“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them — the filling (pleroo) is complete saturation with the Spirit's presence and power. Speaking in other tongues (heteros glossai, foreign/different languages) is the immediate evidence and expression of Spirit-filling; glossolalia functions here as intelligible speech, reverting the Babel-confusion (Gen. 11). The Spirit enables (didomi, give/grant) both the capacity and the utterance.
Church Fathers on Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:4 For, that the effect may not be to frighten only, therefore is it both with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. And began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Matthew 3:11 They receive no other sign, but this first; for it was new to them, and there was no need of any other sign. And it sat upon each of them, says the writer. Observe now, how there is no longer any occasion for that person to grieve,…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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