TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
Complete Jewish Bible
Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers.
Berean Standard Bible
Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.
American Standard Version
Wherefore 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.
World English Bible Messianic
Therefore other languages are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to the unbelieving; but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to those who believe.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Wherefore strange tongues are for a signe, not to them that beleeue, but to them that beleeue not: but prophecying serueth not for them that beleeue not, but for them which beleeue.
Young's Literal Translation
so that the tongues are for a sign, not to the believing, but to the unbelieving; and the prophesy is not for the unbelieving, but for the believing,
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In the KJVVerse 28,701 of 31,102
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Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14 verses 21–25
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 unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
24 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:
25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
In this passage the apostle pursues the argument, and reasons from other topics; as,
I. Tongues, as the Corinthians used them, were rather a token of judgment from God than mercy to any people (Co1 14:21): In the law (that is, the Old Testament) it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak to this people; and yet for all this they will not hear me, saith the Lord, Isa 28:11. Compare Deu 28:46, Deu 28:49. To both these passages, it is thought, the apostle refers. Both are delivered by way of threatening, and one is supposed to interpret the other. The meaning in this view is that it is an evidence that a people are abandoned of God when he gives them up to this sort of instruction, to the discipline of those who speak in another language. And surely the apostle's discourse implies, "You should not be fond of the tokens of divine displeasure. God can have no gracious regards to those who are left merely to this sort of instruction, and taught in language which they cannot understand. They can never be benefited by such teaching as this; and, when they are left to it, it is a sad sign that God gives them over as past cure." And should Christians covet to be in such a state, or to bring the churches into it? Yet thus did the Corinthian preachers in effect, who would always deliver their inspirations in an unknown tongue.
II. Tongues were rather a sign to unbelievers than to believers, Co1 14:22. They were a spiritual gift, intended for the conviction and conversion of infidels, that they might be brought into the Christian church; but converts were to be built up in Christianity by profitable instructions in their own language. The gift of tongues was necessary to spread Christianity, and gather churches; it was proper and intended to convince unbelievers of that doctrine which Christians had already embraced; but prophesying, and interpreting scripture in their own language, were most for the edification of such as did already believe: so that speaking with tongues in Christians assemblies was altogether out of time and place; neither one nor the other was proper for it. Note, That gifts may be rightly used, it is proper to know the ends which they are intended to serve. To go about the conversion of infidels, as the apostles did, had been a vain undertaking without the gift of tongues, and the discovery of this gift; but, in an assembly of Christians already converted to the Christian faith, to make use and ostentation of this gift would be perfectly impertinent, because it would be of no advantage to the assembly; not for conviction of truth, because they had already embraced it; not for their edification, because they did not understand, and could not get benefit without understanding, what they heard.
III. The credit and reputation of their assemblies among unbelievers required them to prefer prophesying before speaking with tongues. For, 1. If, when they were all assembled for Christian worship, their ministers, or all employed in public worship, should talk unintelligible language, and infidels should drop in, they would conclude them to be mad, to be no better than a parcel of wild fanatics. Who in their right senses could carry on religious worship in such a manner? Or what sort of religion is that which leaves out sense and understanding? Would not this make Christianity ridiculous to a heathen, to hear the ministers of it pray, or preach, or perform any other religious exercise, in a language that neither he nor the assembly understood? Note, The Christian religion is a sober and reasonable thing in itself, and should not, by the ministers of it, be made to look wild or senseless. Those disgrace their religion, and vilify their own character, who do any thing that has this aspect. But, on the other hand, 2. If, instead of speaking with tongues, those who minister plainly interpret scripture, or preach, in language intelligible and proper, the great truths and rules of the gospel, a heathen or unlearned person, coming in, will probably be convinced, and become a convert to Christianity (Co1 14:24, Co1 14:25); his conscience will be touched, the secrets of his heart will be revealed to him, he will be condemned by the truth he hears, and so will be brought to confess his guilt, to pay his homage to God, and own that he is indeed among you, present in the assembly. Note, Scripture - truth, plainly and duly taught, has a marvellous aptness to awaken the conscience, and touch the heart. And is not this much more for the honour of our religion than that infidels should conclude the ministers of it a set of madmen, and their religious exercises only fits of frenzy? This last would at once cast contempt on them and their religion too. Instead of procuring applause for them, it would render them ridiculous, and involve their profession in the same censure: whereas prophesying would certainly edify the church, much better keep up their credit, and might probably convince and convert infidels who might occasionally hear them. Note, Religious exercises in Christian assemblies should be such as are fit to edify the faithful, and convince, affect, and convert unbelievers. The ministry was not instituted to make ostentation of gifts and parts, but to save souls.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 21–25. Public domain.
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Apostolic ConstitutionsAD 380
Apostolic Constitutions (Book VIII), Section 1, I
These gifts were first bestowed on us the apostles when we were about to preach the Gospel to every creature, and afterwards were of necessity afforded to those who had by our means believed; not for the advantage of those who perform them, but for the conviction of the unbelievers, that those whom the word did not persuade, the power of signs might put to shame: for signs are not for us who believe, but for the unbelievers, both for the Jews and Gentiles. For neither is it any profit to us to cast out demons, but to those who are so cleansed by the power of the Lord; as the Lord Himself somewhere instructs us, and shows, saying: "Rejoice not because the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." [Luke 10:20] Since the former is done by His power, but this by our good disposition and diligence, yet (it is manifest) by His assistance. It is not therefore necessary that every one of the faithful should cast out demons, or raise the dead, or speak with tongues; but such a one only who is vouchsafed this gift, for some cause which may be advantage to the salvation of the unbelievers, who are often put to shame, not with the demonstration of the world, but by the power of the signs; that is, such as are worthy of salvation: for all the ungodly are not affected by wonders; and hereof God Himself is a witness, as when He says in the law: "With other tongues will I speak to this people, and with other lips, and yet will they by no means believe." [Isaiah 28:11; 1 Corinthians 14:21] For neither did the Egyptians believe in God, when Moses had done so many signs and wonders; nor did the multitude of the Jews believe in Christ, as they believed Moses, who yet had healed every sickness and every disease among them.
AmbrosiasterAD 384
COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES
The utterances of God are hidden beneath the veil of an unknown tongue, so that they should not be seen by unbelievers. Paul was saying that tongues are useful for hiding ideas from unbelievers.
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily on 1 Corinthians 36
Having shown then even from the prophecy, that the sign in question is not of great use, he adds, "Wherefore 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."
Great in this place is the difficulty which one seems to find arising from what is said. For if tongues are for a sign to them that believe not, how saith he, if they that believe not should see you speaking with tongues, they will say that "ye are mad?" And if prophecy be "not for the unbelieving, but for them that believe," how shall also the unbelievers gain thereby?
And not only this, but also after this another question hence springs up: since the tongue will appear on the contrary greater than the prophecy. For if the tongues are for a sign to the unbelieving, but prophecy to them that believe, that which draws in aliens and makes of the household, is greater than that which regulates those of the household. What then is the meaning of that expression? Nothing difficult nor obscure, nor contrary to what went before, but rather very agreeable to it, if we give heed: viz., that prophecy is suitable to both, but then tongue not so. Wherefore having said of the tongue, "it is for a sign," he adds, "not to them that believe, but to the unbelievers," and to them "for a sign," i. e., for astonishment, not so much for instruction.
"But in the case of prophecy too," saith some one, "he did the very same thing, saying, 'but prophesying serveth not for the unbelieving, but for them which believe.' For the believer hath no need to see a sign, but requires only teaching and catechizing. How then sayest thou," saith he," that prophecy is of use to both, when Paul saith 'not to the unbelieving, but to them which believe?'" If thou wilt accurately examine, thou wilt understand what is said. For he said not, "prophecy is not useful to them unbelieving," but, "is not for a sign," as the tongue," i.e., a mere sign without profit: nor is the tongue any way useful to believers; for its only work is to astonish and to confound; the word "sign" bring one of those which may be taken two ways.
Severian of GabalaAD 425
PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH
Tongues are a miracle in themselves. Prophecy, however, is a miracle in the substance of what it contains but not in the way in which it is uttered.
Gregory the DialogistAD 604
Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 29
What then, my brethren, because you do not these signs, do you not believe? But these things were necessary in the beginning of the Church. For that faith might grow, it needed to be nourished by miracles, because we also, when we plant shrubs, pour water on them only until we see that they have taken root in the ground; and once they have fixed their roots, we cease watering. Hence it is that Paul says: Tongues are for a sign, not to believers, but to unbelievers.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
First Corinthians 14:22 serves as a pivotal summary statement in Paul's discourse on spiritual gifts, particularly distinguishing the purposes of tongues and prophecy within the Christian assembly. Paul clarifies that tongues primarily function as a miraculous sign for unbelievers, intended to witness to God's presence and power, while prophecy is designed for the edification, encouragement, and instruction of believers, fostering spiritual growth and understanding within the church. This verse underscores Paul's overarching concern for order, clarity, and the building up of the body of Christ in public worship.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Paul employs several significant literary devices in 1 Corinthians 14:22 to underscore his point. The most prominent is Antithesis, or Contrast, where he sets up a direct opposition between the function of tongues and prophecy regarding their respective audiences. This is evident in the repeated "not... but" structure ("not to them that believe, but to them that believe not" and "not for them that believe not, but for them which believe"). This sharp contrast highlights the distinct purposes of the gifts and reinforces Paul's argument for the superiority of prophecy in the context of corporate worship. Furthermore, there is an element of Chiasm or Chiastic Structure in the verse's flow (A-B-B'-A'): Tongues (A) for unbelievers (B), while prophecy (B') for believers (A'). This creates a balanced and memorable statement that emphasizes the complementary yet distinct roles of the gifts. The use of the term "sign" for tongues also functions as Symbolism, where the miraculous speech acts as a tangible, observable indicator pointing to a deeper, divine reality—God's presence and judgment, particularly for those who reject Him.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is foundational for understanding the practical theology of spiritual gifts within the church, emphasizing that their value is determined by their contribution to the body's edification and the advancement of God's kingdom. It corrects the Corinthian church's likely overemphasis on the sensational aspects of tongues, reorienting them towards a more functional and Christ-centered view of gifting. The distinction between a "sign for unbelievers" and "edification for believers" highlights God's wisdom in providing diverse means to reach different audiences and meet varying spiritual needs. It also implies a principle of intelligibility in public worship, where clarity and understanding are paramount for spiritual growth, underscoring that God desires His people to be built up in knowledge and faith.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 14:22 provides enduring wisdom for contemporary churches regarding the exercise of spiritual gifts. It challenges us to evaluate our practices not by their perceived impressiveness or emotional impact, but by their effectiveness in building up the body of Christ and reaching the lost. For believers, the priority should always be on clear, understandable communication of God's truth, whether through preaching, teaching, or sharing personal testimonies, as this is what truly strengthens faith and promotes spiritual maturity. For those outside the faith, miraculous signs can indeed serve as a powerful witness, but even then, they must be handled with wisdom and interpretation to avoid confusion or misinterpretation. Ultimately, all gifts, including tongues, must be exercised in love and order, with the primary goal of glorifying God and edifying His people.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does this verse mean that tongues are never for believers, or that prophecy is never for unbelievers?
Answer: While 1 Corinthians 14:22 clearly states the primary purpose and audience for each gift, it doesn't imply an absolute exclusion. Paul's argument is about primary function and priority in public worship. Tongues, when interpreted, can certainly edify believers (as implied in 1 Corinthians 14:5). Similarly, prophecy, while primarily for believers, can convict and reveal the secrets of unbelievers' hearts, leading them to repentance and worship (as described in 1 Corinthians 14:24-25). The verse's main point is to guide the Corinthians on which gift is most beneficial for the corporate assembly given its specific audience.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The distinction between tongues as a sign for unbelievers and prophecy for the edification of believers finds its ultimate fulfillment and coherence in Christ. Jesus Himself was the supreme "sign" to an unbelieving world, performing miracles and wonders that attested to His divine authority and the inbreaking of God's kingdom (John 2:11). Yet, He was also the ultimate "Prophet," speaking the very words of God with unparalleled clarity and authority, revealing the Father and building up His disciples through His teaching and life (John 1:18). The gifts of tongues and prophecy, therefore, are extensions of Christ's own ministry: tongues, like the miraculous signs Jesus performed, serve to authenticate the divine message for those who are skeptical or resistant, pointing them to the God who acts powerfully. Prophecy, on the other hand, mirrors Christ's role as the living Word, building up the church through the clear proclamation of truth, just as Jesus consistently discipled and instructed His followers. In Christ, the purposes of both "sign" and "edification" converge, as He is both the divine demonstration for the world and the spiritual nourishment for His body, the Church (Ephesians 4:11-13).