1 Corinthians 14:23 kjv
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?
1 Corinthians 14:23 nkjv
Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
1 Corinthians 14:23 niv
So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
1 Corinthians 14:23 esv
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 minds?
1 Corinthians 14:23 nlt
Even so, if unbelievers or people who don't understand these things come into your church meeting and hear everyone speaking in an unknown language, they will think you are crazy.
1 Corinthians 14 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 14:1 | Aim at love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. | Desire for greater gifts |
| 1 Cor 14:2 | For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, and in the Spirit he utters mysteries. | Understanding and prophecy |
| 1 Cor 14:4 | The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. | Edification of self vs. church |
| 1 Cor 14:5 | Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than he who speaks in tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may be edified. | Gift of interpretation needed |
| 1 Cor 14:6 | Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophecy, or of teaching? | Gifts need understanding to benefit |
| 1 Cor 14:10 | There are likewise some tongues to be spoken, so great in number, and yet no tongue is meaningless. | Variety of languages/tongues |
| 1 Cor 14:11 | If I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to the one who is speaking, and the one who is speaking will be a foreigner to me. | Communication requires understanding |
| 1 Cor 14:12 | So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, strive to excel in building up the church. | Goal is church edification |
| 1 Cor 14:19 | I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. | Value of understandable speech |
| 1 Cor 14:24 | But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, | Effect of prophecy on unbelievers |
| 1 Cor 14:25 | the secrets of his heart are laid bare, and thus he will fall down at God's feet and worship God, declaring that God is truly among you. | Revelation through prophecy |
| 1 Cor 12:7 | To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. | Purpose of gifts for common good |
| Eph 4:12 | to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, | Body building by gifts |
| Col 3:16 | Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing | Teaching and admonishment |
| Acts 2:4 | And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. | Pentecostal speaking in tongues |
| Acts 2:11 | both Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God. | Tongues as foreign languages |
| 1 Thess 5:20 | Do not despise prophecies, | Value of prophecy |
| Gal 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. | Character of the Spirit's work |
| Prov 25:2 | It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter. | God's ways hidden, man to search |
| Rom 14:1 | Welcome anyone who is weak in faith, but do not quarrel about opinions. | Avoiding offense and division |
| Heb 4:12 | For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. | Word revealing heart's secrets |
| Jer 23:29 | Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? | Power of God's word |
1 Corinthians 14 verses
1 Corinthians 14 23 Meaning
When the whole church comes together in worship, and unbelievers or outsiders are present, the exercise of spiritual gifts, particularly speaking in tongues, can create confusion and lead visitors to believe that the participants are mad. Prophecy, however, benefits unbelievers, offering edification, exhortation, and comfort, thus potentially leading them to repentance and faith in God.
1 Corinthians 14 23 Context
This verse appears in 1 Corinthians chapter 14, where Paul addresses the misuse of spiritual gifts, particularly speaking in tongues and prophecy, within the Corinthian church. The church in Corinth was known for its enthusiastic exercise of gifts, but often lacked order and focus on edification. Paul's primary concern is to ensure that public worship is orderly and beneficial to all present, including unbelievers who might visit. Chapter 14 specifically contrasts the gift of tongues with the gift of prophecy, advocating for prophecy due to its intelligibility and ability to build up the entire community. The presence of visitors, especially those unfamiliar with the faith (referred to as "unlearned" or "outsiders"), is a key factor in Paul's argument for regulated gift-giving in worship services.
1 Corinthians 14 23 Word Analysis
- ἐὰν οὖν (eán oun): "If therefore" or "So if." Introduces a logical consequence based on the preceding arguments about the orderliness and purpose of worship.
- συνέλθῃ (synelthē): "comes together" or "gathers." Refers to the assembly of the church for corporate worship.
- ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ (epi to auto): "to the same place" or "in one place." Emphasizes unity and the physical gathering of believers.
- ἡ ἐκκλησία (hē ekklēsia): "the church" or "the assembly." The body of believers as a collective unit.
- καὶ (kai): "and." A conjunction connecting clauses.
- εἰσέλθωσιν (eiselthōsin): "they should enter" or "come in." Refers to outsiders, specifically unbelievers or uninstructed individuals, joining the assembly.
- ἀφιλομαθεῖς (aphiolomatheis): "unlearned" or "ignorant." Those lacking knowledge, especially spiritual knowledge. It suggests a lack of desire for learning, or perhaps a more general ignorance.
- ἢ ἰδιῶται (ē idiōtai): "or untaught" or "or ordinary people." Refers to those who are not part of the Christian community and have no insight into its spiritual workings. This could also imply those who are simply ordinary people, not initiated into particular mysteries or customs.
- καὶ (kai): "and."
- οὐκ ἐλέγχεται (ouk elegchetai): "he is not convicted" or "he is not reproved/examined." In its negative form, it suggests a lack of internal conviction or a failure to be brought under scrutiny by the assembly's utterances. This contrasts with what happens when prophecy is exercised, which does convict.
- διακρίνεται (diakrinetai): "he is distinguished" or "he is discerned/judged." Suggests that while prophecy helps to discern and judge spiritual matters, unlearned speech (like unintelligible tongues) fails to do this for the outsider. It highlights the lack of self-examination or conviction prompted by such unintelligible speech.
Group analysis of the verse's core contrast:
The verse presents a conditional scenario ("If... and..."). The consequence for the church’s unity and the outsider's experience hinges on whether uncontrolled spiritual utterances occur. The contrast is stark: on one hand, unintelligible speaking leading to the conclusion that believers are mad (verse 23); on the other hand, orderly prophecy convicting and revealing the heart of unbelievers (verses 24-25). The failure to be "convicted" (ἐλέγχεται) and "discerned/judged" (διακρίνεται) by unintelligible speech highlights its inadequacy in communicating God's truth and impact the visitor's understanding and spiritual state.
1 Corinthians 14 23 Bonus Section
The phrase "speaking in tongues" (glossolalia) in the New Testament can refer to either known foreign languages miraculously spoken (as seen on Pentecost in Acts 2) or to ecstatic, unknown utterance requiring interpretation. Paul's argument here primarily concerns the latter when exercised without an interpreter in a mixed assembly, which alienates rather than edifies outsiders. The text highlights that even good intentions or divine utterances need to be communicated effectively to achieve God's purpose in corporate worship, particularly regarding reaching the unchurched. The failure to be convicted or discerned by unintelligible utterances signifies a lack of spiritual engagement by the visitor. Conversely, prophecy allows God's truth to pierce the heart, prompting a response and a confession of God's presence. This verse underscores the missional aspect of church services.
1 Corinthians 14 23 Commentary
The core message here is the practical impact of worship on those outside the faith. While speaking in tongues can be a valid spiritual gift for personal devotion or, when interpreted, for the church, its uncontrolled use in the assembly makes it unintelligible to unbelievers. This unintelligibility leads to confusion, possibly marking believers as erratic or mentally unstable, thereby hindering evangelism. Paul’s emphasis is on edification through understandable means. Prophecy, being intelligible and revelatory, has the power to convict, convict, and convert an unbeliever. The gift of tongues without interpretation is counterproductive in public evangelistic settings, whereas prophecy is an effective tool for God’s redemptive work in bringing people to Himself. The principle is that spiritual expression should aim at clear communication and building up the body, ultimately pointing people to God, not confounding them.