1 Corinthians 14:22
What does 1 Corinthians 14:22 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 14:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 14:22 means
Tongues, in light of the Scriptural pattern just cited, function as a sign primarily for unbelievers, not as a normal means of building up believers. Prophecy, by contrast, serves those who already believe, bringing instruction and encouragement in plain speech. Paul is assigning typical roles, not absolute rules. His aim is to guide the gathered church toward practices that fit their purpose: edification for believers and a clear witness to outsiders. The key is that tongues, by themselves, are not designed to teach the church, while prophecy directly addresses and strengthens the faithful. This sets the stage for evaluating what happens when outsiders enter a tongue-saturated meeting.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to the unbelieving: but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to them that believe.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to the unbelieving: but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to them that believe.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For this reason tongues are for a sign, not to those who have faith, but to those who have not: but the prophet's word is for those who have faith, and not for the rest who have not.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862so that the tongues are for a sign, not to the believing, but to the unbelieving; and the prophesy <FI>is<Fi> not for the unbelieving, but for the believing,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to believers but to unbelievers: but prophecies, not to unbelievers but to believers.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890So that tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to unbelievers; but prophecy, not to unbelievers, but to those who believe.
Context
Building on the citation from Scripture, Paul now states the differing sign-functions of tongues and prophecy. This framing leads immediately into a practical thought experiment: what would an outsider conclude if everyone speaks in tongues versus if everyone prophesies? The contrast will show that un-interpreted tongues confuse unbelievers, while prophecy can convict and draw them to worship. This reinforces the argument for intelligible, edifying speech in the assembly and prepares for concrete order in how the gifts are exercised when the church gathers.
v.21In 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.
v.22This passage
v.23If therefore the whole church be assembled together and all speak with tongues, and there come in men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that ye are mad?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 2:32
This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we all are witnesses.
- 1 Corinthians 14:1
Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritualgifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
- Mark 16:17
And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;
- 1 Timothy 1:9
as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and unruly, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
- Acts 2:6
And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speaking in his own language.
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