1 Corinthians 14:24
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:
Original Language Analysis
ἐὰν
if
G1437
ἐὰν
if
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
1 of 16
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
προφητεύωσιν
prophesy
G4395
προφητεύωσιν
prophesy
Strong's:
G4395
Word #:
4 of 16
to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office
ἄπιστος
that believeth not
G571
ἄπιστος
that believeth not
Strong's:
G571
Word #:
8 of 16
(actively) disbelieving, i.e., without christian faith (specially, a heathen); (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing)
ἰδιώτης
one unlearned
G2399
ἰδιώτης
one unlearned
Strong's:
G2399
Word #:
10 of 16
a private person, i.e., (by implication) an ignoramus (compare "idiot")
ὑπὸ
of
G5259
ὑπὸ
of
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
12 of 16
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
ἀνακρίνεται
he is judged
G350
ἀνακρίνεται
he is judged
Strong's:
G350
Word #:
14 of 16
properly, to scrutinize, i.e., (by implication) investigate, interrogate, determine
Historical Context
Early Christian worship was public and evangelistic; unbelievers attended regularly (see v. 16, 23-25). Paul insists worship should convict outsiders through intelligible proclamation, not confuse them through incomprehensible speech.
Questions for Reflection
- How does prophecy 'convince' and 'judge' an unbeliever?
- What's the relationship between intelligibility and conviction by the Spirit?
- Should modern worship services be designed with unbelievers in mind? How?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned—Paul contrasts a prophecy-dominated service with the tongues-dominated one (v. 23). He is convinced of all, he is judged of all—the unbeliever is elegchetai hypo pantōn, anakrinetai hypo pantōn (ἐλέγχεται ὑπὸ πάντων, ἀνακρίνεται ὑπὸ πάντων, "convicted by all, examined by all").
Elegchō (ἐλέγχω) means to convict, expose, bring to light—the Spirit's work through prophecy (John 16:8). Anakrinō (ἀνακρίνω) means to examine, scrutinize, judge. Intelligible, Spirit-prompted preaching penetrates the unbeliever's conscience, exposing sin and revealing truth. This is true evangelistic power—not ecstatic display, but convicting proclamation.