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Augustine on the Tongues of Pentecost in English

An English translation of the texts relating to the Christian doctrine of tongues by Augustine, Bishop of Hippo.

Table of Contents

  • Sermons transcribed into writing attributed to Augustine
  • References Untranslated

    • Introduction

    Augustine was one of the most prolific writers on the gift of tongues. This fact is largely due to his attack on the Donatists–a rival and popular African group who felt themselves superior because they remained pure during the Diocletian persecution. Augustine posits that one of their distinctions was speaking in tongues–a sign that they were the true church.

    For more information, go to Augustine on the Tongues of Pentecost.

    The following are English translations of Augustine’s Homilies and texts that relate to speaking in tongues.

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    Augustine on the Tongues of Pentecost

    Augustine 354 — 430 AD.

    An analysis of Augustine’s writings on speaking in tongues.

    Augustine was one of the most prolific writers on the doctrine of tongues. He understood the complexity and varied definitions that surrounded the christian doctrine of tongues. Unfortunately, he did not attempt to simplify the matrix of explanations. Nor does he outrightly endorse a specific position. Regardless of this problem, his writings reveal vital clues about the christian doctrine of tongues and its progression.

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    Aquinas on Tongues: I Corinthians 14:27-33

    A translation of Thomas Aquinas on I Corinthians 14:27-33 from the Latin into contemporary English.

    Translated from the Latin text: Reportationes 088 R1C cp 14 Pg. 390 lc6

    I Corinthians 14:27–33

    The Apostle maps out here how they ought to conduct themselves in regards to the gift of tongues. In respect to this, he does it in two ways. With the first he shows in which they ought to utilize the gift of tongues. With the second when they ought to cease from [its] use. In that place it says, “But if there will be no [interpreter], etc.” he then says, with the first, that the manner in which the gift of tongues ought to be applied is to be such among you that “If any,” which is if someone should speak in a tongue, that is he is going to narrate visions or dreams, of such things, a speech probably cannot be done by many on account of the occupation of time in tongues and no place remains for the prophets and generates confusion but, “Let it be by two,” that is by two persons, and if necessary it ought to have been done according to “the most three,” that it should be enough at three.

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    Aquinas on Tongues: I Corinthians 14:23-26

    A translation of Thomas Aquinas on I Corinthians 14:23 — 26 from the Latin into contemporary English.

    Translated from the Latin text: Reportationes 088 R1C cp 14 Pg. 389ff lc5

    I Corinthians 14:23 – 26

    A gloss suggests that perhaps in this place a different reason commences for making clear the purpose. But according to what has been written, it is not, except for one reason which has been settled and as it were, he is in the middle of his argument, namely that prophecy is more valuable than that to which the gift of tongues is ordained for.

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    Aquinas on Tongues: I Corinthians 14:13-17

    A translation of Thomas Aquinas on I Corinthians 14:13-17 from the Latin into contemporary English.

    Translated from the Latin text: Reportationes 088 R1C cp 14 Pg. 388 lc3

    I Corinthians 14: 13 – 17

    1C3. The Apostle above demonstrated the excellency of the gift of prophecy over the the gift of tongues by having taken up the rationale by reason of exhortation’s function. In fact he showed the same thing by reason of the function of prayer. For we perform these two things by means of a language, namely prayer and exhortation.1

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