What Does the Bible Say About Speaking in Tongues?
What Does the Bible Say About Speaking in Tongues? Speaking in tongues was a gift of the Holy Spirit enabling believers to speak in known languages they had not learned, primarily for evangelism and edification.
Key verse: Acts 2:4 (KJV)
Speaking in tongues was a gift of the Holy Spirit enabling believers to speak in known languages they had not learned, primarily for evangelism and edification.
Speaking in tongues was a gift of the Holy Spirit enabling believers to speak in known languages they had not learned, primarily for evangelism and edification.
"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." — Acts 2:4 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
At Pentecost, believers 'began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance' (Acts 2:4). These were actual languages understood by the diverse crowd: 'We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God' (Acts 2:11). Paul discusses tongues extensively in 1 Corinthians 12-14. He affirms tongues as a spiritual gift (12:10) but ranks it below prophecy for church edification (14:5). He established rules for orderly use: no more than three speakers, one at a time, with an interpreter; if no interpreter, remain silent (14:27-28). He warned, 'Tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not' (14:22). Paul himself spoke in tongues (14:18) but preferred to speak five intelligible words in church over ten thousand in an unknown tongue (14:19). Christians disagree on whether tongues continue today. Cessationists believe they ended with the apostolic era; continuationists believe they remain active. All agree the Spirit gives gifts as He wills for the church's edification.
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About Speaking in Tongues?
What the Bible teaches about speaking in tongues, spiritual gifts, and their role in the church.
Key Scripture References
"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
"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."
"I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
Who Is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity — fully God, who indwells, guides, and empowers believers.
What Is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the work of Christ placing believers into His body at salvation, empowering them for service and sealing them for eternity.
What Does the Bible Say About Spiritual Gifts?
Spiritual gifts are abilities given by the Holy Spirit to every believer for building up the church, including teaching, prophecy, service, mercy, and many others.
Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?
The Bible presents the resurrection as historical fact, supported by eyewitness testimony, an empty tomb, and transformed lives.
Is Jesus God?
Yes — the Bible teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man, the second person of the Trinity.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
What is speaking in tongues?
Theology & Doctrine
Is Speaking in Tongues for Today?
Theology & Doctrine
What Is Speaking in Tongues?
Theology & Doctrine
Speaking in Tongues
What the Bible teaches about speaking in tongues, spiritual gifts, and their rol
Bible Verses About the Gift of Tongues
10 curated KJV verses
Fear of Public Speaking
Bible verses for overcoming the fear of speaking in front of others.
Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Acts. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Acts on day 309 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Does the Bible Say About Speaking in Tongues?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
Frequently Asked Questions
Keep Going
Continue Exploring Scripture
You've found one resource — here are more ways to go deeper into God's Word.
Today's Verse
Start each day with a hand-picked KJV verse and reflection.
Verses by Topic
Find what the Bible says about love, anxiety, strength, and 500+ more topics.
Bible Miracles
Discover the signs and wonders of God recorded in Scripture.
Angels & Spiritual Warfare
Angels, demons, and the armor of God — what the KJV really teaches about the unseen battle.
Bible Genealogies & Family Trees
Visual KJV family trees — the line of Jesus, the sons of Noah, the twelve tribes, and more.
Women of the Bible
Eve, Sarah, Ruth, Esther, Mary — the matriarchs, prophetesses, queens, and disciples of Scripture.