Let's look at the sister gift to tongues—interpretation of tongues. Remember that the interpretation of tongues is the supernatural revelation by the Spirit of the meaning of an utterance in other tongues. It is not translation of tongues; it is interpretation of tongues.

Interpretation of tongues is the least of the vocal gifts because it depends upon another gift to operate. It can't operate unless tongues have been in operation.

The purpose of this gift is to render the gift of tongues intelligible to the hearers so that the church, as well as the possessor of the gift, may be edified thereby—or may know what's been said.

Paul said, ". . . greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret . . ." (1 Cor. 14:5).

If a person is used regularly in the gift of interpretation of tongues, then when someone else begins speaking with tongues in the congregation, this person should immediately begin to tune into the Spirit. Why? Because God may want to use him or her to interpret the tongue.

Now sometimes, I've just waited on others to interpret, and they've waited on me to interpret. And we lost the interpretation, because we didn't tune into the Spirit!

Well, of course, you're not going to get things from God unless you're on the same frequency, so to speak. That's the reason we don't have an interpretation sometimes when we should.

It is not necessary that everything we utter in other tongues in private should be interpreted or made clear to our understanding. Paul said, "For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful" (1 Cor. 14:14).

So it isn't necessary that everything I pray in tongues be clear to my understanding, because I'm not talking to myself—I'm talking to God. It's clear to God, and that is sufficient.

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.
(1 Cor. 14:2)

Yet it is true that as God wills we may even interpret our prayers! Paul suggests this fact in First Corinthians 14:13-15. And so there may be times, as God desires, that we know what we've prayed. He will give us the interpretation.

If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
(1 Cor. 14:27)

Ministering In Public
In reference to ministering the gift of tongues in public, Paul said, "Let it be by two, or at the most three." These words "two" and "three" that Paul used are personal pronouns in the Greek, which means that Paul was referring to two or three people, not two or three messages.

And, actually, nowhere in these texts is the phrase "messages in tongues." That's just a phrase man has coined to try to explain it.

Paul was saying that if any man (referring to mankind) speak, let it be by two or at the most three! Paul didn't actually say how much for them to speak or not to speak, but he did say, "Let them, two or three, speak and let it be by course." In other words, he was saying that all three of them shouldn't try to speak at once!

To me, this implies that an individual might even speak more than once. I think some other translations would help us understand this better. For instance, I believe Rotherham's translation of the New Testament makes it even clearer that these "three" may speak more than once.

And so I always say this as my advice to any congregation: If three people have already spoken publicly in tongues, a fourth one shouldn't join into that service no matter how compelled he or she may feel.

If something else needs to be said, one of those who have already spoken should say it. That is in good order. The next time, if others are used in tongues and interpretation, then let them participate, and the first three will remain quiet.

Notice that Paul said, "Let one interpret." There's nothing in the Scriptures that would do away with the thought that one may speak with tongues and interpret himself. In fact, one of these who speaks with tongues might also interpret. Paul is just saying that only one should interpret a message in tongues, even if there may be more than one present who could interpret.

Actually, what the Spirit of God is doing through Paul in this passage is letting us know that we're not to have competitive interpretations.

Notice that Paul said, "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every MAN [person] to profit withal" (1 Cor. 12:7). The gifts of the Spirit are manifested through us! The manifestation may not always be the best it could have been. You see, God's Spirit is perfect and the gifts are perfect. But the manifestation of the gifts aren't always perfect, because we're not perfect.

If you read chapter 14, you will notice that Paul is giving this instruction in reference to the use of prophecy, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. Paul admonishes the Church to do things decently and in order (v. 40) and to the edifying of all (v. 26). Paul reminds us that God is not the author of confusion (v. 33). He is saying this in reference to the use — or misuse—of tongues and interpretation.

We know that God is not the author of confusion, but that doesn't mean that the devil was working in those instances where there was confusion. It just means that people were being people. Anything that human beings have something to do with, they can get messed up. But if we'll just learn to stay in the Spirit and go according to the Word, we'll stay right.

Sometimes we need good practical advice along some of these lines. When we are taught about the operations and manifestations of the gifts of the Spirit, it helps us maintain good order. Even folks who come in from the outside who do not understand spiritual gifts are impressed by good order.

We also need teaching in these areas to help us learn how not to grieve the Spirit of God because the Bible tells us to "grieve not the Spirit of God" (Eph. 4:30). There have been times when He has been grieved because people have been irreverent with the gifts of the Spirit.

Lastly, when Paul said, ". . . Let all things be done unto edifying" (1 Cor. 14:26), he was giving us one way to judge what was being said. When the tongues and interpretation are of the Spirit, then they are edifying, inspiring, and blessed.

First published in the Word Of Faith Magazine, (c) by Kenneth Hagin Ministries.Reprinted by permission.