The interpretation of tongues is noted in 1 Corinthians 12:10 as one of nine manifestation gifts of the Holy Spirit. This gift is a supernatural enablement for one to interpret tongues when they are spoken among Christian believers.

The gift of interpretation of tongues is that which causes tongues to be beneficial for the edification of the church. According to 1 Corinthians 14:26, it is one of the gifts that the Apostle Paul says is necessary for the strengthening of the church. 1 Corinthians 14:13 teaches that if a person is already functioning in the gift of tongues, he should pray that he may also interpret tongues.

According to 1 Corinthians 14, in the corporate gathering, if an individual speaks out in tongues, the church should prayerfully and expectantly wait for an interpretation. If there is no interpretation to the first utterance, and yet a second or even a third utterance is given in tongues without an interpretation, at that point, with the obvious absence of an interpreter, those who speak in tongues should do so quietly. Evidently, either someone is not being responsive in giving the interpretation, or it is not God’s intention to manifest a message through tongues and interpretation at that time.

See also glossolalia