Speaking in tongues vs. Praying in tongues/Prayer language/gift of tongues/diverse kind of tongues: What’s the difference?
Speaking in tongues is the same as praying in tongues, a prayer language, a gift of tongues, and diverse kinds of tongues. There is no difference between these terms. They are all different terminologies for the same thing.
Below we are going to look at each individual terminology in comparison to speaking in tongues and we are going to prove through the Bible that they are all the same. Let’s get started.
Speaking in tongues vs. a gift of tongues/diverse kinds of tongues
Speaking in tongues and the gift of tongues, or as Paul puts it in 1 Corinthians 12, diverse kinds of tongues are the same.
For starters, I put the gift of tongues and diverse kinds of tongues in the same section because the real term for the “gift of tongues” is actually diverse kinds of tongues.
In 1 Corinthians 12, when the apostle Paul was listing off all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit he referred to the gift of tongues as “different kinds of tongues” or “diverse kinds of tongues” depending on the translation of your Bible.
“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)
So different kinds of tongues are the gift of tongues and the reason why it is plural is because no one person’s supernatural tongue is the same.
We are all speaking mysteries directly to God while the Spirit is giving utterance, and none of us understand what we are saying unless we receive a divine interpretation.
So now that we got the terminology for the gift of tongues out of the way, what does the Bible say about the gift of tongues and speaking in tongues being the same?
Throughout the book of Acts, we see people receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues.
We primarily see this happening in Acts chapters 2, 10, and 19.
When people receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, we know from Jesus’ words that they are receiving power from on High.
“You shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now…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 1:5 & 8)
This “power” that Jesus was referring to was the manifestation, or gifts, of the Holy Spirit.
When we get immersed (baptized) with the Holy Spirit we are receiving all that He is which includes His manifestations found in 1 Corinthians 12.
So in the instances of chapters 2, 10, and 19 of the book of Acts, we see the manifestation of speaking in tongues happening due to the individual getting baptized in the Holy Spirit.
In other words, when these individuals received Holy Spirit they spoke out the gift of tongues, “or different kinds of tongues.”
“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)
“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.” (Acts 10:44-46)
“When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.” (Acts 19:5-6)
[Related article: How to Receive the Holy Spirit and Speak in Tongues].
Speaking in tongues vs. praying in tongues
When we speak in tongues we are speaking directly to God and not to men.
“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)
This, of course, is prayer. Prayer is nothing more than God and man communicating with one another.
This is why the apostle Paul used speaking in tongues and praying interchangeably.
“Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.” (1 Corinthians 14:13-15)
Notice, Paul uses the term “speaks in a tongue” the same as “pray in a tongue.” He even says that when we speak in tongues our spirit man is praying. (Related article: Praying in the Spirit vs. Tongues: What is the Difference?).
From these few instances, we can see that speaking in tongues is prayer and that the term “praying in tongues” is just a different term from “speaking in tongues” but with the same meaning.
Speaking in tongues vs. a prayer language
For speaking in tongues to be a prayer language we would have to first establish that tongues is (1) prayer, and (2) a language.
Since we have already proven that tongues is prayer in the above section, below we are going to focus on answering the question; is speaking in tongues a language?
Simply put, yes speaking in tongues is a language because it is a form of syllables that are chained together causing our spirits to communicate directly with God. (1 Corinthians 14:2)
In addition to this, the word “tongues” is a synonym for languages. We see these two words being used interchangeably by Bible translators in Acts chapter 2:5-12.
But of course when it comes to the term “speaking in tongues” the Bible is referring to a supernatural language given to every Spirit-filled believer for mystical communication with God. (Mark 16:17 & 1 Corinthians 14:2)
[Related article: Is Speaking in Tongues a (Private) Prayer Language?].
Speaking in tongues vs. prophecy: What is the Difference?
Speaking in tongues is equivalent to prophecy when it is interpreted. Speaking in tongues is inspired speech, by the Holy Spirit, just as prophecy is. The only difference is tongues cannot be understood by natural means, therefore, it requires a divine interpretation.
The apostle Paul made it clear that tongues when interpreted is equivalent to 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)
Notice, Paul said that prophecy is greater than tongues when the gift of tongues is by itself. And the reason for that is no one can understand it. The only person that receives edification is the person speaking.
But Paul also says that tongues is equal to prophecy when it is interpreted. This is why he says, “unless indeed he interprets.” [Related article: Interpretation of Tongues (Common Questions Answered)].
The reason why it is equal is that both tongues and prophecy is inspired speech by God.
We see in Acts chapter 2 that tongues is the Holy Spirit giving utterance to yielded individuals.
“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 we see in 1 Corinthians 14 that prophecy is divine revelation and understanding being spoken out by a believer over another individual or group of people.
“But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.” (1 Corinthians 14:24-25)
I hope you enjoyed this article and that it assisted you in your walk with God.
God bless all of you!
P.S. I have an entire article that does an in-depth study on Speaking in Tongues if you are interested in learning more about this topic. You can read it by clicking the title here: Bible Study/Teaching/Lesson/Commentary on Speaking in Tongues. Enjoy!
