1 Corinthians 14:21
What does 1 Corinthians 14:21 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 14:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 14:21 means
Paul cites Scripture to show that God once spoke to his people through foreign tongues as a form of judgment, yet they did not listen. The reference recalls times when unintelligible speech signaled covenant warning rather than blessing. This background helps explain why tongues, without understanding, do not necessarily lead hearers to faith. The point is not to equate all tongues with judgment, but to reveal their limited role as a sign that may not produce obedience. The citation supports Paul’s case that intelligible prophecy is better for the church, while tongues by themselves may function as a sign that leaves the disobedient unmoved.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000In the law it is written, By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers will I speak unto this people; and not even thus will they hear me, saith the Lord.
KJV
King James Version · 1611In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901In the law it is written, By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers will I speak unto this people; and not even thus will they hear me, saith the Lord.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949In the law it is said, By men of other tongues and by strange lips will my words come to this people; and not even so will they give ear to me, says the Lord.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862in the law it hath been written, that, `With other tongues and with other lips I will speak to this people, and not even so will they hear Me, saith the Lord;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752In the law it is written: In other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people: and neither so will they hear me, saith the Lord.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890It is written in the law, By people of other tongues, and by strange lips, will I speak to this people; and neither thus will they hear me, saith the Lord.
Context
After calling for mature thinking, Paul anchors his counsel in Scripture, drawing on an example where foreign speech signified divine warning that went unheeded. This sets theological context for the next verse, which assigns sign-functions to tongues and prophecy. The flow is moving from principle and prudence to biblical precedent and application. Understanding this background equips the reader to grasp why the presence of uninterpreted tongues in the assembly might not help unbelievers, and could even reinforce their hardness, whereas clear prophetic speech can pierce the conscience and prompt true worship.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 28:11
Nay, but bymen of strange lips and with another tongue will he speak to this people;
- Jeremiah 5:15
Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith Jehovah: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.
- Deuteronomy 28:49
Jehovah will bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand;
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