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Private Prayer language
- Thread starter Salty
- Start date
Kai
Active Member
I think the key question is whether Scripture actually distinguishes between a public gift of tongues and a private prayer language.
Paul certainly discusses tongues in 1 Corinthians 12–14, but he also emphasizes that tongues must be understood and interpreted for the church to be edified. I don't see a clear biblical basis for treating tongues as a separate, private prayer language.
In fact, Paul's emphasis seems to be on intelligibility and building up the body of Christ.
Paul certainly discusses tongues in 1 Corinthians 12–14, but he also emphasizes that tongues must be understood and interpreted for the church to be edified. I don't see a clear biblical basis for treating tongues as a separate, private prayer language.
In fact, Paul's emphasis seems to be on intelligibility and building up the body of Christ.
Ascetic X
Well-Known Member
Paul certainly wants tongues to be interpreted when they occur in a church setting, otherwise the tongues speaker should be quiet and speak in tongues to God, without disturbing the church with unknown languages. That would be a silent private prayer language. Or it could be spoken out loud, but at home, in private.
These verses describe both public and private speaking in tongues.
1 Corinthians 14:27,28
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
I Corinthians 14:2
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
Ben1445
Well-Known Member
So why would Paul mention it?
So this strange doctrine of babbling at home should not be supported by this text.
It should at home too.
1 Corinthians 14:15
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
That is no other. It doesn’t mean himself.
Kai
Active Member
I think that's a reasonable point, and I agree that Paul does distinguish between speaking in tongues publicly and speaking privately to God.
I would only be cautious about making the distinction between the two more definitive than the text does. In 1 Corinthians 14:28, Paul certainly allows the person to speak to himself and to God when there is no interpreter. The question is whether he's describing a separate gift of private prayer language or simply regulating the exercise of the same gift within the church.
I think there's room for discussion there, and I wouldn't dismiss the possibility outright.
Ascetic X
Well-Known Member
Some people quarrel with 1Corinthians 14, calling speaking in tongues “babbling”.
I feel that, even if someone is turned off by how some charismatics operate alleged or actual spiritual gifts, it is good to maintain a reverential attitude toward the things of God, and not use mocking language.
I feel that, even if someone is turned off by how some charismatics operate alleged or actual spiritual gifts, it is good to maintain a reverential attitude toward the things of God, and not use mocking language.
A woman taught a women's bible study for years. One day this topic came up and she said that twice, when praying, she experienced this herself.
Her account was that she was alone and had been in prayer for some time. She did not start praying with the intention of "tongues" and had not grown up in a church where it was practiced. The result, from her account, was a spiritual experience which provided strength and comfort but was difficult to put into words.
Anyway, the ultimate result was that having confessed to experiencing praying in tongues two times she was banned from teaching the women's group she had taught for so many years.
Her account was that she was alone and had been in prayer for some time. She did not start praying with the intention of "tongues" and had not grown up in a church where it was practiced. The result, from her account, was a spiritual experience which provided strength and comfort but was difficult to put into words.
Anyway, the ultimate result was that having confessed to experiencing praying in tongues two times she was banned from teaching the women's group she had taught for so many years.
Ben1445
Well-Known Member
gibberish tongues or legitimate languages tongues?
Ben1445
Well-Known Member
Explain to me please why Paul’s conclusion is that he should pray with understanding if understanding is unnecessary?
1 Corinthians 14:15
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
1 Corinthians 14:15
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
Mike B
Active Member
My sincere apologies, as in no way did I mean to offend, and certainly not to mock.
I've only heard someone speak that way once, and I felt that word best described the
words/sounds they spoke with.
I am not sure if this answers your question, but in 1 Corinthians 14 Paul explains that one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries and edfies himself (spiritual growth), and Paul wishes all spoke in tongues. He explains that one praying in tongues is his spirit praying.
In that context, the conclusion is that both are proper but in their given place. Paul will pray with the spirit and pray with understanding. But one prays in "tongues" (in the spirit) in private as it is spiritial edification rather than cognitive edification. Both are important but each has its place (one is private, between the individual and God).
@Salty
I am not sure if this is what you mean in the OP, but I have been in prayer and part of that prayer was "groanings" rather than words. I guess the best way to say this is I was praying and lacked the words.
I suppose most of us have experienced this. It is not like charismatic blabbering in confusion but rather our spirit expresding what our mind cannot.
This is how I view private "prayer language".
I am not sure if this is what you mean in the OP, but I have been in prayer and part of that prayer was "groanings" rather than words. I guess the best way to say this is I was praying and lacked the words.
I suppose most of us have experienced this. It is not like charismatic blabbering in confusion but rather our spirit expresding what our mind cannot.
This is how I view private "prayer language".
Regarding the Baptist Press article Salty linked to in the OP to try to support his pronouncements of what "most of us" versus "some" believe...
There was a follow up article with actual data from Lifeway Research:
"NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–A new study by LifeWay Research on the use of private prayer language indicates that half of Southern Baptist pastors believe the Holy Spirit gives some people a special language to pray to God."
"The study was conducted by phone survey to...405 Southern Baptist (SBC) senior pastors"
There was a follow up article with actual data from Lifeway Research:
"NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–A new study by LifeWay Research on the use of private prayer language indicates that half of Southern Baptist pastors believe the Holy Spirit gives some people a special language to pray to God."
"The study was conducted by phone survey to...405 Southern Baptist (SBC) senior pastors"
Armchair Apologist
Well-Known Member
Go back and look at the scriptures you have cited and tell me where it mentions you praying in an "Unknown tongue."
15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
Praying or singing in the spirit does not mean you are babbling on about something that you yourself have no understanding of what you are saying.
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?
I believe this verse makes it clear that he is NOT praying or singing in an unknown tongue.
Armchair Apologist
Well-Known Member
I agree 100%. This is a simple reading and understanding of the text.
Armchair Apologist
Well-Known Member
Just shows me that 57% of the people who were polled are biblically illiterate!
Armchair Apologist
Well-Known Member
Paul also makes it clear that he who speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself. How can one be edified if they themselves do not know what it is they are saying?
Tongues are languages - perhaps unknown to one particular group but one that is a spoken language somewhere in the world. Why would the Holy Spirit give unction to speak in a tongue that no one around them was able to understand? I believe this question is implicit throughout 1 Cor 14 and is almost rhetorical in nature.