Bible Verses About Speaking in Tongues

Bible passages about speaking in tongues, spiritual gifts, and the debate between cessationism and continuationism.

King James Version
2For 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 Corinthians 14:2
5I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
1 Corinthians 14:5
18I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
1 Corinthians 14:18-19
27If 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. 28But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
1 Corinthians 14:27-28
39Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
1 Corinthians 14:39
4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:4
46For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Acts 10:46
6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Acts 19:6
17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Mark 16:17
10To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
1 Corinthians 12:10
8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
1 Corinthians 13:8

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about speaking in tongues?

Acts 2:4 records the first occurrence at Pentecost, where believers spoke in known foreign languages. Paul discusses tongues extensively in 1 Corinthians 12-14, listing it as a spiritual gift while providing guidelines for its use in worship: interpretation must accompany public tongues-speaking, and orderliness should prevail.

Are tongues still active today or have they ceased?

Cessationists believe tongues and certain miraculous gifts ended with the apostolic era, citing 1 Corinthians 13:8 ('tongues shall cease') and arguing that these gifts served to authenticate the apostles and establish the early church. Continuationists believe all spiritual gifts remain active today, pointing to the lack of a clear biblical cessation date and the ongoing experience of millions of Christians worldwide.

Is speaking in tongues required as evidence of the Holy Spirit?

Pentecostal traditions often teach that tongues is the initial physical evidence of Spirit baptism, based on patterns in Acts 2, 10, and 19. Other traditions note that Paul asked 'Do all speak with tongues?' (1 Corinthians 12:30) implying not everyone receives this gift. Most Christians agree the Holy Spirit's presence is evidenced primarily by the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).