Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 14:24
But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian church during instructions on orderly corporate worship, specifying how spiritual gifts must function when outsiders attend the gathering.
The words — ἄπιστος (apistos) = unbeliever and προφητεύωσιν (prophēteuōsin) = prophesy. The text states that when everyone prophesies and an unbeliever enters, the prophetic speech directly convicts and calls him to account.
The thread — This dynamic of speech piercing the heart appears in Acts 2:37 where listeners are cut to the heart by proclaimed truth, and Hebrews 4:12 where God’s word exposes hidden secrets.
Why it lands — It requires worship gatherings to prioritize clear, convicting proclamation so that visitors encounter God’s presence through exposed truth rather than unintelligible noise.
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
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:
Cross-references
- Acts 2:37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
- Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
- John 4:29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”
- 1 Corinthians 2:15 The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment.
- John 1:47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, He said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit.”