What does the Bible say about speaking in tongues?

Speaking in tongues is one of the most divisive topics in modern Christianity, and I want to approach it honestly and carefully — doing justice to the biblical data without dismissing or overstating what Scripture says.

Tongues first appeared at Pentecost in Acts 2:1-

1. The disciples spoke in languages they had not learned, and the crowd heard them speaking in their own native languages from across the Roman world. This was clearly supernatural, clearly a sign, and clearly served the purpose of proclaiming God's mighty works to an international crowd.

Paul discusses tongues extensively in 1 Corinthians 12-

1. A few things are clear from his treatment:

Tongues is a genuine spiritual gift (1 Corinthians 12:10). It is not the supreme or most important gift — Paul lists it last in 1 Corinthians 12:28 and explicitly says not everyone speaks in tongues (12:30). In fact Paul values prophecy more highly in the context of the gathered church: "the one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets." (14:5).

Tongues in corporate worship require interpretation. 1 Corinthians 14:27-28: if there is no interpreter, the person should be silent in church. Uninterpreted tongues build up no one — they are unintelligible. The governing principle is 14:26: "let all things be done for building up."

Paul also describes a private use of tongues — praying in the spirit — that he personally practised (14:18-19) and values for personal edification, while preferring intelligible speech in the gathered assembly.

The cessationist argues tongues have ceased; the continuationist argues they continue. I think this debate is often more heated than the actual biblical teaching requires. What I am confident of: whatever tongues is, it is ordered, not chaotic; it requires interpretation in public settings; it is not the supreme sign of the Spirit's presence; and it should never divide a church that agrees on the gospel.