The Gift of Interpretation of Tongues: A Guide For Its Use

By Don Bell | ⏱️ 14 minute read

The gift of interpretation of tongues stands as one of the most intriguing and often-misunderstood gifts of the Holy Spirit described in Scripture. This supernatural ability enables believers to interpret messages spoken in unknown tongues into their native language to uplift and encourage the Church, the Body of Christ.

We'll explore the biblical foundations, practical applications, and significance of this extraordinary gift. Whether you're sensing the Holy Spirit's prompting to interpret tongues or simply seeking to understand how this gift operates in today's Church, this comprehensive guide will help you understand how the Holy Spirit works through this gift to strengthen the faith of believers today.

Essential Understanding: What Is the Gift of Interpretation of Tongues? 

What is the gift of interpretation of tongues? Here's my definition of this companion gift to the gift of tongues:

The gift of interpretation of tongues is the God-given ability to bring in one's native language the sum and substance (gist) of a message that's been spoken in an unknown tongue, whether the unknown tongue was spoken by oneself or another person.

Six Misconceptions That Hinder the Interpretation of Tongues

It's important to understand what the gift of interpretation of tongues is not.

• It is NOT the ability to translate or interpret foreign languages.
• It is NOT premeditated, as it's born of the Holy Spirit.
• It is NOT a standalone gift, as it must follow the gift of speaking in tongues.
• It is NOT received by revelation; it's received as the speaker delivers it.
• It is NOT equal to the gift of prophecy.
• It is NOT simply the gift of "interpretation"; it's the gift of "interpretation of unknown tongues."

Clearing up misconceptions and gaining a solid understanding of the gift of interpretation of tongues helps you to exercise the gift effectively.

By confidently delivering a message in an unknown language and then interpreting it in a known language, you can strengthen and uplift fellow believers. Those hearing the interpretation can come into agreement with the interpreted message and offer it as worship to God.

Interpretation of Tongues vs. Prophecy: What Scripture Reveals

Paul explains the key differences between the gift of interpretation of tongues and the gift of prophecy:

Here's where many believers get confused, so let me clarify the basic difference between tongues with interpretation and prophecy.

While prophecy focuses on edifying the Church, the gift of speaking in tongues edifies the individual speaker. HOWEVER, in a congregational setting, when a message spoken in tongues is accompanied by its interpretation, it becomes a powerful tool for building up the Body of Christ.

Since the message in tongues is spoken to God, it follows that the interpreted message is also spoken to God, unlike a prophecy where God speaks to people.

How the Gift of Interpretation of Tongues Operates: The Supernatural Process

Interpreting an unknown tongue you've never heard before is a supernatural action of faith. It's NOT a learned skill as in interpreting a message in a known language.

Your spirit receives the interpretation under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit while bypassing your mind's understanding. The interpretation forms on your tongue and is instantly spoken in your known language.

If you know what you're going to say beforehand, you are not bringing the interpretation supernaturally by faith. The interpretation cannot consist of something you've memorized or meditated upon. It must be 100% inspired by God.

Receiving the Interpretation: Line by Line, Not All at Once

Understanding how the Holy Spirit delivers the interpretation to you will build your confidence and help you recognize when He's prompting you to speak. Also, since an interpretation is not a revelation, you don't receive the entire interpretation at once. It's received line by line, phrase by phrase as it's formed on your tongue and spoken.

The following drawing illustrates my understanding of what occurs when you step out in faith and supernaturally speak the interpretation of a message brought in an unknown heavenly tongue.

Let me explain what's happening spiritually when you step out in faith to interpret an unknown tongue. When a believer speaks the interpretation of an unknown tongue, the Holy Spirit communicates with their spirit, which in turn instructs their brain to speak words of the interpretation in their known language, as the Holy Spirit supplies them.

The interpretation is one the speaker has never heard before, so their mind has no prior knowledge of the words being formed on their tongue. Similarly, listeners have never heard the interpretation before either.

Corporate Worship: Edifying the Church With Tongues and Interpretation

The gift of interpretation of tongues has the power to encourage and inspire others when it's exercised among believers. Both the unknown tongue and its interpretation are inspired by the Holy Spirit. They serve to praise God for His greatness and love.

Hearing the heartfelt words of the interpretation can lift people's burdens and strengthen their faith. It reminds them of God's unconditional love and deepens their heartfelt commitment to live for Christ.

The phrasing of the interpreted message can sometimes resemble King David's psalms, as the same Holy Spirit who inspired David's heart to compose the psalms now inspires the heart of the speaker of the tongue.

Biblical Guidelines: Paul's Instructions for Corporate Use

You might be wondering, "How does this actually work when the Church gathers?" Paul gives us clear, practical instruction. Look closely at 1 Corinthians 14 where Paul shares how the gifts of tongues and interpretation of tongues are used together to edify the Church.

Paul explains, "How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, EACH OF YOU has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification" (1 Corinthians 14:26, emphasis added).

Paul encourages us that every believer can contribute meaningfully when the Church gathers. The Holy Spirit enables each of us to share — whether through a psalm, teaching, tongue, revelation, or interpretation — all working together to edify and strengthen the Church.

For instance, for the edification of everyone assembled, the Holy Spirit might prompt you to share a message in an unknown tongue followed by its interpretation.

The Responsibility to Interpret: Why Every Speaker Should Be Ready

Now, this next point surprises many people, but it's crucial: if the Holy Spirit prompts you to speak a message in tongues during a congregational gathering, you should also be prepared to interpret it yourself.

Paul reminds, "Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. … Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say 'Amen' at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified" (1 Corinthians 14:13, 16–17).

By saying, "pray that he may interpret," Paul encourages those who speak in tongues to also be open to interpreting. This prayer is not for obtaining the gift of interpretation of tongues, since the believer has already spoken in tongues and by the same faith can interpret.

It suggests that you should pray privately in tongues beforehand to build up your faith (Jude 20). Then, when the Holy Spirit prompts you to deliver a message in an unknown tongue, the same faith that enables speaking in tongues can enable interpretation.

When Someone Else Interprets: The Holy Spirit's Backup Plan

But what happens if you're not ready to interpret? What if you're still developing confidence in this gift? The Holy Spirit has graciously provided for that situation.

When the person who delivers a message in tongues is unaware of his or her obligation to interpret, or chooses not to interpret, the Holy Spirit will prompt another believer to give the interpretation.

Who can interpret an unknown tongue? Every Spirit-filled believer can exercise the gift when prompted by the Holy Spirit.

Private Worship: Edifying the Individual With Tongues Only

When praying privately in tongues, interpretation isn't necessary since this form of prayer facilitates direct communication with God. This direct spiritual communion is complete in itself, as your spirit communicates with God through the Holy Spirit, bypassing your natural understanding.

Speaking or praying in tongues in private settings:

• Strengthens your faith (Jude 20)
• Develops your sensitivity to the Holy Spirit
• Enables edification, intercession, and spiritual growth
• Builds confidence in using the gifts of the Holy Spirit

Your private prayer time in tongues is precious and complete as it is. Use the gift of interpretation of tongues only in congregational settings where it serves its intended purpose: to edify the Church by making known the message spoken in tongues to all present.

In a nutshell: Private prayer in tongues is perfect communication with God that requires no interpretation, while public messages spoken in tongues require interpretation to fulfill their purpose of edifying the Church.

How to Interpret Tongues: Practical Steps

Here, we'll explore practical steps and biblical principles that will help you develop and exercise this supernatural ability with confidence and authenticity. This supernatural gift of the Holy Spirit, when properly understood and practiced, becomes a powerful tool for encouraging and uplifting believers.

Step One: Build Your Faith Through Private Prayer

Jude reminds, "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit" (Jude 20).

Start by praying privately in tongues to build up your faith beforehand. Then, when you are with fellow believers and sense the Holy Spirit prompting you to speak a message in an unknown tongue, you can promptly deliver it followed by its interpretation. The interpretation will flow from your mouth, and you'll know it's inspired by the Holy Spirit rather than something you're fabricating.

Step Two: Recognize the Holy Spirit's Inspiration vs. Human Effort

Before we explore the mechanics of how interpretation flows, it's crucial that you understand the difference between genuine Holy Spirit inspiration and well-intentioned human effort.

True interpretation of tongues flows supernaturally through the Holy Spirit's inspiration, instead of from memorized verses or prepared material that might sound good but fails to edify. When we operate in faith and allow the Spirit to speak through us, the message carries His anointing and effectively edifies the Church.

Step Three: Understanding the Word by Word Flow

Once you've built your faith through private prayer and you're sensing the Holy Spirit's prompting, you're ready to understand how the interpretation actually flows from your mouth.

It's helpful to picture an ordinary tissue box when learning how to interpret an unknown tongue. Each time you PULL a tissue, up pops another. Interpreting a tongue is similar in action since the interpretation is uttered one word or phrase at a time as it's received by faith.

Expect the Holy Spirit to start you off with a single word or phrase. Speak it, and another phrase will be given. Speak it, and another phrase will be given, and so on.

For example…

1. PULL: "Our hearts are full of your praises."
2. PULL: "Your goodness and mercy surround us."
3. PULL: "We place our faith in you, Lord."
4. PULL: "You are…"

Continue interpreting until you sense there are no more words and phrases to be added. Then, you will know it's time to stop. If you continue speaking beyond the Spirit's prompting, you'll find yourself tripping over your words and repeating yourself as your mind tries to compensate.

Common Pitfalls: What to Avoid When Interpreting

As you step out in faith to interpret, be aware of these common traps that can hinder the flow of the Holy Spirit's message when you're first learning to interpret.

Be careful not to pressure yourself. Expect the inspired words to come slowly in the first try, and you may find yourself pausing between phrases, as the message is composed on your tongue. The speed of delivery or the number of words spoken isn't what's important; what matters is whether the interpreted message is inspired by the Holy Spirit.

It's also important to note that the interpretation of a tongue is not a word-for-word translation. It's similar to a paraphrase in that it offers the substance, the gist of what's been spoken in tongues. Let's be clear: the length of a message spoken in an unknown tongue bears no relationship to the length of its interpretation.

Understanding Interpretation vs. Translation: A Real-World Example

Let me share a personal experience that perfectly illustrates why interpretation differs from word-for-word translation.

Your Unique Voice: Letting Personality Shine Through

Some speakers who interpret are naturally more verbose in their everyday speech than others, so some interpretations of tongues are longer, while others are shorter, and some will be more flowery in their delivery based on personality. That's because God chooses to speak through our unique personalities, even using our acquired speaking patterns.

God doesn't want you to sound like anyone else when you interpret tongues. Simply be yourself and don't attempt to model your delivery of the interpretation after anyone else. Let your own God-given personality shine through.

Practical Tips for Your First Attempts

Now that you understand the nature of interpretation and how God works through your personality, here's what to expect when you first step out in faith to interpret.

Expect your first attempts at interpreting a message in tongues to be halting and slow. You may find yourself pausing between the phrases, as they are composed on your tongue, but your delivery will improve as you gain confidence through experience.

Take your time to speak clearly and loud enough for everyone in the room to hear the message. Speak confidently in the first person; for example, "God, I praise your wonderful works."

Remember, you are supernaturally interpreting an inspired message that was spoken to God in tongues — only you won't know what the interpretation is until you've finished speaking it, nor will anyone listening.

Maintaining Order: Paul's Guidelines for Congregational Gatherings

While the Holy Spirit prompts believers to use the gifts, Paul provides practical boundaries for exercising tongues and interpretation in congregational settings to ensure order and maximum edification.

The Two-or-Three Rule: Why Paul Sets Limits

Paul suggests, "If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret" (1 Corinthians 14:27).

The two to three messages in tongues can be given either by the same person or by different persons, but each tongue as it's given must be followed by its interpretation. Also, each tongue and its interpretation must be given in turn to avoid the confusion of people speaking over one another.

However, after two messages in tongues have been given either by the same person or by two different persons, and there have been no interpretations, then whoever follows with an interpretation — or a third message in tongues followed by an interpretation — that ONE interpretation serves as an interpretation of ALL previous messages.

Why "two or at the most three" messages in tongues? Paul is likely suggesting that limiting the messages to two or three permits other believers the opportunity to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit and share their gifting, for the edification of the local congregation.

Handling an Uninterpreted Message: Biblical Solutions

Paul instructs, "But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in Church, and let him speak to himself and to God" (1 Corinthians 14:28).

The obligation is on the speaker of the tongue to ensure the tongue will be interpreted by either himself or, if he's not willing, by someone else present who's experienced in interpreting tongues and is willing to exercise the gift.

When a message in tongues is given and the speaker is developing his or her interpretation ability and feels hesitant, a leader experienced in the gifts can lovingly guide and encourage the person to interpret the message. Otherwise, the Holy Spirit will prompt another believer to step out in faith and interpret the tongue.

After two or three messages have been spoken in tongues without interpretation, it's best for someone in leadership to pause further tongue messages. This allows time for the Holy Spirit to work through those present and maintains order in the service.

Distinguishing the Gifts: Interpretation vs. Revelation

Paul says, "If anything is REVEALED to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged (1 Corinthians 14:30–31, emphasis added).

The use of the word "revealed" indicates this verse doesn't have anything to do with prophecy or the interpretation of tongues. Paul is likely referring to one of the revelation gifts: word of knowledge, word of wisdom, or discernment of spirits.

For instance, someone might feel he or she received a different interpretation and say, "I had the interpretation, and it was different." However, the interpretation of a tongue flows phrase by phrase as the Spirit gives utterance, so they could not have known what the interpreted message was unless they had first spoken it.

What others may be experiencing could be a separate revelation from the Holy Spirit that complements the interpreted message and was meant to inspire and bless them.

Spirit-Led Yet Self-Controlled: Your Authority in Exercising the Gift

Paul says, "For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets" (1 Corinthians 14:31–32).

What Paul is saying concerning the gift of prophecy can also be applied to both the gift of tongues and the gift of interpretation of tongues. He's informing us that we are always in full control of our actions. Our spirit is under our control, and we can choose to be obedient to the Holy Spirit's prompting and bring a message of edification, or we can choose not to.

The Ultimate Goal: Supernatural Edification Through the Gift of Interpretation of Tongues

Paul ends his instruction on the gifts of the Holy Spirit with a no-nonsense caution: "If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 14:37).

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are precious tools given to us for building up the Body of Christ. As we embrace and faithfully exercise these gifts, we become more effective in our service to the Lord and His people.

As believers, we cannot fulfill our calling to edify fellow believers and advance the Kingdom of God using our natural abilities alone. We need the supernatural abilities given us by the Holy Spirit.

Knowing how to interpret tongues enables us to deliver divinely inspired words within our local congregation that will edify and bless our fellow believers.

Moving Forward: Your Next Steps in Interpretation

Practicing the gift of interpretation of tongues is a journey of faith, patience, and dedication to serving fellow believers. Continue to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance as you apply these principles in your spiritual walk.

Speaking a message in an unknown tongue followed by its interpretation requires two gifts of the Spirit and necessitates two steps of faith. Each time you exercise these gifts, your measure of faith increases. Your faithful use of these divine gifts not only increases your faith but also brings powerful transformation to both your life and the Body of Christ.

Begin today by building your faith through private prayer in tongues, remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit's promptings in gatherings, and trust that after delivering a message in tongues, He will provide the words of its interpretation as you speak them forth in faith.

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About the Author

Don Bell is the creator of the Kingdom Anointing website and a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ. He shares insights from his spiritual journey to encourage ordinary believers to seek God's Kingdom and walk in the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

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Hi, I'm Don…

It's great to meet you! I'm not a pastor or theologian, but a believer who discovered the power of the Holy Spirit through personal experience. My prayer is that Kingdom Anointing™ will help you — a fellow believer — build your faith, walk confidently in the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, and realize your full potential in the Kingdom of God. Let's discover together what God has in store for you.