Holy Spirit's gift of the Interpretation of Tongues functions only in response to the exercise of the Gift of Tongues.

There has been a lack of understanding, particularly within the Pentecostal movement, on the distinction between the spiritual gift of Tongues (referred to in 1 Corinthians 12:10 and 12:30) which is not for all, and Paul's prayer experience of speaking in tongues referred to two chapters later in 14:18 which is for all.

a consequence, it has been erroneously taught that whereas words spoken in Prophecy address the people, words spoken in Interpretation of Tongues are addressed to God for 14:2 says he speaks "to God for no one understands him...". This is misleading nonsense.

is more than enough evidence in Holy Scripture to show that neither the semantic content nor the grammatical form of words characterise prophetic utterance.

Prophecies are given to us in Scripture which address God, address individuals, and others which simply declare truth without focus on any particular hearer. The hearer, the addressee, does not define the difference between the gift of Prophecy and the gift of Interpretation of Tongues. The Holy Spirit gift of Interpretation of Tongues is no less inspired than that of Prophecy!

Interpretation of Tongues derives its character from the specific nature of the Gift of Tongues exercised, of which it is the interpretation.

In other words, if the language of the Tongues-speaker is characterised by extensive use of idiom in the language in Tongues, the inspired Interpretation of that into the language of the hearers will tend to be more interpretive than a direct translation. Whereas, when the language of the speaker in the Gift of Tongues allows, the Gift of Interpretation is a virtual word for word translation with even the equivalent inflection of emphasis. This is the awesome nature of the Holy Spirit Gift of Interpretation of Tongues!

purpose of this gift is not to smooth over the ruffled feelings of a congregation, disturbed by a voice among them asserting inspiration which they do not understand, by then giving some spiritual truth or encouragement from the intention of the Tongues speaking.

It is given, in response to genuine Tongues speaking, to open the eyes of the congregation to the reality of God's immediate presence and direct inspiration among them.