The Baptism And Gifts Of The Holy Spirit

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< > Chapter Six The three gifts of inspiration and encouragement The gift of interpretation of tongues. "hermeneia glosson" This is the last gift spoken of in 1Cor.12v8-10.. 1Cor.14v5,13,27,28. The person who interprets a tongue is said by Paul to possess a greater ministry than those who just speak in tongues. 1Cor.14v5. Indeed, the gift of interpretation of tongues fulfils a similar function to the simple gift of prophecy. It is the ability to interpret an utterance of speaking with tongues, the person who receives the interpretation having no knowledge of the language spoken. It appears from 1Cor.14v13., that every Christian who speaks in tongues can be inspired of God to interpret, however, from 1Cor.12v28. and 14v28., it appears that there are Christians with a definite ministry of interpretation. The interpretation can be the description of a vision, or a prophetic type utterance. It can take the form of a prayer for heavenly help, a prayer of dedication, a statement of faith and assurance, an expression of praise and worship, as well as words of edification, exhortation and comfort. Interpreted tongues may be addressed to God, as are the devotional tongues of 1Cor.14v2.; however, like prophecy it can also be addressed to man, “he who prophesies speaks to men.” 1Cor.14v3. Sometimes the “interpretation” can be the answer to the prayer, praise, and statement of faith, etc., of the message in tongues, and on these occasions it would be more accurate to call it a prophecy rather than an interpretation. However, we must not be too technical in our definitions, it is a powerful manifestation of the gifts that really matters, not a correct definition; the Holy Spirit will interpret the tongue as He thinks best. “Interpretation,” “hermeneia,” only occurs in 1Cor.12v10. and 14v26., however, the word translated “interpret” in 1Cor.12v30. and 14v5,13,27., is “diermeneuo,” which means to explain, or to fully expound, or interpret. It is used of our Lord's “expounding” the Scriptures in Lk.24v27.; and of the interpretation of the name of “Tabitha,” as “Dorcas,” in Acts.9v36.. “Interpreter,” in 1Cor.14v28., is “diermeneutes,” a person who explains, or expounds. The Christian who interprets may receive either the complete interpretation before he starts speaking, or more often, he will receive part of the interpretation and begin to speak, and receive the rest as continues to speak. The interpretation can be received even before a tongue is spoken, as well as during or after the utterance. The reception of a genuine interpretation of tongues is recognised by the heavenly unction, which rests both upon the interpreter, AND the listeners, any interpretation that lacks this anointing, lacks God's authority. 2Pet.1v21. It is truly a solemn responsibility to claim to speak God's words to men; we are answerable to God for any pretension on this matter. However, Paul tells us that Christians who speak in tongues should pray that they might receive the gift of interpretation, they should not be content to see others prophesy or interpret all the time. 1Cor.14v13,14. Paul tells us that only one person should interpret even if several have the interpretation. 1Cor.14v27,28. This does not mean that the same person should interpret every utterance in tongues; God desires the ministry to be shared. It is a tragedy when Christians are determined to monopolise this ministry, and try to interpret when they have nothing from God. We can only interpret when the Holy Spirit gives us an interpretation. Why is there sometimes a difference between the length of a tongue and its interpretation? Because of the difference in human personality. Some Christians interpret with many words, some with few words, because of their different temperaments and vocabulary, some Christians are wordy, some are brief and precise in what they say. The Holy Spirit does not do violence to our personality, and so a Christian's disposition, vocabulary, and spirituality will effect their interpretation or prophecy. This can be confirmed by studying the various styles of the Old Testament prophets, for example, Isaiah and Amos. Because of the difference in the Holy Spirit's methods of communication. As we have seen the Holy Spirit expounds the interpretation as it pleases Him. The Holy Spirit can give the same interpretation to different Christians in different ways. One may have a pictorial vision and describe what they see in simple words, another may have words spoken to them in their spirit, while another may understand the tongue as it is spoken. The interpretation may be communicated in different ways but the theme is the same. God will often give picture visions to those who are not wordy or verbose, and this is probably the best form of interpretation or prophecy, because it is so striking and easily remembered. When some mature Christians, with an outstanding ministry of interpretation of tongues, are used by God to interpret, their “inspired oratory” is profoundly moving, and at large public meetings these Christians are the ones who should interpret. In these large meetings, Christians whose gift of interpretation is less mature, should humbly and graciously sit back and listen, they can manifest their gift in the much smaller church or house meeting. Because sometimes a Christian may not give the full interpretation. A Christian may only give part of the interpretation, because God only wanted them to listen and confirm the interpretation, not give it, or they could have been distracted by something and lose touch with God. Sometimes a Christian will carry on with an utterance in tongues even though their message has finished, because they are being blessed by God. Because sometimes an "interpretation" may really be a prophecy, or contain an additional prophecy. Sometimes a Christian may feel so moved and blessed by an outstanding sermon, an anointed singing item, or a powerful meeting, that they feel that this is an indication for them to speak in tongues for interpretation. However, a surge of emotion or a blessing from God does not necessarily mean that we should speak out an utterance in tongues for interpretation; it may be a blessing to uplift us, or to help us to pray, or praise and worship God. On these occasions praise may be interpreted as praise, or God may give a prophecy in answer to this praise. On other occasions the Holy Spirit may interpret a tongue and give a prophecy in addition to the tongue, and so the “interpretation” will be considerably longer than the tongue. Because sometimes, unfortunately, a Christian may invent an interpretation. Sometimes through ignorance, wrong teaching, or a wilful determination to invent an interpretation, a false interpretation can be given. We cannot interpret tongues at will; sometimes the Holy Spirit will not give an interpretation to the “regular interpreters,” in order to start someone else on a ministry of interpretation. Spiritual Christians can easily discern extempore preaching paraded as an interpretation of tongues; for true interpretation carries the power and blessing of God, and edifies and blesses the church. It is a gift greatly to be desired. < >
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Chapter Six

The three gifts of inspiration and encouragement

The gift of interpretation of tongues. "hermeneia glosson"

This is the last gift spoken of in 1Cor.12v8-10.. 1Cor.14v5,13,27,28. The person who interprets a tongue is said by Paul to possess a greater ministry than those who just speak in tongues. 1Cor.14v5. Indeed, the gift of interpretation of tongues fulfils a similar function to the simple gift of prophecy. It is the ability to interpret an utterance of speaking with tongues, the person who receives the interpretation having no knowledge of the language spoken. It appears from 1Cor.14v13., that every Christian who speaks in tongues can be inspired of God to interpret, however, from 1Cor.12v28. and 14v28., it appears that there are Christians with a definite ministry of interpretation.

The interpretation can be the description of a vision, or a prophetic type utterance. It can take the form of a prayer for heavenly help, a prayer of dedication, a statement of faith and assurance, an expression of praise and worship, as well as words of edification, exhortation and comfort. Interpreted tongues may be addressed to God, as are the devotional tongues of 1Cor.14v2.; however, like prophecy it can also be addressed to man, “he who prophesies speaks to men.” 1Cor.14v3. Sometimes the “interpretation” can be the answer to the prayer, praise, and statement of faith, etc., of the message in tongues, and on these occasions it would be more accurate to call it a prophecy rather than an interpretation. However, we must not be too technical in our definitions, it is a powerful manifestation of the gifts that really matters, not a correct definition; the Holy Spirit will interpret the tongue as He thinks best.

“Interpretation,” “hermeneia,” only occurs in 1Cor.12v10. and 14v26., however, the word translated “interpret” in 1Cor.12v30. and 14v5,13,27., is “diermeneuo,” which means to explain, or to fully expound, or interpret. It is used of our Lord's “expounding” the Scriptures in Lk.24v27.; and of the interpretation of the name of “Tabitha,” as “Dorcas,” in Acts.9v36.. “Interpreter,” in 1Cor.14v28., is “diermeneutes,” a person who explains, or expounds. The Christian who interprets may receive either the complete interpretation before he starts speaking, or more often, he will receive part of the interpretation and begin to speak, and receive the rest as continues to speak. The interpretation can be received even before a tongue is spoken, as well as during or after the utterance. The reception of a genuine interpretation of tongues is recognised by the heavenly unction, which rests both upon the interpreter, AND the listeners, any interpretation that lacks this anointing, lacks God's authority. 2Pet.1v21. It is truly a solemn responsibility to claim to speak God's words to men; we are answerable to God for any pretension on this matter. However, Paul tells us that Christians who speak in tongues should pray that they might receive the gift of interpretation, they should not be content to see others prophesy or interpret all the time. 1Cor.14v13,14. Paul tells us that only one person should interpret even if several have the interpretation. 1Cor.14v27,28. This does not mean that the same person should interpret every utterance in tongues; God desires the ministry to be shared. It is a tragedy when Christians are determined to monopolise this ministry, and try to interpret when they have nothing from God. We can only interpret when the Holy Spirit gives us an interpretation.

Why is there sometimes a difference between the length of a tongue and its interpretation?
Because of the difference in human personality.
Some Christians interpret with many words, some with few words, because of their different temperaments and vocabulary, some Christians are wordy, some are brief and precise in what they say. The Holy Spirit does not do violence to our personality, and so a Christian's disposition, vocabulary, and spirituality will effect their interpretation or prophecy. This can be confirmed by studying the various styles of the Old Testament prophets, for example, Isaiah and Amos.

Because of the difference in the Holy Spirit's methods of communication.
As we have seen the Holy Spirit expounds the interpretation as it pleases Him. The Holy Spirit can give the same interpretation to different Christians in different ways. One may have a pictorial vision and describe what they see in simple words, another may have words spoken to them in their spirit, while another may understand the tongue as it is spoken. The interpretation may be communicated in different ways but the theme is the same. God will often give picture visions to those who are not wordy or verbose, and this is probably the best form of interpretation or prophecy, because it is so striking and easily remembered. When some mature Christians, with an outstanding ministry of interpretation of tongues, are used by God to interpret, their “inspired oratory” is profoundly moving, and at large public meetings these Christians are the ones who should interpret. In these large meetings, Christians whose gift of interpretation is less mature, should humbly and graciously sit back and listen, they can manifest their gift in the much smaller church or house meeting.

Because sometimes a Christian may not give the full interpretation.
A Christian may only give part of the interpretation, because God only wanted them to listen and confirm the interpretation, not give it, or they could have been distracted by something and lose touch with God. Sometimes a Christian will carry on with an utterance in tongues even though their message has finished, because they are being blessed by God.

Because sometimes an "interpretation" may really be a prophecy, or contain an additional prophecy.
Sometimes a Christian may feel so moved and blessed by an outstanding sermon, an anointed singing item, or a powerful meeting, that they feel that this is an indication for them to speak in tongues for interpretation. However, a surge of emotion or a blessing from God does not necessarily mean that we should speak out an utterance in tongues for interpretation; it may be a blessing to uplift us, or to help us to pray, or praise and worship God. On these occasions praise may be interpreted as praise, or God may give a prophecy in answer to this praise. On other occasions the Holy Spirit may interpret a tongue and give a prophecy in addition to the tongue, and so the “interpretation” will be considerably longer than the tongue.

Because sometimes, unfortunately, a Christian may invent an interpretation.
Sometimes through ignorance, wrong teaching, or a wilful determination to invent an interpretation, a false interpretation can be given. We cannot interpret tongues at will; sometimes the Holy Spirit will not give an interpretation to the “regular interpreters,” in order to start someone else on a ministry of interpretation. Spiritual Christians can easily discern extempore preaching paraded as an interpretation of tongues; for true interpretation carries the power and blessing of God, and edifies and blesses the church. It is a gift greatly to be desired.

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