All tongues are not prayer. For instance, there is the gift of the Spirit called tongues and
interpretation of tongues, which is manifested for the benefit of others.
Then there is the devotional use of tongues (1 Cor. 14:2). "For he that speaketh in an unknown
tongue speaketh not unto men, but UNTO GOD: for no man understandeth him . . ." (1 Cor.
14:2). Here Paul is not talking about diversities of tongues: that is, ministering tongues in a
public assembly as a ministry gift.
Paul is talking about the individual Spirit-filled believer employing the use of tongues in his
prayer life. First Corinthians 14:2 says, ". . . howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries."
Moffatt's translation says, ". . . he is talking divine secrets in the Spirit."
For the believer who is filled with the Holy Ghost, his tongues are given to him to use
constantly in his worship and devotion to God. And worshipping God is a form of prayer.
The Bible says in Acts 10:46 concerning Cornelius and his household when they began to
speak with tongues, "For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. . . ."
Speaking with tongues is a supernatural way to magnify God.
Tongues are also used as a means of spiritual edification. The Bible says, "He that speaketh in
an unknown tongue edifieth himself. . ." (1 Cor. 14:4). The word "edifieth" means to build up.
Greek language scholars tell us there is a word in our modern vernacular that is closer to the
meaning of the original Greek than the word "edifieth," and that is the word "charge." We use
the word "charge" in connection with charging a battery.
A more literal translation of First Corinthians 14:4 would be, "He that speaketh in an unknown
tongue edifies, or builds up, or charges himself like a battery being charged." And that isn't just
for a few of God's children; it is for every one of us. I appreciate this wonderful, supernatural
means of spiritual edification.
Notice that praying in tongues is not mental edification, nor is it physical edification, but it is
spiritual edification. Paul said, "For if I pray in an unknown tongue, MY SPIRIT prayeth . .." ( 1
Cor. 14:14).
The Amplified Bible reads, ". . . my spirit [by the Holy Spirit within me] prays, but my mind is
unproductive ..." (1 Cor. 14:14). So praying in tongues is not for mental edification, but for
spiritual edification.
"For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man
understandeth him ..." (1 Cor. 14:2). Here Paul is not talking about diversities of tongues: that
is, ministering tongues in a public assembly as a ministry gift.
Paul is talking about the individual Spirit-filled believer employing the use of tongues in his
prayer life. ". . . howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries" 11 Cor. 14:2). Moffatt's translation
says, "... he is talking of divine secrets in the Spirit."
The Bible says in Acts 10:46 concerning Cornelius and his household when they began to
speak with tongues, "For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. . . ."
Speaking with tongues is a supernatural way to magnify God.