1Co 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
End of argument
Primary use of tongues:
1 Corinthians 14:21 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.
I. --a sign of judgment to Israel.
This was a fulfillment of prophecy given in Isa.28:11,12. Other nations with other languages would be God's spokesmen speaking forth God's message. How could this be? They were the chosen people, chosen to speak God's message. It was a rebuke to them and a sign of judgment to come.
II. A sign of an apostle.
2 Corinthians 12:12 Truly
the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was
confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
--The gospel was confirmed to the Hebrew Christians by the apostles (them that heard Christ). God bore them witness with signs...and the gifts of the Holy Ghost (and the gift of tongues was one of those signs 1Cor.12:28).
III. A sign of the end of God's Revelation.
1 Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail;
whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
--The question is when?
1 Corinthians 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
--We know in part. NT revelation was in part. They had "part" of God's revelation, that is, the OT. Therefore God gave some the gift of prophesy for a temporary period of time to make up what was lacking in NT revelation. Therefore, "we prophesy in part."
1 Corinthians 13:10 But when
that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
--"That which is perfect" "telios" the neuter word better translated "complete".
When that which is complete is come (the Word of God), then that which is part shall be done away (spiritual gifts). They won't be needed any longer.
A comparison to the spiritual gifts which are temporary.
1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
--How long will faith last?
The object of our faith is Jesus Christ. He is the author and finisher of our faith. When Christ comes we will have no more need of faith.
The same is true of hope.
Romans 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
--Like faith our hope is in Christ. We hope for what we see not. We don't see Christ, but when we see him we will no longer need to hope for him.
Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
--He is our blessed hope. When he comes "hope" will be no longer.
Faith and hope will end at the coming of Christ.
1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but
the greatest of these is charity.
--Love is the greatest for love never fails. Love endures for ever. It will never end.
As for the other spiritual gifts, including tongues, they ended at the end of the first century when God's revelation was complete. Tongues was a sign that the revelation of God was complete.
Yes, it was a sign to unbelieving Jews. But that is not all it was. It was much more than that--so much more that it can be shown conclusively that it is not for today--with overwhelming evidence.
