“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7).
Paying very careful attention to the following phrases from the above scripture is essential; “diversities of gifts”, “differences of Administrations”, “diversities of Operations” and “the Manifestation of the Spirit.”
Simply stated, the Supernatural Manifestations of the Holy Ghost are varied and don’t always look the same. The nine Gifts of the Spirit are all examples of God doing Ministry in conjunction with a Believer.
If there is the Interpretation of Tongues, the Speaking of Divers Kinds of Tongues need to have occurred. The Manifestation of God moving upon the speaker or speakers would be in evidence. Interpretation of Tongues, as do the other Spiritual Gifts, flow from Heaven.
Here is a case in point. The other day I observed two believers discussing a testimony. They belonged to the same Church and had participated together in a prayer meeting. One of the men laid his hand upon the stomach of the other man and prayed in tongues as he was led by the Spirit. Normally this would be a questionable demonstration of Speaking in Tongues, as there was no accompanying interpretation. Both men are English speaking.
A few days later, at a subsequent meeting, the man receiving the prayer in the unknown language thanked the other man for prophesying into his life. The man who prayed was dumbfounded. All he knew is that he had prayed for his friend in An Unknown Tongue. He had been led by the Holy Spirit to do so.
The prayer was heard by the man being prayed for in English. He had heard some very specific words regarding his life, his calling and some family matters. The two of them rejoiced and thanked and praised the Lord for this blessing. This occasion of the manifestation of Tongues is like that of the Acts chapter two Pentecost event. There was the speaking in Tongues and the hearing in one’s own language.
Fundamentally, there was Tongues and there was the Interpretation of Tongues. In both cases it is evident that the manifestation was of the Holy Spirit.
One note regarding the example that we used; in a case where the two subjects are acquainted, there is little need to question the nature of the spirit at work as they were both Spirit Filled Believers.
In the example given, the “administrations” concept leaves room for the speaker to have outpoured the Tongues and given the interpretation, or the recipient of the outpouring could have interpreted, or a stander-by could have interpreted.
From a “diversities” standpoint the same prophetic end could have been accomplished by the Word of Wisdom, the Word of Knowledge or Prophecy. The manifestation of the Spirit would be causal in either case.
“For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; “To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another Divers Kinds of Tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will” (1 Corinthians 12:8-10).
The previous paragraph gives the complete list of the Spiritual Gifts. The Interpretation of Tongues is last on the list. Speaking in Tongues with the Interpretation of Tongues equals Prophecy. It is ministry for edification, exhortation and comfort to the Church.
When there is a demonstration of Speaking in Tongues, there should be the Interpretation of Tongues. It is expected that such Interpretation would accompany the Outpouring by the speaker. The example that we presented shows that the operation must be discerned and sometimes waited for.
The Interpretation of Tongues should be expected when Diverse Kinds of Tongues are presented. Early on in his discussion on Spiritual Gifts in 1 Corinthians chapter 12, Paul says this: “Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” John sums this up by saying: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).
This admonition is given by the Holy Spirit for good reason; “If any man speaks in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God” (1 Corinthians 14:27-28).