1 Corinthians 14:23 Meaning and Explanation
“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?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →If the whole church spoke in tongues at once and outsiders came in, they would think the believers had lost their minds.
What Does 1 Corinthians 14:23 Mean?
Paul imagines a scene in the assembly to test his principle. The whole congregation is speaking in tongues together when newcomers, untaught visitors or unbelievers, step through the door into the confusion.
Their honest reaction would be that the believers are out of their senses. Paul cares about the impression the gathering makes on the seeker and the stranger, the very people the gospel hopes to reach. A meeting that bewilders the visitor has failed to welcome him. The Spirit's gifts are meant to draw outsiders in, not drive them away. Paul keeps the door open for the one who is still searching for God.
1 Corinthians 14:23 in the Original Language
idiōtēs (ἰδιώτης), 'unlearned' -- an untrained outsider, one without the inside knowledge to understand what is happening.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 14:23
What does 1 Corinthians 14:23 mean?
If the whole church spoke in tongues at once and outsiders came in, they would think the believers had lost their minds.