THE INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES

Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown

tongue pray that he may interpret (I Cor. 14:13)

Interpretation of tongues does not mean translating the utterance in

tongues, but rather giving the meaning of what is spoken to God in tongues. If

one interprets an utterance in tongues, he gives the meaning of that utterance. A

person may give a five-minute utterance in tongues followed by a one-minute

interpretation, or a one-minute utterance may be followed by a five-minute

interpretation. Interpretation does not translate word-for-word. It simply gives the

meaning of the utterance in tongues. The interpretation would usually be a prayer

or praise, revealing what is said to God. Oral Roberts, however, enlarges the

meaning of interpretation to include God's response to that which is spoken.

Under this concept, the interpretation of an utterance in tongues could be a

prayer, a praise, a prophecy, a word of wisdom, or a word of knowledge. Howev-

er one may view the gift of interpretation, Paul points out that the utterance in

tongues is always spoken to God, while prophecy is always spoken to man.