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1 Corinthians 14:23

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

1 Corinthians 14:23

Verse 23 of 40

Scripture focus

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?

1 Corinthians 14:23 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:23

Theological / Devotional

Be come together. The case here brought to view is one that represents a perverted use of the gift of tongues. This gift was designed to be a sign to unbelievers (v. 22), but when exercised as at Corinth, with everyone speaking at the same time, the gift had the opposite effect.

Unlearned. Gr. ididtai (see on v. 16). Here the word seems to refer to persons unacquainted with the phenomenon of the gift of tongues.

Unbelievers. They may be either Jews or heathen. The mention of unbelievers shows that non-Christians attended Christian meetings. Perhaps they came from curiosity, or a desire to know something about the Christian religion. Like the “unlearned,” they too would be unable to comprehend what was going on.

Mad. Gr. mainomai, “to rage,” “to rave.” The word occurs elsewhere in John 10:20; Acts 12:15 ; 26:24, 25. The confusion resulting from the situation here mentioned could not convey any idea of truth or holiness to strangers or visitors who might be present. On the contrary, it would give a wrong idea of Christianity, creating the impression that it is a religion of confusion and nonsense.

By SdaBc