1 Corinthians 14:23
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?
Original Language Analysis
Ἐὰν
If
G1437
Ἐὰν
If
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
1 of 22
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 22
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
συνέλθῃ
be come together
G4905
συνέλθῃ
be come together
Strong's:
G4905
Word #:
3 of 22
to convene, depart in company with, associate with, or (specially), cohabit (conjugally)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκκλησία
church
G1577
ἐκκλησία
church
Strong's:
G1577
Word #:
5 of 22
a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth
ὅλη
the whole
G3650
ὅλη
the whole
Strong's:
G3650
Word #:
6 of 22
"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb
ἐπὶ
into
G1909
ἐπὶ
into
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
7 of 22
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτὸ
one place
G846
αὐτὸ
one place
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 22
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
γλώσσαις
with tongues
G1100
γλώσσαις
with tongues
Strong's:
G1100
Word #:
12 of 22
the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired)
ἰδιῶται
those that are unlearned
G2399
ἰδιῶται
those that are unlearned
Strong's:
G2399
Word #:
16 of 22
a private person, i.e., (by implication) an ignoramus (compare "idiot")
ἄπιστοι
unbelievers
G571
ἄπιστοι
unbelievers
Strong's:
G571
Word #:
18 of 22
(actively) disbelieving, i.e., without christian faith (specially, a heathen); (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing)
ἐροῦσιν
say
G2046
ἐροῦσιν
say
Strong's:
G2046
Word #:
20 of 22
an alternate for g2036 in certain tenses; to utter, i.e., speak or say
Cross References
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How would a visitor perceive a worship service dominated by uninterpreted tongues?
- Why is the charge of insanity ('ye are mad') particularly damaging to Christian witness?
- What modern worship practices might similarly confuse or repel outsiders?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.