King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 14:23 Mean?

1 Corinthians 14:23 in the King James Version says “If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that ...” — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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

Context

21

In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

22

Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

23

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?

24

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:

25

And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

Read 1 Corinthians 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues—Paul imagines a corporate gathering where pantes glōssais lalōsin (πάντες γλώσσαις λαλῶσιν, "all speak in tongues"). And there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers—idiōtai (ἰδιῶται, "uninitiated, outsiders") or apistoi (ἄπιστοι, "unbelievers") enter. Will they not say that ye are mad? The rhetorical question expects "Yes"—maineste (μαίνεσθε, "you are insane, raving").

This is devastating to the Corinthians' view: far from being a positive sign (v. 22), uninterpreted tongues make Christianity look like insanity to outsiders. The word mainomai describes ecstatic religious mania (Acts 26:24, Festus tells Paul "you are mad"). Pagan mystery religions featured ecstatic glossolalia; to outsiders, Christian tongues without interpretation looked identical—religious frenzy, not divine revelation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Corinthian worship apparently featured simultaneous, uninterpreted tongues-speaking. To outsiders familiar with pagan ecstatic cults, this would confirm suspicions that Christianity was another irrational mystery religion.

Reflection Questions

  1. How would a visitor perceive a worship service dominated by uninterpreted tongues?
  2. Why is the charge of insanity ('ye are mad') particularly damaging to Christian witness?
  3. What modern worship practices might similarly confuse or repel outsiders?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
Ἐὰν1 of 22

“If”

G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

οὖν2 of 22

“therefore”

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

συνέλθῃ3 of 22

“be come together”

G4905

to convene, depart in company with, associate with, or (specially), cohabit (conjugally)

ἡ4 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐκκλησία5 of 22

“church”

G1577

a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth

ὅλη6 of 22

“the whole”

G3650

"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb

ἐπὶ7 of 22

“into”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τὸ8 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

αὐτὸ9 of 22

“one place”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ10 of 22

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πάντες11 of 22

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

γλώσσαις12 of 22

“with tongues”

G1100

the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired)

λαλῶσιν13 of 22

“speak”

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

εἰσέλθωσιν14 of 22

“there come in”

G1525

to enter (literally or figuratively)

δὲ15 of 22

“and”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἰδιῶται16 of 22

“those that are unlearned”

G2399

a private person, i.e., (by implication) an ignoramus (compare "idiot")

ἢ17 of 22

“or”

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

ἄπιστοι18 of 22

“unbelievers”

G571

(actively) disbelieving, i.e., without christian faith (specially, a heathen); (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing)

οὐκ19 of 22

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἐροῦσιν20 of 22

“say”

G2046

an alternate for g2036 in certain tenses; to utter, i.e., speak or say

ὅτι21 of 22

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

μαίνεσθε22 of 22

“ye are mad”

G3105

through the idea of insensate craving); to rave as a "maniac"

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Corinthians 14:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Corinthians 14:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 2:13Hosea 9:71 Corinthians 11:18Acts 26:24John 10:20

Test Your Knowledge

1 Corinthians 14 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Corinthians Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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