1 Corinthians 14:22 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
1 Corinthians 14:22 kjv
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.
1 Corinthians 14:22 nkjv
Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.
1 Corinthians 14:22 niv
Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.
1 Corinthians 14:22 esv
Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.
1 Corinthians 14:22 nlt
So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers.
1 Corinthians 14 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 28:11-12 | For with stammering lips and another tongue he will speak... Yet they would not hear. | Tongues as a sign of judgment/warning. |
| Deut 28:49 | The LORD will bring a nation against you from afar... a nation whose language you do not understand. | Foreign tongues as a sign of impending judgment. |
| Jer 5:15 | I will bring a nation against you from afar, O house of Israel, declares the LORD. It is an ancient nation, a nation whose language you do not know. | Similar to Deut 28:49, divine judgment via foreign tongues. |
| Acts 2:6-11 | Each one heard them speaking in his own language... how we hear them in our own tongues the mighty works of God. | Tongues understood by unbelievers at Pentecost, a sign. |
| Mk 16:17 | These signs will accompany those who believe... they will speak in new tongues. | Tongues listed among miraculous signs accompanying believers. |
| Ex 4:8 | If they do not believe you, nor heed the message of the first sign, they may believe the message of the latter sign. | Signs given to attest divine messenger to unbelievers. |
| Jn 4:48 | Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe. | People often seek signs to believe, though not always effectively. |
| Mt 12:38-39 | Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”... no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. | Rebuking sign-seeking without genuine belief. |
| 1 Cor 14:3 | He who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. | Definition of prophecy's benefit for believers. |
| 1 Cor 14:4 | He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. | Prophecy benefits the whole church. |
| 1 Cor 14:5 | I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. | Prophecy prioritized for church edification. |
| 1 Cor 14:12 | Since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. | Overarching goal: edification of the church. |
| 1 Cor 14:23 | If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your mind? | Misuse of tongues repels unbelievers. |
| 1 Cor 14:24-25 | But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever... enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all... and so, falling on his face, he will worship God. | Prophecy's convicting power for unbelievers. |
| 1 Cor 14:26 | Let all things be done for edification. | General principle for all spiritual gifts in worship. |
| Eph 4:11-12 | He gave the apostles, the prophets... to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. | Prophecy contributes to equipping and building the church. |
| 1 Pet 4:10 | As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace. | Gifts are for mutual service and building up. |
| Rom 12:6 | Having gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to faith. | Encouragement to use prophetic gifts. |
| 1 Cor 12:7 | To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. | Gifts are for the benefit of the community. |
| 1 Cor 2:4-5 | My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. | Demonstration of Spirit, including gifts, to foster faith. |
1 Corinthians 14 verses
1 Corinthians 14 22 meaning
This verse states that speaking in tongues primarily functions as a miraculous sign to unbelievers, often serving to highlight God's activity, though not always leading to their conversion. Conversely, prophecy is primarily intended for the spiritual building up, instruction, and encouragement of those who believe. It delineates the differing primary audiences and effects of these two prominent spiritual gifts within the church assembly.
1 Corinthians 14 22 Context
First Corinthians 14 is primarily an exhortation for the proper and orderly use of spiritual gifts in corporate worship, emphasizing that all activities should lead to the edification of the church. The Corinthian church was enthusiastic about spiritual gifts but seemed to prioritize the more outwardly spectacular gift of speaking in tongues (glossolalia) without regard for interpretation or its edifying value. Paul clarifies that love (Ch 13) must guide all use of gifts. He directly compares tongues and prophecy, highlighting prophecy's superiority in the public assembly because it builds up the church. Verses 1-21 establish that intelligible speech is crucial for corporate edification, critiquing uninterpreted tongues as ineffective and even harmful. Verse 22 acts as a concluding summary and scriptural basis (from Isa 28:11-12) for his argument regarding tongues, while also establishing the primary benefit of prophecy. This verse then sets up the vivid comparison in verses 23-25 of how unbelievers react to an assembly where uninterpreted tongues are widespread versus one characterized by prophecy.
1 Corinthians 14 22 Word analysis
- Wherefore (ὥστε - hoste): A strong conclusive particle, indicating that what follows is a logical consequence or summary derived from the preceding arguments (specifically 1 Cor 14:1-21), showing this verse is Paul's firm conclusion on the matter.
- tongues (γλῶσσαι - glossai): Refers to the supernatural ability to speak in languages unknown to the speaker, whether human languages (as at Pentecost) or heavenly/spiritual languages. Here, the focus is on uninterpreted, unintelligible utterance in public assembly.
- are for a sign (εἰς σημεῖον - eis semeion): Means "unto a sign" or "for a purpose of a sign." A sign (σημεῖον) in biblical terms is an extraordinary event or act meant to convey a message, validate a divine claim, or point to a spiritual reality, often miraculous and evidential.
- not to them that believe (οὐ τοῖς πιστεύουσιν - ou tois pisteuousin): Emphasizes that tongues, in their primary function as a sign as discussed here, are not primarily for the edification or understanding of those who already believe. Believers seek understanding and growth.
- but to them that believe not (ἀλλὰ τοῖς ἀπίστοις - alla tois apistois): Identifies unbelievers as the primary audience for whom tongues serve as this miraculous sign, often as an indicator of God's presence, judgment, or an attestation of a divine message. This often carries a warning of judgment (referencing Isa 28).
- but prophesying (ἡ δὲ προφητεία - hē de prophēteia): "But prophecy," a gift of speaking forth God's revealed will or truth in a divinely inspired and intelligible manner, leading to edification, exhortation, or comfort (1 Cor 14:3). It differs from tongues in its direct, understandable content.
- serveth not (οὐ - ou + implied verb "serveth"): Paul is using rhetorical contrast here. It's not that prophecy has no effect on unbelievers (it can convict them, see 1 Cor 14:24-25), but its primary and most direct design or benefit, in contrast to tongues as a sign, is not for them in the same way tongues are a sign.
- for them that believe not (τοῖς ἀπίστοις - tois apistois): Again, unbelievers. The comparative structure means prophecy's primary benefit is not aimed at the non-believing outsider as a 'sign' of divine presence in the same way as tongues.
- but for them which believe (ἀλλὰ τοῖς πιστεύουσιν - alla tois pisteuousin): States explicitly that prophecy's central and primary purpose within the assembly is for the edification, instruction, encouragement, and growth of those who are already believers.
- "tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not": This phrase asserts the evidential function of tongues. While it signifies God's presence, for unbelievers, particularly drawing on the OT example of Isa 28:11-12, it could be a sign of judgment or a bewildering display, not necessarily an immediate path to understanding. It's a miracle designed to arrest their attention, but its message for them isn't inherently clear without interpretation or prophetic explanation.
- "but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe": This contrasting phrase underscores that prophecy's primary role is internal to the church, focusing on building up and strengthening believers through intelligible divine communication. While prophecy can deeply affect and convict unbelievers (as shown in 1 Cor 14:24-25), its inherent and direct purpose is the spiritual growth of the existing community of faith. This sets up the logical and practical distinction Paul wishes to emphasize in corporate worship.
1 Corinthians 14 22 Bonus section
It's important to understand the nuance of "prophesying serveth not for them that believe not." Paul is making a comparative statement. While prophecy clearly has a powerful effect on unbelievers (as illustrated immediately in verses 24-25, where an unbeliever is convicted and brought to worship God), its primary, consistent, and directly-intended benefit of spiritual edification, comfort, and exhortation is for believers. The "sign" nature of tongues for unbelievers, often carrying a message of judgment or a challenge, stands in stark contrast to the direct, clear building-up nature of prophecy for believers. The issue at Corinth was not that tongues lacked power, but that they were being misused and misplaced, making the church seem chaotic to outsiders, thus hindering rather than helping the gospel.
1 Corinthians 14 22 Commentary
Verse 22 serves as a pivotal summary and logical conclusion to Paul's comparison of tongues and prophecy within the Corinthian church. Paul explains that tongues function as a miraculous 'sign' primarily directed towards unbelievers, echoing the Old Testament understanding (Isa 28:11-12) where foreign languages often served as a sign of divine judgment or a call to attention for an unresponsive people. It’s not necessarily a sign that leads directly to their conversion, but an external attestation of God's power. Conversely, prophecy, being understandable communication of God's will, is explicitly for believers' edification, exhortation, and comfort. This does not preclude prophecy's power to convict an unbeliever (1 Cor 14:24-25), but its primary design within the assembled church is to build up and mature the faithful. Paul is not disparaging tongues outright, but correctly reordering their application in public worship, emphasizing that unintelligible gifts must be subordinate to intelligible, edifying communication. This clarifies that gifts should be utilized according to their God-given purpose and effectiveness for the specific audience, prioritizing intelligible spiritual communication for the spiritual health of the community.