γλῶσσα

The Greek noun glōssa primarily refers to the tongue, the organ in the mouth. In a literal sense, it denotes the physical tongue, as seen in passages where it describes the tongue gnawed in pain (Revelation 16:10) or needing to be bridled (James 1:26). The semantic range of glōssa extends to encompass various languages or dialects. This broader meaning is particularly evident in the New Testament when referring to speaking in "tongues," which often carries the implication of a supernatural ability to communicate in unlearned languages or divinely inspired utterances.

In the context of the New Testament, especially in the book of Acts and Paul’s letters to the Corinthians, glōssa frequently describes the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues. This phenomenon involved speaking in languages unknown to the speaker, for the purpose of communicating the wonders of God. The reception of this gift, along with its interpretation, played a significant role in the early Christian community. While some instances portray speaking in tongues as an intelligible foreign language (Acts 2:4-11), other passages within 1 Corinthians suggest a form of utterance that required interpretation to be understood by the community (1 Corinthians 14:2, 13).

The theological weight of glōssa, particularly in its use for "tongues," relates to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the diverse manifestations of spiritual gifts within the church. It highlights the direct work of God in empowering believers for worship, evangelism, and edification, though always in a way that should contribute to the order and understanding of the gathered assembly. Furthermore, the concept of every "tongue" confessing Christ (Philippians 2:11) and the redeemed from every "tongue" worshipping God (Revelation 5:9, 7:9, 10:9) underscores the universal scope of God's salvation and the global recognition of His sovereignty.