وجبـــــــة روحيـــــ(†)ــــــــــة يوميـــــــــة

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III




We have seen from the aforementioned that God “distributes to each one individually as He wills” (1Cor.12: 11); “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us” (Rom.12: 6) and “as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith” (Rom.12: 3).
With regard to the gift of Speaking in tongues, the Apostle plainly says: “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of hearings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?” (1Cor.12: 29,30) It is clear from this passage that the gift is not for all,

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III





. Therefore even at the time of the Apostles it was not necessary for every believer to receive the gift of Speaking in tongues which was not an essential sign to prove the descent of the Holy Spirit upon a person. A man can be a saint even though he does not speak with tongues.

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III




God knows when to give gifts and the reason of giving them. He gave the gift of Speaking in tongues abundantly at the time of the Apostles, the beginning of preaching for the sake of edifying, because it was essential at the time.

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III




Speaking in tongues is not necessary in every age. The Holy Bible says concerning this: “Whether there are tongues, they will cease” (1Cor.13: 8). Even in the era of the Apostles there were conditions for Speaking in tongues. We read some of these conditions in chapter fourteen of the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III




Speaking in tongues should be for edifying the church

The most important word which characterises the chapter about the gift of Speaking in tongues (1Cor.14), is the word edifying. The Apostle mentions it many times and emphasises it. He says explicitly: “Let all things be done for edification” (1Cor.14: 26) and “Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel” (1Cor.14: 12).
For the sake of edifying the church, the Apostle says that "he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues” (v.5) because “he who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church” (v.4). The word prophesy at that time also meant teaching. The Apostle prefers prophesying because “he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men” (v.3).

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III




Speaking in tongues should be interpreted

The Apostle says: “Therefore Jet him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret” (v.13), and adds “But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church” (v.28). The Apostle's reason is obvious: the edification of the church. He says: “...unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification” (v.5). If this edification is not achieved, he should keep silent, and the phrase ‘keep silent’ is an Apostolic command. Therefore he who speaks in a tongue must either speak for the edification of the church or keep silent.
The presence of an interpreter is a testimony that the Speaking in tongues is sound. Thus the gift of tongues is given to two persons simultaneously. One is the speaker and the other the interpreter. Consequently, the Biblical verse: “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established” (2Cor.13: 1), is applied. If speaking in a tongue is without interpretation, what is its use? What is its use if all present do not understand the language?

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III





What is the meaning of 'edifies himself’?

To ‘edify himself’ is to be in a certain spiritual state of the descent of the Ho y Spirit, which is beneficial for the individual's edification. There are two remarks mentioned by St. Paul about this state. They are:
(a) The person should keep silent just as in any private spiritual state between oneself and God. The Apostle says: “...let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God” (v.28). It is a matter between him and God, more suitable for him to stay in his closet and not in church in front of people. Thus speaking in a tongue will be a kind of prayer. Even so:
(b) The mind will be unfruitful; it is just a work of the spirit. The Apostle says: “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful” (v.14). The Apostle could see that this state should be completed by understanding. The person should pray in spirit and also with understanding; sing in spirit and also with understanding. Although the Apostle mentions the phrase ‘edifies himself’ very cautiously and with remarks, and points out that it is not a complete edification, yet for the sake of edification he says: “I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue” (vv.18, 19).
Therefore there is no need for people to strive with all their might to speak with tongues, believing that this is a great achievement.
If this is the case of Speaking in tongues as a gift of the Holy Spirit, what then shall we say when some people claim to speak with tongues and we are not certain of the genuineness of their claim?

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III




To ‘edify himself’ is to be in a certain spiritual state of the descent of the Ho y Spirit, which is beneficial for the individual's edification. There are two remarks mentioned by St. Paul about this state. They are:
(a) The person should keep silent just as in any private spiritual state between oneself and God. The Apostle says: “...let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God” (v.28). It is a matter between him and God, more suitable for him to stay in his closet and not in church in front of people. Thus speaking in a tongue will be a kind of prayer. Even so:

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III




The mind will be unfruitful; it is just a work of the spirit. The Apostle says: “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful” (v.14). The Apostle could see that this state should be completed by understanding. The person should pray in spirit and also with understanding; sing in spirit and also with understanding. Although the Apostle mentions the phrase ‘edifies himself’ very cautiously and with remarks, and points out that it is not a complete edification, yet for the sake of edification he says: “I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue” (vv.18, 19).

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III





Therefore there is no need for people to strive with all their might to speak with tongues, believing that this is a great achievement.
If this is the case of Speaking in tongues as a gift of the Holy Spirit, what then shall we say when some people claim to speak with tongues and we are not certain of the genuineness of their claim?