1 Corinthians 14:22
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse highlights a fascinating shift in perspective: when tongues are used, the primary audience God is reaching is actually those outside the faith. Conversely, prophecy's main purpose is to build up and confirm those who are already believers.
Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is addressing the Corinthians' use of speaking in tongues during their worship services, a practice that was causing confusion and disorder. He's contrasting this with prophecy, which he sees as a more edifying gift for the church. This verse explains why he believes tongues are less useful for believers and more a public demonstration for outsiders.
Why did God give us spiritual gifts like speaking in tongues or prophecy? This verse tells us they have different divine purposes, aimed at different people.
Paul is unpacking the proper use and understanding of spiritual gifts in the Corinthian church. He makes a sharp distinction here:
A Sign for Unbelievers
Speaking in tongues, when unintelligible and not interpreted, serves as a sign directed at those outside the faith. It's a stark, perhaps even startling, display that can point to God's power and presence in a way that bypasses normal understanding. It's meant to provoke curiosity and inquiry, much like a foreign language would to someone who doesn't speak it.
A Sign for Believers
Prophecy, on the other hand—which Paul defines elsewhere as speaking God's message to people for their strengthening, encouraging, and comfort—is a sign for those already within the community of faith. It builds them up, confirms God's Word, and guides them. It's about edification within the body of Christ.
Is a spiritual gift helping or hindering the community? Paul prioritizes one gift over another based on its ability to build people up.
The core issue for Paul in 1 Corinthians 14 is the edification—the building up—of the church. He's frustrated that the Corinthians are prioritizing spectacular, but potentially confusing, displays over clear communication that strengthens believers.
Ask a follow-up
Paul wants the church's gatherings to be orderly and focused on mutual spiritual advancement. Gifts are for the common good, not personal spiritual exhibitionism.
Understand the original words
prophēteia · Greek Noun
The act of communicating a message, usually from God. In the Old Testament, it refers to a prophet's inspired utterance; in the New Testament, it is the gift of proclaiming God's truth to build up, encourage, and comfort the church.
apistos · Greek Noun/Adjective
A person who does not have saving faith in Jesus Christ. They are outside the covenant community and remain under the judgment of God unless they repent and believe.
sēmeion · Greek Noun
An action or event that points beyond itself to a deeper spiritual reality, purpose, or warning from God. Signs are intended to confirm the truth of God’s message or to provoke a response.
The Corinthian church was experiencing a mix of Jewish and Gentile believers, with varying understandings and practices of spiritual gifts. Paul's instruction on tongues and prophecy aimed to bring order and clarity, ensuring that worship was understandable and edifying to all, especially in a context where pagan oracles and ecstatic utterances were also known.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
The foundational event of Christianity, signaling the beginning of the New Covenant and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
c. AD 33
The Day of Pentecost
The Holy Spirit descends upon the early believers, empowering them and enabling miraculous spiritual gifts, including speaking in tongues.
c. AD 40-50
Early Church Growth and Missions
The Gospel spreads rapidly among both Jews and Gentiles, leading to the establishment of churches in various cities across the Roman Empire.
c. AD 50-52— this verse
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
The Apostle Paul founds the church in Corinth during his missionary journeys, facing unique challenges within this diverse and often contentious city.
c. AD 55
Paul Writes 1 Corinthians
From Ephesus, Paul addresses issues within the Corinthian church, including disputes, immorality, and the misuse of spiritual gifts.
This passage echoes the theme that the message of the cross, while foolishness to the world, is the power of God to believers, highlighting the contrasting reception of divine messages by believers and unbelievers.
Acts 2:4-11This account of the early outpouring of the Spirit shows people speaking in other tongues, which was understood by different nationalities present, demonstrating how a miraculous sign can be interpreted and lead to belief.
Romans 8:5-6These verses draw a stark contrast between minds set on the flesh and minds set on the Spirit, paralleling how prophecy appeals to the spiritual and tongues might appeal to a more external, potentially less spiritually discerning, perception.
1 Corinthians 14:23-25This immediate context directly explains how prophecy can convict unbelievers and bring them to conviction, thus serving as a sign for them as well, and how uninterpreted tongues can cause confusion rather than conviction.
This verse highlights a fascinating shift in perspective: when tongues are used, the primary audience God is reaching is actually those outside the faith. Conversely, prophecy's main purpose is to build up and confirm those who are already believers.
Paul is addressing the Corinthians' use of speaking in tongues during their worship services, a practice that was causing confusion and disorder. He's contrasting this with prophecy, which he sees as a more edifying gift for the church. This verse explains why he believes tongues are less useful for believers and more a public demonstration for outsiders.
Paul is addressing the Corinthians' use of speaking in tongues during their worship services, a practice that was causing confusion and disorder. He's contrasting this with prophecy, which he sees as a more edifying gift for the church. This verse explains why he believes tongues are less useful for believers and more a public demonstration for outsiders.
"Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers." — This verse highlights a fascinating shift in perspective: when tongues are used, the primary audience God is reaching is actually those outside the faith. Conversely, prophecy's main purpose is to bu…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
