Praying in tongues and the gift of tongues are related, but they are not the same use of tongues. Praying in tongues is personal prayer directed to God for the believer’s edification, while the gift of tongues is a public manifestation of the Holy Spirit that must be interpreted when given to the church.
How Is Praying in Tongues Different From the Public Gift?
Paul describes praying in tongues as communication directed to God.
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. (1 Corinthians 14:2)
This kind of speaking isn’t directed toward other people. The person is speaking to God.
Paul also says:
He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. (1 Corinthians 14:4)
That gives us one of the clearest differences. Praying in tongues can edify the individual believer. The public gift operates for the benefit of the assembled church.
Both involve speaking in tongues, but their purpose and setting are different.
What Is the Gift of Tongues?
The gift of tongues is one of the manifestations of the Holy Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12.
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: (1 Corinthians 12:10)
Notice that divers kinds of tongues appears alongside the interpretation of tongues. In a public gathering, the Holy Spirit may move upon someone to speak in a tongue, and another manifestation of the Spirit gives the interpretation so the congregation can understand what has been spoken.
This is not simply a believer praying privately. It is a public spiritual manifestation that operates for the benefit of others.
The distinction also fits the New Testament pattern: tongues may be used personally in prayer, while a public utterance in the congregation is governed by instructions meant to edify the whole church.
Why Does the Public Gift Need Interpretation?
Without interpretation, the congregation cannot understand what is being said. That is why Paul gave specific instructions for tongues spoken publicly.
If any man speak 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)
Paul did not tell the person that speaking in tongues was wrong. He distinguished between speaking publicly to the congregation and speaking personally to God.
If there is no interpretation, the person is not to address the church in tongues. He may still speak to himself and to God.
That is a major difference between the two uses: personal praying in tongues does not require an interpreter, but a public message in tongues does.
Does Praying in Tongues Have to Be Done in Private?
Not necessarily. The important distinction is not simply whether the believer is physically alone or surrounded by other Christians. The issue is whether the tongues are being used as personal prayer to God or presented publicly as a message for the congregation.
A believer may quietly pray in tongues while other believers are present without expecting the church to stop and receive an interpretation.
But when someone speaks out in a way that addresses the assembled church, Paul’s instructions concerning interpretation and order apply.
So “private” is best understood as personal prayer, not necessarily prayer that can only happen behind a closed door.
Why Does Paul Ask, “Do All Speak With Tongues?”
Paul asks:
Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? (1 Corinthians 12:30)
In that passage, Paul is discussing the differing gifts and functions God places within the body of Christ. Not everyone has the same public ministry or manifestation.
That is why this verse should be understood in its setting. Paul is dealing with the distribution of spiritual gifts in the church, including the public operation of tongues and interpretation.
A personal use of tongues in prayer and the public gift of tongues are therefore not interchangeable simply because both involve speaking in an unknown tongue.
What Is the Simplest Way to Tell Them Apart?
Ask who is being addressed and who is supposed to be edified.
When a believer is praying in tongues personally, he is speaking to God and may be edified himself.
When the gift of tongues operates publicly in the church, the utterance is intended for the congregation and must be accompanied by interpretation so others can receive its benefit.
Same Spirit. Same supernatural utterance in tongues. Different purpose and operation.
That is the difference between praying in tongues and the gift of tongues.
