1 Corinthians 14:22

Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.

Berean Standard Bible

Follow its threads on the canvas →

Study note

Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian church while correcting their disorderly worship gatherings. He immediately follows an Old Testament quotation in the preceding verse to clarify how spiritual gifts function when the assembly meets.

The words — The Greek term σημεῖον (sēmeion) literally means "a sign," framing tongues as a public marker rather than a private devotion. Paul pairs this with οὐ (ou), meaning "not," to sharply restrict that sign's primary audience away from those who already trust.

The thread — This pattern of disruptive divine signs targeting outsiders parallels the law's purpose for the lawless in 1 Timothy 1:9. The phenomenon also appears in Acts 2:6 as miraculous communication to foreign crowds and is promised to accompany believers in Mark 16:17.

Why it lands — The text demands that worship leaders evaluate whether their practices build up the believing community or merely confuse those who do not yet know God. It requires prioritizing intelligible prophecy over unintelligible speech when the church gathers with outsiders present.

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

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.

Cross-references

Acts 2:6 And when this sound rang out, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking his own language.
Mark 16:17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
1 Timothy 1:9 We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers,
Acts 2:32 God has raised this Jesus to life, to which we are all witnesses.
1 Corinthians 14:1 Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.