. Many often make the mistake of focusing on the nine gifts of the Spirit ALONE in 1 Corinthians 12. But Paul is discussing three distinct things in the text — the nine gifts, the ministry gifts (different functions in the Body of Christ) and the activities of these ministry gifts (how the various nine gifts operate UNIQUELY in each ministry gift). Paul’s writings ALWAYS differentiate between the nine gifts of the Spirit (which every believer has, according to vs. 7&11) and ministry gifts, which are special enablements for a particular ministerial task (see Rom. 12:3-8). Although ALL believers have the nine gifts of the Spirit, they do not ALL occupy THE SAME roles/offices/ministerial gifts or capacities in the Body of Christ.
Having discussed the spiritual gifts we ALL have (in verses 1-11 of 1 Corin. 12), the rest of the chapter (verses 12-31) are to discuss the different FUNCTIONS/MINISTRIES within the Body of Christ (which differs with every believer).
In Ephesians 4:11, Paul gives a list of these distinct functions (known as “ministry gifts”) — apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastoring teachers.
In 1 Corinthians 12:28-31, Paul lists these distinct functions as well but this list seems “incomplete” when compared with Eph. 4:11. This is not the case however, when you realize that Paul was further explaining the ministry gifts (listed in Eph. 4:11) using those spiritual gifts/functions/role which were most unique to them:
1) apostles
2) prophets, which he further explains as “varieties of tongues.”
3) (pastoring) teachers are further explained as “administrations.”
4) then instead of “evangelists,” Paul uses a compound phrase “miracles, gifts of healings.”
(Note that the 1 Corinthians 12 list also adds “helps” as a ministry gift)
Therefore, “miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues” (in vs. 28) must not be seen as the nine spiritual gifts (in verses 8-10, which ALL believers have) but ministry gifts “dissected” i.e what they do and how particularly they function, further explained.
Therefore, “varieties of tongues” (utterance gifts) in vs. 28 is synonymous with “prophets.” The Prophets will function THE BEST in the utterance gifts.
“Miracles (or miracle workers) and gifts of healings” in vs. 30 are to further explain “evangelists” and the gifts of the Spirit most prominent in that office. Although every believer can work miracles and heal the sick, the evangelist will function THE BEST in the power gifts (see Acts 8:5-8 for an example of Philip as evangelist). That’s an “operation” or “activity” unique to the office of the evangelist.
“Administrations” is a synonym of “pastoring teachers” in 1 Corinthians 12:28. The Pastor will PRIMARILY lead as overseer in the local Church. Paul is no longer discussing spiritual gifts (the nine gifts which every believer has) but ministerial capacities with differ with individuals (see vs. 27).
After this list, he then begins a series of rhetorical questions:
29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
This now makes more sense. The text can be better understood this:
29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles and 30 Do all have gifts of healings (AS EVANGELISTS)? Do all speak with tongues AND Do all interpret (AS PROPHETS)?
The rhetorical questions “Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings?” simply mean “do all occupy the office of the evangelist simply because they all work miracles and heal the sick (functions which are most pronounced in the office of the evangelist)?”
And the rhetorical questions “Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?” simply mean “do all occupy the office of the Prophet simply because all believers can also speak with tongues and interpret?”
The answer would be no. Every believer CAN speak with tongues and interpret (utterance gifts), but not EVERY BELIEVER occupy the office of the Prophet. Just like EVERY believer can work miracles and heal the sick, but that doesn’t make EVERY BELIEVER an evangelist. We can ALL do a degree of the same things but those graced in a particular office will perform better. That’s all the Apostle Paul is saying here. Vs. 31 then says although we cannot ALL have the same ministry gifts (apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastoring teacher), we must desire earnestly the gifts we ALL CAN have, particularly the “best gifts.”
© Josh Banks Ministries. 2020.
