Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 14:23
So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who are uninstructed or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds?
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian congregation while correcting their disorderly exercise of spiritual gifts during corporate worship. He poses a rhetorical question to test the practical outcome of prioritizing tongues over prophecy.
The words — συνέλθῃ (sunelthē) means "shall gather" and ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia) denotes the assembled "church."
The thread — Outsiders misinterpreting spiritual phenomena appears in Acts 2:13, where bystanders mock the disciples as drunk. 1 Corinthians 11:18 records Paul noting divisions during church meetings, and Hosea 9:7 notes outsiders calling prophets fools.
Why it lands — The text asserts that unintelligible speech will cause uninstructed visitors to conclude the assembly is irrational. It requires worship leaders to structure gatherings so that external observers witness clarity rather than confusion.
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
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?
Cross-references
- Acts 2:13 But others mocked them and said, “They are drunk on new wine!”
- 1 Corinthians 11:18 First of all, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.
- Hosea 9:7 The days of punishment have come; the days of retribution have arrived—let Israel know it. The prophet is called a fool, and the inspired man insane, because of the greatness of your iniquity and hostility.
- John 10:20 Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and insane. Why would you listen to Him?”
- Acts 26:24 At this stage of Paul’s defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You are insane, Paul! Your great learning is driving you to madness!”