Greek Word Study
Strong's G1100 · The Greek word behind one of the most important signs in all of Scripture.
The Word Itself
The Greek word most commonly translated as "tongues" in the New Testament is γλῶσσα (glōssa), assigned Strong's Concordance number G1100. It appears across contexts ranging from the physical body part (the tongue) to known human languages, to spiritual utterance inspired by the Holy Spirit. Understanding how this one word carries multiple meanings — and how context determines which meaning applies, is key to understanding what happened at Pentecost and why it still matters today.
Like all Greek nouns, γλῶσσα changes form based on its grammatical case and number. These forms appear throughout the New Testament in different contexts.
| Form | Case / Number | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| γλῶσσα | Nominative Singular | a tongue or a language |
| γλώσσῃ | Dative Singular | with / in a tongue |
| γλώσσης | Genitive Singular | of a tongue |
| γλῶσσαι | Nominative Plural | tongues / languages |
| γλωσσῶν | Genitive Plural | of tongues |
| γλώσσαις | Dative Plural | in tongues |
Where glōssa Appears
"They shall speak with new tongues."
Jesus promised this sign would follow believers, not as a curiosity, but as confirmation of the gospel.
"They began to speak with other tongues."
The initial outpouring at Pentecost. The word "other" (heteros) distinguishes this as supernatural utterance beyond their native languages.
"They heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God."
The Gentiles at Cornelius' house spoke in tongues. Peter recognized this as the same gift as Pentecost (Acts 11:15–17).
"They spoke with tongues and prophesied."
The Ephesian disciples, after receiving baptism in Jesus' name and the Holy Ghost, spoke in tongues, completing the Acts 2:38 pattern.
"To another different kinds of tongues."
Paul includes tongues in the list of spiritual gifts, acknowledging varieties of the gift in the church body.
"Even so the tongue is a little member..."
Here glōssa refers to the literal body part, evidence that context always determines which meaning applies.
The same Greek word carries three distinct but related meanings throughout the New Testament. Context, speaker, and audience determine which is in view.
James 3:5–6; also James 1:26
The literal body part, the tongue as an instrument of speech, blessing, or harm. James uses it as a powerful metaphor for the power of words.
God chose the tongue, "the unruly member no man can tame", as the sign of Spirit baptism. When the Spirit takes control of the one part of you that you cannot control, that is evidence.
Acts 2:4–11
At Pentecost, the crowd heard disciples speaking in recognizable human languages (Acts 2:8–11 lists specific regions). glōssa here means a real human language the speaker did not know.
1 Corinthians 14; Romans 8:26
Utterance given by the Holy Spirit, not the speaker's native tongue. Paul distinguishes this from known languages and notes it requires interpretation in a congregational setting.
The consistent appearance of glōssa across Acts, at Jerusalem (Acts 2), at Caesarea (Acts 10), at Ephesus (Acts 19), is not coincidence. It is a pattern. The same gift, using the same Greek word, given to Jews, Gentiles, and the disciples of John. Peter confirmed this in Acts 11:15–17: the Gentiles received "the same gift" as at the beginning.
Paul does not minimize tongues in 1 Corinthians 14. He regulates its use in corporate settings, but explicitly says "do not forbid speaking in tongues" (v. 39). He himself spoke in tongues more than all of them (v. 18). The gift is not optional or exceptional , it is the initial, physical sign that the Holy Spirit has taken residence in a believer's life.
"And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues."— Mark 16:17 NKJV
Read the chapters where tongues appear at every outpouring.
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