1 Corinthians 14:24 kjv
But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
1 Corinthians 14:24 nkjv
But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.
1 Corinthians 14:24 niv
But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all,
1 Corinthians 14:24 esv
But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all,
1 Corinthians 14:24 nlt
But if all of you are prophesying, and unbelievers or people who don't understand these things come into your meeting, they will be convicted of sin and judged by what you say.
1 Corinthians 14 24 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Corinthians 14:9 | "so do you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air." | Unclear speech confuses |
| 1 Corinthians 14:11 | "But if I do not know the meaning of the voice, I shall be a foreigner to one who speaks, and the one who speaks will be a foreigner to me." | Foreignness through unknown language |
| 1 Corinthians 14:13 | "Therefore, let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret." | Prayer for interpretation |
| 1 Corinthians 14:19 | "however, in the church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue." | Preference for intelligible speech |
| 1 Corinthians 14:22 | "Thus tongues are for a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is for not for unbelievers but for believers." | Tongues as a sign for unbelievers |
| 1 Corinthians 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 minds?" | Impact of uninterpreted tongues on outsiders |
| Acts 2:4 | "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit was giving them utterance." | Pentecost experience of tongues |
| Acts 10:46 | "For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God." | Gentiles speaking in tongues |
| 1 Thessalonians 5:20 | "do not despise prophecies." | Respect for prophecy |
| 1 Corinthians 1:23 | "but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and a place of stumbling to Gentiles." | Offense of the gospel message |
| Isaiah 28:11-12 | "No, but by people of uncircumcised lips and of another language will he speak to this people, to whom it has been said, ‘This is rest, let us cause the weary to rest,’ and, ‘This is the Fountain of water.’ But they will not listen." | Foreign language as judgment |
| Romans 10:14 | "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?" | Hearing and believing |
| Mark 16:15 | "And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation." | The Great Commission |
| 1 Corinthians 14:3 | "On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort." | Purpose of prophecy |
| 1 Corinthians 14:4 | "The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church." | Self-edification vs. Church edification |
| Ephesians 4:29 | "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." | Edifying speech |
| Colossians 4:6 | "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." | Gracious and wise speech |
| Romans 15:2 | "Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up." | Pleasing others for their good |
| Matthew 13:15 | "For this people’s heart has become dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and they have closed their eyes, lest they should perceive with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I should heal them." | Hardened hearts hindering understanding |
| Philippians 1:10 | "that you may discern what is best, and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ." | Discerning what is best |
1 Corinthians 14 verses
1 Corinthians 14 24 Meaning
This verse states that when the whole church gathers, if unbelievers or outsiders come in, the gift of tongues, without interpretation, can make them think the believers are mad. It highlights the potential for the uncontrolled or uninterpreted use of spiritual gifts, particularly speaking in tongues, to be counterproductive in evangelism and communal worship, leading to confusion and a negative perception by those unfamiliar with the practice. The ultimate aim of such gatherings, as stressed throughout the chapter, is edification and a clear message to all present.
1 Corinthians 14 24 Context
1 Corinthians chapter 14 is situated within Paul's broader discussion in the letter about the proper use of spiritual gifts in the church at Corinth. The Corinthian church was experiencing a pronounced emphasis on the spectacular gifts, particularly speaking in tongues, leading to disorder and disunity. Paul's aim in this chapter is to regulate these practices for the edification of the entire community and to ensure that worship is orderly and intelligible. He contrasts prophecy, which edifies others directly, with tongues, which primarily edifies the speaker unless interpreted. This specific verse, verse 24, directly addresses the consequence of unrestrained tongue-speaking when outsiders are present.
1 Corinthians 14 24 Word Analysis
- ἐὰν (ean): If (A common conditional particle).
- οὖν (oun): Therefore; then (Connects the argument to previous points, specifically verse 23's conditional).
- συνέλθῃ (snelthē): Comes together (Third person singular subjunctive of
sneslō– to come together, assemble). Refers to the assembly of the church. - ὅπου (hopou): Where; when (Used here temporally, indicating a specific occasion).
- ἄπαντες (apantes): All (The entirety of those present, emphasizing universal participation).
- λαλῶσιν (lalōsin): Speak (Third person plural present active subjunctive of
laléō– to speak, talk, utter). Indicates a continuous or habitual action of speaking. - γλώσσαις (glōssais): Tongues (Dative plural of
glōssa– tongue, language). Refers to the spiritual gift of speaking in languages not known to the speaker. - εἰσέλθῃ (eiselthē): Comes in (Third person singular subjunctive of
eiselchomai– to enter, come in). Describes an outsider entering the gathering. - εἴτε (eite): Whether; or (A particle introducing alternative possibilities).
- ἰδιώτης (idiōtēs): An untaught person; layman; ignorant person (One who is unskilled, uninformed, or a private citizen not participating in public affairs. In a spiritual context, one unfamiliar with the spiritual gifts, especially tongues).
- εἴτε (eite): Whether; or.
- ἀκροαταὶ (akroatai): Hearers (Nominative plural of
akroatēs– a listener, hearer, disciple). Refers to those who are listening. - ἐὰν (ean): If.
- οὖν (oun): Therefore; then.
- πάντας (pantas): All (Accusative plural masculine of
pas– all, every). Refers back to all those speaking in tongues. - λαλῇ (lalē): Speaks (Third person singular present active subjunctive of
laléō). - γλώσσῃ (glōssē): Tongue (Dative singular of
glōssa). - ἐκ δὲ (ek de): But from; and from (Conjunctions indicating contrast or a continuation of the argument).
- καὶ (kai): And.
- τῇ (tē): The (Definite article, dative singular feminine).
- διαλέκτῳ (dialektō): Dialect; language (Dative singular of
dialektos– a specific mode of speech, a language or dialect. Here, implies the ability to speak in intelligible human languages, potentially as an aspect or counterpoint to speaking in ecstatic tongues). - εἰσέλθῃ (eiselthē): Comes in.
- οἱ (hoi): The (Nominative plural masculine definite article).
- εἰςελθόντες (eiselthente): Those who entered (Nominative plural masculine participle from
eiselchomai– having come in, having entered). Describes the outsiders. - ἰδιῶται (idiōtai): Untaught persons (Nominative plural of
idiōtēs). - ἢ (ē): Or.
- ἀκροαταὶ (akroatai): Hearers (Nominative plural of
akroatēs). - τοῖς (tois): The (Dative plural neuter definite article).
- ἐξελέγχεται (exelenchata): Is convicted; reproved; refuted (Third person singular passive present indicative of
exelenchō– to convict, refute, prove wrong). This refers to the effect of prophesy or intelligible speech. - ὑπὸ (hypo): By (Preposition indicating agency).
- πάντων (panton): All (Genitive plural of
pas). - τῶν (tōn): The (Genitive plural feminine definite article).
- διαλεγομένων (dialegomenōn): Those speaking (Genitive plural present active participle of
dialegomai– to speak, converse, argue, discourse). Implies intelligible discourse. - τὸ (to): The (Nominative singular neuter definite article).
- αὐτῶν (autōn): Their (Genitive plural personal pronoun).
- ἀποκάλυψις (apokalypsis): Revelation (Nominative singular of
apokalypsis– uncovering, revelation, manifestation. Implies divine insight being made clear). - γίνεται (ginetai): Is done; becomes; takes place (Third person singular present passive indicative of
ginomai– to become, happen, be made. Implies that a state or condition results). - οὕτως (houtōs): Thus; so (Adverb of manner).
- διαφόρως (diaphorōs): Differently; variously (Adverb. The meaning here is more nuanced, perhaps indicating distinctly or uniquely).
- γίνεται (ginetai): Is done; becomes; takes place.
- ἐν (en): In (Preposition).
- τῇ (tē): The (Dative singular feminine definite article).
- ἐκκλησίᾳ (ekklēsia): Church (Dative singular of
ekklēsia– assembly, church). - γλώσσαις (glōssais): Tongues.
- γλῶσσαι (glōssai): Tongues.
- ἀκούω (akouō): Hear (First person singular present active indicative of
akouō– to hear, listen. Here it implies how they perceive the speech). - πλημμυρῶ (plēmyrō): I overflow; am carried away by a flood (Here it is the speaker stating this of themselves: "I hear...")
- ἐὰν (ean): If.
- οὖν (oun): Therefore; then.
- συνέλθῃ (snelthē): Comes together.
- πᾶσα (pasa): All (Nominative singular feminine of
pas). - ἡ (hē): The (Nominative singular feminine definite article).
- ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia): Church.
- καὶ (kai): And.
- λαλῶσιν (lalōsin): Speak.
- γλώσσαις (glōssais): Tongues.
- εἰσέλθῃ (eiselthē): Comes in.
- τί (ti): What (Interrogative pronoun. "What will they say?").
- ἐροῦσιν (erousin): Will say (Third person plural future active indicative of
legō– to say, speak). - ὅτι (hoti): That; because (Conjunction introducing a subordinate clause, here introducing what the outsiders will say).
- μαίνεσθε (mainesthe): You are mad (Second person plural present passive indicative of
mainomai– to be mad, be insane. Used in a literal or metaphorical sense, meaning utterly beside oneself or out of control).
Summary of word analysis points:
- Conditional Construction: The verse begins with "If therefore..." (
ἐὰν οὖν) linking the present point to the prior discussion on tongues as a sign for unbelievers. - The Gathering: The scene is a collective church assembly (
συνέλθῃ... ἐκκλησίᾳ). - Universal Participation in Tongues: "All speak in tongues" (
ἄπαντες... λαλοῦσιν γλῶσσαις) emphasizes a hypothetical situation where everyone speaks simultaneously in the gift of tongues. - Inclusion of Outsiders: The crucial element is the entry of those outside the church's faith (
εἰσέλθῃ... ἰδιώτης ἢ ἀκροαταὶ). - The Accusation: The core of the verse is the anticipated response: "you are mad" (
μαίνεσθε). This implies utter confusion and a perceived lack of self-control by the outsiders. - Contrast Implied: The preceding verses established that unintelligible speech (tongues without interpretation) hinders rather than helps. The contrast here is between the orderly, intelligible proclamation that leads to conviction (
ἐξελέγχεται... ἀποκάλυψις γίνεται) and the chaotic, unintelligible speech that leads to condemnation (μαίνεσθε). - Purpose of Speech: The contrasting mention of
διαλεκτοῖς(languages/dialects) that can be understood and the resultant conviction highlights Paul’s underlying argument for understandable communication.
1 Corinthians 14 24 Bonus Section
The concept of "being mad" (μαίνεσθε) by outsiders could also reflect societal perceptions of ecstatic or highly emotional religious experiences throughout history. Early Christianity, with its charismatic expressions, sometimes faced accusations of frenzy or delusion from Roman society. This verse acknowledges that, without careful stewardship, spiritual gifts can indeed be misinterpreted and contribute to negative external perceptions. It highlights the pastoral responsibility to ensure that all public expressions of faith are clear and redemptive in their intention and effect, making the gospel understandable to all. The implication is that the church must be self-aware and considerate of its witness to the world.
1 Corinthians 14 24 Commentary
This verse underscores the essential need for intelligibility in corporate worship, particularly when unbelievers might be present. The gift of tongues, while a genuine manifestation of the Spirit, is presented as a sign potentially misunderstood by those outside the faith. If the primary characteristic of the worship is unintelligible, ecstatic speech without accompanying interpretation, the effect on a non-believer or an untaught person (idiotēs) would be one of bewilderment and suspicion, not edification or conviction leading to salvation. Paul's admonition is pragmatic: public worship must be orderly and comprehensible so that it can reveal God and draw people to Christ, rather than alienate them. This does not diminish the gift of tongues itself but regulates its public, uninterpreted use in favor of communication that builds up the whole body and reaches outsiders. The potential for such misunderstanding makes proper governance and interpretation crucial elements for a healthy church gathering focused on its mission.