Is There A Private Prayer Language? (1 Corinthians 14:2)

February 25, 2020

Listener: I hope all is well Brother! You have helped me tremendously in the past with my bible questions and I was hoping you could help me again regarding the topic of speaking in tongues. So I was having a conversation with someone who believes in speaking in tongues and I was referencing what you said in your videos regarding the scripture 1 Cor. 13:1 "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels; and I explained your  swimming in the waters of sharks and of dolphins analogy and this did make sense to him, but he asked me how do I reconcile the scripture "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." He used this scripture (specifically the part where it says the spirit speaketh mysteries) to prove there is a private prayer language. What would your response or rebuttal be to this?

Thanks again for your assistance and I pray God continues to bless you, your family, and ministry! Take care Brother!

Peace and Blessings in Christ,

TTR: The answer to verse 2 is found in verses 3-4.

1 Corinthians 14:
2 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.
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

If someone came into your English speaking church who spoke Aramaic, their tongue (Language) would be "unknown" to you and the people of your assembly. That's the reason "no man understandeth him;"

Because whatever preceded out of his mouth would be "mysteries" to the entire English speaking congregation. An Aramaic speaking person in a English speaking assembly could not provide any "exhortation, and comfort" to anyone.

And is why Paul wrote, "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself;"

Only himself and God would know what was being said, and would not be edifying to anyone else. It would cause confusion and the man would only "edifieth himself;" 

Happy to help my brother!

GraceRightlyAppliedChangesEverything