Is it Possible that Paul was talking about mundane earthly languages here? He spoke of other "spiritual" gifts as well. He mentions the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, healing, and in a
separate entry, the gift of the workings of miracles.
Quote:
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1Co 12:7-11 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit to profit withal. (8) For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit: (9) to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit; (10) and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits: to another divers kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues: (11) but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally even as he will.
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My question to you is this:
Why did Paul differentiate between the workings of miracles and tongues?
Isn't it possible that in the Roman world, it was very beneficial to the Body of Christ to have people who knew a variety of languages? If you knew someone in your Church who could speak other languages, wouldn't that be considered a "spiritual" gift just like singing and preaching? How about that person that stands up front and interprets the sermon for the deaf?
Blessings