Translation

 

DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

TRANSLATION

1 Cor 12:7-11

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.   11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

NIV

Now to the last of these nine gifts of the Spirit enumerated for us here in this letter by Paul to the Corinthians. The gift of the interpretation of the various tongues. This makes it clear that the tongues which are spoken, or the words that are uttered by someone who the Holy Spirit in manifesting the gift of tongues through are words that no one can understand and thus in need of an interpretation or as the Greek word here means translation. This also makes it clear these gifts are completely different from what happened on the Day of Pentecost. On that day, the disciples were filled with or baptized with the Spirit, and for the purpose of receiving power to be His witness throughout the world. They spilled out into the streets of Jerusalem each speaking a language not naturally learned, but they all were speaking different tongues, however, languages that were known to other people visiting Jerusalem because it was the Day of Pentecost. For the Jewish people this marks the fiftieth day after the Passover and marks the conclusion of the Passover season, this is why there were so many visiting Jews from other lands that spoke different languages, and each heard the disciples speaking and praising God in their own language. So although it was unknown to the disciples, it was known by others and in no need of a translation, or interpretation. So then this gift of the Spirit is entirely a different type of unknown language, not known by any human and thus in need of an interpretation. However, again jumping ahead, Paul makes sure that this interpretation is of what the person who the Spirit manifests His gift of tongues through is speaking to God, and not to men. So then this interpretation is of what a person is saying or praying to God and this would again have to be in a corporate situation so it would be for the common good, that is, everyone would be build-up by what was spoken to God through this unknown language because it has to always be accompanied by the interpretation, so that all may know. Paul also says this is a sign to unbelievers, so they may believe. The point of all these gifts are of the Spirit and He is the one and the only one who determines as to when, where, and to whom He manifests them, we only need to be sensitive to the Spirit.