Speaking in tongues is a unique and profound aspect of Christian worship and the experience of the Holy Spirit. The Bible provides several verses that illuminate its significance, purpose, and the impact it can have on both individuals and the church community.
Originating from the day of Pentecost, this spiritual gift serves as a means of communication with God, expressing prayer, praise, and divine mysteries beyond human understanding.
As you explore these Bible verses about speaking in tongues, you’ll discover insights into the role of the Holy Spirit, the importance of love and order in worship, and how this gift can strengthen the church body. These scriptures encourage believers to seek spiritual gifts while also emphasizing the need for interpretation to promote edification in the community.
Bible Verses About Speaking In Tongues
“1 Corinthians 14:2” – The Purpose of Speaking in Tongues
“For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the Spirit he speaks mysteries.” – 1 Corinthians 14:2
More Related Verses:
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.” – Jude 1:20
“He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.” – 1 Corinthians 14:4
“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues.” – Mark 16:17
Also Read: Bible Verses About Success And Hard Work (with Related Verses)
“Acts 2:4” – Speaking in Tongues in the Old Testament
“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” – Acts 2:4
More Related Verses:
“Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.” – Acts 2:5
“And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.” – Acts 2:6
“Joel 2:28” – Pentecost and the Outpouring of the Spirit
“And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.” – Joel 2:28
More Related Verses:
“And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.” – Joel 2:30
“And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” – Joel 2:32
“1 Corinthians 14:18” – Paul’s Teachings on Speaking in Tongues
“I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all.” – 1 Corinthians 14:18
More Related Verses:
“Let all things be done decently and in order.” – 1 Corinthians 14:40
“Yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.” – 1 Corinthians 14:19
“1 Corinthians 12:10” – The Gift of Interpretation of Tongues
“To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.” – 1 Corinthians 12:10
More Related Verses:
“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.” – 1 Corinthians 12:4
“But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” – 1 Corinthians 12:11
“1 Corinthians 14:5” – Benefits of Speaking in Tongues
“I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.” – 1 Corinthians 14:5
More Related Verses:
“Therefore, if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?” – 1 Corinthians 14:23
“But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is judged by all.” – 1 Corinthians 14:24
“Acts 10:46” – Speaking in Tongues as Evidence of the Holy Spirit
“For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.” – Acts 10:46
More Related Verses:
“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” – Acts 2:4
“And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning.” – Acts 11:15
“Ephesians 6:18” – Spiritual Warfare and Tongues
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” – Ephesians 6:18
More Related Verses:
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” – Ephesians 6:17
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” – 2 Corinthians 10:4
“Romans 8:26” – The Role of Tongues in Personal Prayer
“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” – Romans 8:26
More Related Verses:
“And in the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” – Romans 8:26 (NIV)
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.” – Jude 1:20
“1 Corinthians 14:27” – Instruction on Tongues for the Church
“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
More Related Verses:
“Let all things be done for edification.” – 1 Corinthians 14:26
“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
“1 Corinthians 14:29” – The Connection Between Tongues and Prophecy
“Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.” – 1 Corinthians 14:29
More Related Verses:
“But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent.” – 1 Corinthians 14:30
“For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.” – 1 Corinthians 14:31
“1 Corinthians 14:32” – Controversies Surrounding Speaking in Tongues
“And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.” – 1 Corinthians 14:32
More Related Verses:
“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” – 1 Corinthians 14:33
“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
“1 Corinthians 14:22” – Tongues as a Sign for Unbelievers
“Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers.” – 1 Corinthians 14:22
More Related Verses:
“But prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.” – 1 Corinthians 14:22
“And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” – Acts 2:21
“Galatians 5:22” – The Fruit of the Spirit and Tongues
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.” – Galatians 5:22
More Related Verses:
“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:25
“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.” – Ephesians 5:18
“Acts 19:6” – Historical Examples of Tongues in the Early Church
“And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.” – Acts 19:6
More Related Verses:
“And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning.” – Acts 11:15
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” – Acts 1:8
“Colossians 3:16” – Corporate Worship and Speaking in Tongues
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.” – Colossians 3:16
More Related Verses:
“Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” – Ephesians 5:19
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” – Acts 2:42
“1 Corinthians 12:8” – Tongues and the Diversity of Spiritual Gifts
“For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit.” – 1 Corinthians 12:8
More Related Verses:
“To another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit.” – 1 Corinthians 12:9
“But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” – 1 Corinthians 12:11
“Ephesians 5:20” – Cultivating a Lifestyle of Speaking in Tongues
“Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Ephesians 5:20
More Related Verses:
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.” – Jude 1:20
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:23
“1 John 4:1” – Non-Biblical Perspectives on Speaking in Tongues
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God.” – 1 John 4:1
More Related Verses:
“For there are many false prophets gone out into the world.” – 1 John 4:1
“But test everything; hold fast what is good.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:21
“James 3:8” – Speaking in Tongues and Relationship with God
“But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” – James 3:8
More Related Verses:
“With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.” – James 3:9
“For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” – Matthew 12:37
“1 Thessalonians 5:19” – Misunderstandings About Speaking in Tongues
“Do not quench the Spirit.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:19
More Related Verses:
“Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21
“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” – 1 Corinthians 14:33
“Mark 11:24” – The Role of Faith in Speaking in Tongues
“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” – Mark 11:24
More Related Verses:
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” – Hebrews 11:6
“And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” – Matthew 21:22
“Revelation 22:17” – The Future of Speaking in Tongues
“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” – Revelation 22:17
More Related Verses:
“And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.” – Acts 2:17
“And he who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” – Revelation 22:20
“Psalm 119:103” – Life Application of Speaking in Tongues
“How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” – Psalm 119:103
More Related Verses:
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” – Ephesians 6:17
“These words which I command you today shall be in your heart.” – Deuteronomy 6:6
“Acts 1:8” – Testimonies of Speaking in Tongues
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” – Acts 1:8
More Related Verses:
“And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.'” – John 20:22
“And they shall speak with new tongues.” – Mark 16:17
Final Thoughts
Speaking in tongues remains a profound and often debated aspect of Christian spirituality. The Scriptures reveal its deep-rooted significance as a divine gift meant for edification, personal prayer, and a declaration of faith. From the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to the teachings of the Apostle Paul, the Bible illustrates how this gift operates within the body of Christ, serving to bless, build up, and unify believers.
Embracing the gift of tongues requires openness to the Holy Spirit and a willingness to understand its purposes in our lives. Whether in private prayer or communal worship, speaking in tongues is a means of expressing our faith and engaging in spiritual warfare.
As we seek to honor God through this gift, let us also strive for love, understanding, and order within our congregations, ensuring that our practices encourage the growth and unity of the church body.