1 Corinthians 14:21 - Meaning and Application

In this passage, the apostle continues his argument by drawing on other parts of Scripture.

Tongues, as the Corinthians were using them, were more a sign of God’s judgment than of his kindness to any people (1 Corinthians 14:21). In the law, that is, the Old Testament, it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me,” says the Lord (Isaiah 28:11). Compare (Deuteronomy 28:46, Deuteronomy 28:49). Paul is likely referring to both passages, and both are warnings. The point is that it is a sign God has given people over when he leaves them only this kind of teaching, through a language they cannot understand.

Christians should not be eager for signs of God’s displeasure. God cannot be showing gracious care for those who are left only to such instruction, taught in words they cannot understand. They cannot benefit from that kind of teaching, and when they are left to it, it is a sad sign that God has given them up as beyond help. Should Christians want to be in that condition, or bring the churches into it? Yet that is what the Corinthian teachers were doing in practice, because they kept giving their messages in an unknown tongue.

Tongues were meant more as a sign for unbelievers than for believers (1 Corinthians 14:22). This gift was given to help convict and convert those outside the faith, so they might be brought into the church. But those who were already converted were to be built up through useful teaching in their own language. The gift of tongues was needed to spread Christianity and gather churches. It was meant to convince unbelievers of the very truth Christians already accepted. Prophesying, that is, explaining God’s truth clearly, was much better for strengthening those who already believed. So speaking in tongues in Christian meetings was out of place. Neither the gift itself nor its display belonged there.

To use gifts rightly, we need to know what they are for. It would have been useless for the apostles to go out to convert unbelievers without the gift of tongues and the use of it. But in a gathering of Christians who had already believed, showing off that gift was completely out of place. It would help no one in the meeting, because they already believed the truth. It would also help no one in understanding or growth, because they could not benefit from what they did not understand.

The reputation of their meetings among unbelievers also required them to prefer prophesying over speaking in tongues. If the whole church gathered for worship and the ministers, or everyone taking part, spoke in words no one could understand, and unbelievers came in, they would think the worshipers were crazy. Who in his right mind would carry on worship that way? What kind of religion leaves out sense and understanding? Would this not make Christianity look foolish to a pagan, hearing its ministers pray, preach, or worship in a language neither he nor the church understood?

The Christian religion is sober and reasonable in itself, and its ministers should not make it look wild or senseless. Those who do anything that gives that impression bring shame on their religion and damage their own witness. On the other hand, if instead of speaking in tongues they plainly explain Scripture, or preach the great truths and rules of the gospel in clear language, then a heathen or unlearned person who comes in will likely be convinced and become a Christian (1 Corinthians 14:24, 1 Corinthians 14:25). His conscience will be awakened, the secrets of his heart will be exposed, he will feel the truth’s judgment against him, and he will be brought to confess his guilt, worship God, and admit that God is truly among them.

Scripture truth, plainly and rightly taught, has a wonderful power to awaken the conscience and touch the heart. Is not that far more honorable for our religion than unbelievers thinking the ministers are all mad, and the worship nothing but frenzy? That would bring shame on both the ministers and their faith. Instead of earning praise, it would make them ridiculous and disgrace the whole profession. But prophesying would build up the church, keep the church in good standing, and might also convince and convert unbelievers who happened to hear. Religious meetings should be the kind that strengthen believers and also convince, move, and convert unbelievers. Ministry was never meant for showing off gifts and abilities, but for saving souls.