What is the purpose of tongues according to 1 Corinthians 14:22?
First Corinthians 14:22 teaches that tongues—speaking in known foreign languages—served as a sign to the Jew. This sign connected to Deuteronomy’s warning that a foreign nation would invade Israel and speak a language the Jews could not understand.
Les explains that Deuteronomy 28:49 warned Israel that the Lord would bring a foreign nation from far, swift as an eagle, an enemy and invader whose tongue the Jews would not understand. That tongue was not an unknown tongue but a foreign language the Jews could not understand, and it was a warning to the nation that foreigners would be in their midst and they would not understand what they said. Les then connects this to 1 Corinthians 14, where Paul refers back to the Law in verse 21, speaking of men of other languages and other lips who would speak to this people by occupying them, taking tribute, and putting them under servitude. Yet for all that, they would not hear the Lord. Therefore, in verse 22, tongues—this ability to speak in languages—was for a sign to the Jew.
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.
More Questions
In 1 Corinthians 14:22, who is prophesying meant to serve?
In verse 22, speaking forth the Word, or prophesying, serves for them that believe, not for them that believe not.
Does prophesying serve believers or unbelievers in 1 Corinthians 14:22?
In verse 22, prophesying serves not for those who believe not but for those who believe.