What is the singular tongue described as in 1 Corinthians 14?
In 1 Corinthians 14, the singular tongue is described as a sound with no phonetics, unable to be reduced to writing, and merely a guttural utterance that has no pronunciation. The word “unknown” is italicized because translators added it, since they did not know how to handle the singular tongue.
Les teaches that before 1 Corinthians 14, believers are to follow after love and desire spiritual things, not asking for a specific gift, because that is up to the Holy Spirit. The greatest desire should be to prophesy, which means simply speaking the Word of God. Then, in verse 2, Paul writes, “For he that speaketh in a tongue,” and the word “unknown” is italicized, showing it was added by translators. Even the King James translators did not know how to handle the singular tongue, because it denoted a sound with no phonetics, could not be reduced to writing, was just a guttural sound, and had no pronunciation.
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.
More Questions
In 1 Corinthians 14:2, who is a person speaking to when they speak in a tongue?
According to 1 Corinthians 14:2, the one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God, and in the spirit he speaks secrets (mysteries) that not everybody can understand.
What does 'unknown tongue' in the singular mean in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14?
Whenever the term 'unknown tongue' appears in the singular in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 — with 'unknown' italicized because the translators added it — it refers to a bunch of sounds that cannot be reduced to print, sounds that are not phonetic and that nobody can write down.