1 Corinthians 14:20-25

Tongues, A Sign to Unbelievers

Paul appealed to the members of Christ's family at Corinth to quit being like children desiring the prettiest gift. Instead, he wanted them to be like men using good judgment to choose the most useful gift. Yet, he wanted them to take a child's approach to differences, bearing not one grudge (1 Corinthians 14:20).

The apostle quoted from Isaiah 28:11-12, which was originally used to tell Israel that God would speak to them regarding their stubbornness through their captors, the Assyrians. It shows that tongues were foreign languages. Further, speaking in tongues was not profitable unless it was understood by the hearers. Tongue speaking was used to convert unbelievers, while prophecy was used to teach believers (1 Corinthians 14:21-22).

Obviously, if all spoke in tongues at once, confusion would be the result. Such would drive unbelievers away. On the other hand, if all prophesied, the unbeliever would be convinced of his sin and see his need to respond to the gospel. Feeling the truths were directed at him, the unbeliever would be pricked in his heart (see Acts 2:37) and would respond. He would feel that God must have exposed his inner thoughts to the prophet and would recognize the speakers as God's ambassadors of truth (1 Corinthians 14:23-25).