Summary:
Paul tells the Corinthians not to remain childish in their thinking. He urges them to be innocent regarding evil but to develop mature understanding. He then cites the Scripture where God spoke to His people through foreign tongues, showing that unintelligible speech served as a sign of judgment to unbelievers. In the same way, tongues function as a sign for unbelievers, while prophecy serves those who already believe.
If the whole church speaks in tongues and an unbeliever or outsider enters, the person will not understand anything and will conclude that the congregation has lost its sense. But if the church speaks prophetically with clarity and truth, the unbeliever is confronted, convicted, and exposed in heart. The hidden thoughts are revealed, and the person falls down in worship, acknowledging that God’s presence is truly in the midst of the church.
Teaching:
Paul confessed that he spoke in tongues often, yet he still urged believers to pursue prophecy. The reason is that tongues are a sign given to individuals, while prophecy is a sign given to the church community. Therefore, believers should strive more to prophesy for the sake of building up the church.
“So then, tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is not for unbelievers, but for those who believe.”
Prophecy is for those who believe. Believers, when they hear truths that pertain to living by faith, grow in understanding. Tongues, however, are not understood—neither by the one speaking nor by those listening.
The most important element of prophecy is that “the secrets of his heart are disclosed.” Through prophecy, people come to know the reality that they themselves did not perceive. When this is revealed, they come to accept that Scripture is truth, they worship the God who speaks these words, and they confess that God is truly among His people.
Therefore, as those who attend church, we must make every effort to speak in ways that people can understand and be enlightened.
Excerpt from the sermon by Pastor Lee, Nov 17, 2025
1 Corinthian 14:20-25