1 Corinthians 14:23

Suppose during the worship service everyone started to speak in languages [MTY] that they have not learned. If unbelievers or people who do not know about the abilities that God’s Spirit gives to believers come in and hear that, they will surely think that you are crazy. [RHQ]

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

In Context

22If we speak in languages [MTY] that we have not learned, unbelievers who are there will realize that the Spirit of God is truly among us. That will warn them that they need to fear God. But believers do not need such a warning.

24But if an unbeliever or someone who does not know about those abilities comes in while all of you believers are one by one speaking messages that come directly from God, everything that you say will show that person that he is a sinner and that God will punish him if he does not turn from his sinful behavior.

Read all of 1 Corinthians 14

Cross References

Hosea 9:7It is now the time for Yahweh to punish you, to pay you back for all the sins that you have committed. You people will soon know that. You have committed very many sins, and you very much hate Yahweh. You consider that the prophets are foolish, and you think that those who proclaim messages from him are crazy.

Acts 2:13But some of them ◄made fun of/laughed at► those who believed in Jesus. They said, “ These people are talking like this because they are drunk!”

1 Corinthians 11:18First of all, people have told me that when you gather together as a group to worship God, you divide into groups that are hostile to each other. To some extent I believe that is true.

Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 14:22-26

On Spiritual Gifts. ( a. d. 57.) 21 In 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. 22 Wherefore 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. 23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study 1 Corinthians 14:23