Speaking in tongues is not a gift for all

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III


Speaking in tongues is not a gift for all

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,

. 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.
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.
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: