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Interpretation Of Tongues

Culture & Society

What is the meaning of Interpretation Of Tongues in the Bible?

The interpretation of tongues is a spiritual gift described in the New Testament, particularly in 1 Corinthians 12-14, wherein a speaker uttering glossolalia or a foreign language is enabled to provide an intelligible translation for the edification of the congregation.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding this concept clarifies the Apostle Paul's instructions regarding orderly worship, distinguishing between personal edification through unintelligible speech and communal edification through interpreted prophecy, thereby illuminating the early church's emphasis on mutual understanding and building up the body of believers.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Interpretation Of Tongues. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Interpretation Of Tongues in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Interpretation Of Tongues clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Interpretation Of Tongues." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/interpretation-of-tongues/
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