Lexical Summary glóssa: Tongue, Language Original Word: γλῶσσα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance tongue. Of uncertain affinity; the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired) -- tongue. HELPS Word-studies 1100 glṓssa – tongue, used of flowing speech; (figuratively) speaking, inspired by God, like the evidence of tongues-speaking supplied by the Lord in the book of Acts to demonstrate the arrival of the new age of the covenant (i.e. NT times). [The normative experience of the 120 believers received "tongues (1100 /glṓssa) as of fire" (Ac 2:3) and miraculously spoke in other actual languages, i.e. that they could not speak before (Ac 2:4f). This sign was repeated in Ac 10:46, 19:6 – furnishing ample proof (three attestations) that the Lord had incorporated all believers into Christ's (mystical) body (1 Cor 12:13).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom a prim. root glóch- (projecting point) Definition the tongue, a language NASB Translation tongue (25), tongues (25). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1100: γλῶσσαγλῶσσα, γλωσης, ἡ (from Homer down), the tongue; 1. the tongue, a member of the body, the organ of speech: Mark 7:33, 35; Luke 1:64; Luke 16:24; 1 Corinthians 14:9; James 1:26; James 3:5, 6, 8; 1 Peter 3:10; 1 John 3:18; (Revelation 16:10). By a poetic and rhetorical usage, especially Hebraistic, that member of the body which is chiefly engaged in some act has ascribed to it what belongs to the man; the tongue is so used in Acts 2:26 (ἠγαλλιάσατο ἡ γλῶσσα μου); Romans 3:13; Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:11 (the tongue of every man); of the little tongue-like flames symbolizing the gift of foreign tongues, in Acts 2:3. 2. a tongue, i. e. the language used by a particular people in distinction from that of other nations: Acts 2:11; hence, in later Jewish usage (Isaiah 66:18; Daniel 3:4; Daniel 5:19 Theod.; The ordinary sense appears in Luke 1:64, where Zechariah’s “tongue was loosed and he began to speak, praising God,” and in Mark 7:33-35, where Jesus heals the deaf-mute: “his tongue was released, and he began to speak plainly”. These passages highlight divine sovereignty over human speech and establish the tongue as the bodily instrument through which God-given praise or revelation is voiced. Instrument of praise and confession Scripture repeatedly links the tongue to worship. Romans 14:11 cites Isaiah, declaring, “Every tongue will confess to God,” a promise echoed in Philippians 2:11: “every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” The redeemed tongue becomes a vehicle of adoration, underscoring the call that all language ultimately finds its highest purpose in proclaiming Christ’s lordship. Probe of the heart: ethical warnings The tongue also exposes human fallenness. James devotes an extended warning (James 3:5-8) about its destructive potential: “The tongue is a fire… it corrupts the whole body”. James 1:26; 3:6, and 1 Peter 3:10 echo the necessity of bridling speech. Paul describes unregenerate speech in Romans 3:13: “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” These passages form the biblical ethic that sanctified speech evidences true faith, whereas uncontrolled language betrays inner corruption. Miraculous sign of speech restoration Beyond ordinary healing, loose tongues serve as divine authentication. Zechariah’s regained speech authenticated Gabriel’s prophecy (Luke 1), and the restored tongue in Mark 7 prefigured messianic fulfillment of Isaiah 35:6, “the tongue of the mute will sing.” Such miracles validate both messenger and message. Pentecost: tongues of fire and global proclamation Acts 2:3-11 narrates the inaugural outpouring of the Spirit: “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues” (Acts 2:4). Luke lists Parthians through Arabs hearing “the wonders of God in our own tongues” (2:11), signifying reversal of Babel’s confusion and foreshadowing the gospel’s reach to every nation. Mark 16:17 anticipates the sign: “They will speak in new tongues.” Continuing sign-gift of tongues in Acts Acts records two further Spirit-empowered episodes—Cornelius’ household (Acts 10:46) and the Ephesian disciples (Acts 19:6)—where speaking in tongues openly confirms inclusion of Gentiles and Old Testament believers into one Spirit-baptized body (compare 1 Corinthians 12:13). The Corinthian correspondence: regulation and edification The most extensive treatment occurs in 1 Corinthians 12–14, where Paul: Thus the gift serves corporate edification only when coupled with interpretation, preserving gospel clarity. Significance as a covenant sign Paul calls tongues “a sign not for believers but for unbelievers” (1 Corinthians 14:22), echoing Isaiah 28:11-12. In first-century synagogue contexts, multilingual utterance functioned as judicial sign of impending judgment on hardened Israel while simultaneously inviting belief. Universal worship and missionary scope Revelation repeatedly pairs “tongues” with “tribes, peoples, and nations” (5:9; 7:9; 10:11; 14:6; 17:15), projecting the Pentecost pattern into eschatology. The Lamb’s blood purchases worshipers “from every tribe and tongue” (5:9). The scope underscores the missionary mandate: the gospel must reach every linguistic group before the end (compare Matthew 24:14). Prophetic and apocalyptic judgments Revelation 13:7 pictures the beast’s war “against the saints and every tribe and tongue,” while Revelation 16:10 notes tongues gnawed in agony under divine wrath. These scenes affirm both divine justice and the enduring distinction of languages until final consummation. Pastoral application 1 John 3:18 exhorts believers to love “not with word or tongue but in deed and truth,” binding authentic confession to concrete action. The biblical theology of γλῶσσα therefore commends: 1. Consecrated speech that magnifies Christ. Summary Across the New Testament, γλῶσσα moves from a physical organ to a prophetic conduit, from potential for evil to an instrument of global praise. The promised day approaches when divided languages unite in a single confession: “Jesus Christ is Lord.” Englishman's Concordance Mark 7:33 N-GFSGRK: ἥψατο τῆς γλώσσης αὐτοῦ NAS: He touched his tongue [with the saliva]; KJV: and touched his tongue; INT: he touched the tongue of him Mark 7:35 N-GFS Mark 16:17 N-DFP Luke 1:64 N-NFS Luke 16:24 N-AFS Acts 2:3 N-NFP Acts 2:4 N-DFP Acts 2:11 N-DFP Acts 2:26 N-NFS Acts 10:46 N-DFP Acts 19:6 N-DFP Romans 3:13 N-DFP Romans 14:11 N-NFS 1 Corinthians 12:10 N-GFP 1 Corinthians 12:10 N-GFP 1 Corinthians 12:28 N-GFP 1 Corinthians 12:30 N-DFP 1 Corinthians 13:1 N-DFP 1 Corinthians 13:8 N-NFP 1 Corinthians 14:2 N-DFS 1 Corinthians 14:4 N-DFS 1 Corinthians 14:5 N-DFP 1 Corinthians 14:5 N-DFP 1 Corinthians 14:6 N-DFP 1 Corinthians 14:9 N-GFS Strong's Greek 1100 |
    |