1 Corinthians 14:21

It is written in the Law: “By strange tongues and foreign lips I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to Me, says the Lord.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian assembly during a discussion on ordering spiritual gifts. He shifts focus from their pursuit of glossolalia to a scriptural principle about divine communication.

The words — The Greek ἑτερογλώσσοις (heteroglōssois) literally means “other tongues” or “foreign languages.” The phrase ἐν νόμῳ (en nomō) translates directly to “in the Law.”

The thread — Paul quotes a declaration from Isaiah 28:11 about God speaking through foreign lips to a stubborn people. This motif aligns with the judgment warnings found in Jeremiah 5:15 and Deuteronomy 28:49 regarding distant nations.

Why it lands — The text requires readers to measure spiritual phenomena by their capacity to convey intelligible truth. It demands that worship practices prioritize clear proclamation that confronts listeners with divine authority.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Isaiah 28:11 Indeed, with mocking lips and foreign tongues, He will speak to this people
Jeremiah 5:15 Behold, I am bringing a distant nation against you, O house of Israel,” declares the LORD. “It is an established nation, an ancient nation, a nation whose language you do not know and whose speech you do not understand.
Deuteronomy 28:49 The LORD will bring a nation from afar, from the ends of the earth, to swoop down upon you like an eagle—a nation whose language you will not understand,
Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.
John 10:34 Jesus replied, “Is it not written in your Law: ‘I have said you are gods’?